Comparing the Ethical Code Implementation among Social Workers in Africa: Can Years of Experience Make a Difference?

Abstract

This study investigated attitudinal cognizance on knowledgeability and perceived turbulence among social workers’ implementation of Code of Ethics during practice in Africa. Furthermore, the study aimed to find out if years of experience in practice can have significant edge towards ameliorating ethical dilemmas on perceived turbulence or discordancy as well as knowledgeability cognizance of the ethical code in three study areas of Imo and Lagos State, Nigeria and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa respectively. The quantitative research approach was employed in the use of questionnaire in a survey of social workers (n-135). Data gleaned was analysed by use of descriptive statistics, multiple comparisons and Post Hoc Test. The Findings of the study revealed that while social workers knowledgeability on ethical code application have significantly correlated on years of practice experience, whereas the perceived turbulence ostensibly have limited correlations within the study areas. Moreover, the ethics on integrity of profession, professional responsibility, service delivery and competence/confidentiality account for the integer years of practice experience significant differences in the study. On the basics of the result, it was recommended that arrangements should be established to provide succour to support newer social workers in coping through the mandate and burdens of implementing ethics in practice milieu.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2305