Social workers acknowledge a responsibility to inform clients of their rights and help them to obtain appropriate services. Social workers should be acquainted with and sensitive to the cultures of clients and appreciate the differences among them in respect of their ethnicity, national origin, nationality, religion and custom. Social workers should recognise the ethnic and cultural diversity of the communities being served. Social workers have a primary responsibility to the clients.
Social workers recognise the central importance of human relationships and seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, maintain and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations and communities for the prevention and relief of hardship and suffering.
Social workers accept responsibility to update, upgrade and devote their professional knowledge and skills to the betterment of individuals and society, with the aim to empower people to act on their own behalves as far as possible. Social workers believe that each society, regardless of its form, should provide maximum benefits to its members. Social workers accept responsibility to advance social justice and to safeguard the cause of human rights. Social workers believe that individuals have the potential to develop and thus accepts a responsibility to encourage and facilitate the self-realization of individuals with due regard to the interest of others. Social workers respect the unique value and dignity of every human being irrespective of one's ethnicity, colour, family/social/national origin, nationality, culture, birth, sex, age, language, beliefs, political and other opinion, family/social/economic status, disability, educational attainment, contribution to society, or sexual orientation. Social workers' primary mission is to help people in need and to strive to address social problems.
They should also take reasonable and appropriate measures to monitor all staff under their supervision and other persons assisting them in delivering service not to violate the Code of Practice or jeopardize the interest of clients (2). Social workers should take adequate and appropriate measures and action to prevent, discourage, correct, or expose the unethical conduct of other social workers. They should also keep abreast of the laws of Hong Kong which may be amended from time to time. Social workers are required to cooperate in the implementation of this Code of Practice and abide by any disciplinary rulings based on it. It is applicable to any professional conduct of social workers. It represents standards of ethical behaviour for social workers in professional relationships with clients, with colleagues, with agency, with profession, and with society as a whole.
Under section 11 of Social workers Registration Ordinance, this Code of Practice will be used as a basis for adjudication when the conduct of a social worker is alleged to have violated the standards specified in this document. This document serves as a guide to the everyday conduct of social workers. To enhance public trust and confidence in the social work profession, the issue of a code of practice is essential. The primary objective of the Code of Practice is for the protection of clients (1) and the members of society at large. In accordance with Section 10 of the Social Workers Registration Ordinance (Chapter 505), the Social Workers Registration Board approves and issues this Code of Practice for Registered Social Workers "for the purpose of providing practical guidance in respect of the professional conduct of registered social workers (including ethical matters relating to such conduct)". Personal Data (Privacy) Oridanace - Data Access Request Form.Court Orders related to Registration Ordinance.Invitation for Contribution of Articles.Online System for the Voluntary CPD Scheme for RSWs.Rethinking on Professional Conduct of Social Workers – Casebook of Disciplinary Inquiries.Guidelines on Code of Practice for RSWs.Explanatory Guide to the Social Workers Registration Ordinance.Important Points to Note for Registered Social Workers (RSWs).Non-local Social Work Qualifications from other Countries/Regions.Recognized Non-local Social Work Qualifications.Rules in respect of Disciplinary Proceedings.Rules in respect of Pre-hearing Procedures for Disciplinary Proceedings.Explanatory Guide to Disciplinary Proceedings.Background of the Social Workers Registration Ordinance.Quarterly report of attendance to routine Board business.The Procedure of Vote Casting and Vote Counting for Election of Board Members.Guidelines for the Proceedings of Election Forum.Forum for Election of Board Members - Enrollment.Schedule for the Election of Board Members.Taskforce on Review of Code of Practice.Committee on Qualification Assessment and Registration.