National Association of Social Workers

From the Director

Standards: Profession's Guideposts

By Elizabeth J. Clark, Ph.D., ACSW, MPH

In 1955, seven social work organizations merged to form the National Association of Social Workers. One of the first areas of concern for the new organization was establishing standards for social work practice.

In reading some of the early history of NASW, producing standards of practice is an enduring theme. In fact, Article 2 of the NASW bylaws notes that a main purpose of the association is "to provide opportunity for the social work profession to work in unity toward maintaining and promoting high standards of practice."

The process of developing standards of practice has varied over the years. During the 1960s, the association began to clarify the nature of social work practice. After considerable debate, the 1962 Delegate Assembly approved private practice standards.

In 1976, "Standards for Hospital Social Services" were adopted. The standards were developed in collaboration with the American Hospital Association and the Society for Hospital Social Work Directors. They were put forth as a "useful tool for social workers and hospital administrators" that "should prove helpful in organizing and upgrading social work departments." These were expanded in 1981, and health was defined more broadly to include both physical and mental health as well as developmental disabilities.

Similar histories are found with other standards. The second set of specific professional practice standards were for social work services in schools. These were adopted in 1977 following a task force survey of social workers in schools.

In 1979, "Standards for Child Abuse Services" were developed in conjunction with the National Resource Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, which was jointly staffed by NASW and the American Public Welfare Association (APWA). APWA had the task of developing guidelines for agencies delivering child protective services, while NASW focused on standards for social work practice in protective services.

Twenty-five years later, NASW still considers setting the standards of practice a priority. Last year, NASW revised two standards — for long-term care and for social work practice with adolescents. The association also developed landmark standards for integrating genetics into social work practice.

In 2004, the standards for social work in health care settings and the standards for practice in child protection are being revised. Additionally, new practice standards for palliative/end-of-life care will be available shortly.

The process for setting standards has been streamlined, and a process for membership input has been added. Standards under development are posted on the NASW Web site for a 60-day comment period.

All completed standards are also available on the Web site.

I urge each of you to take time to review the practice standards. Broad input is needed. At the national office, we are aware that there may be important differences in practice depending on setting or geographic area. The more input we get, the better the product.

I also encourage you to download and pass around relevant standards in your office or agency. We want employers, our clients and other professionals to recognize that social workers adhere to the highest standards of practice.

Despite cutbacks, deregulation and difficult times, it is our standards that continue to guide our profession.

To comment to Elizabeth J. Clark: newscolumn@naswdc.org

For NASW standards: www.socialworkers.org/practice/default.asp

From January 2004 NASW News. © 2004 National Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.