Introduction

In line with the aims of Part Five, this chapter focuses on professional and interprofessional ethics in the context of different countries (see Figure 1.1). The authors use a case study to highlight the part that cultural, geographical, professional and ideological factors can play when working across multinational contexts (Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US). The chapter analyses the values espoused by social work and other professions similar to social work, and emphasises their deontological nature.

Social work is a profession that continually crosses boundaries. Typically these boundary crossings are along professional lines, as social work is often in host settings where other professionals dominate. At other times these boundaries are literally geographical crossings, for example across jurisdictional boundaries or catchment areas. When an explorer crosses boundaries, finding different values and belief systems is to be expected. When values and beliefs have similarities, the journey into new territory is made easier. This chapter will explore areas where interprofessional practice is bolstered by similar ethical stances across boundaries. The helping professions share many values and beliefs. However, there are also differences, making it easier for problems to occur. This chapter examines how clashing of professional values may be fuelled by organisational settings where differing interpretations of organisational policies or procedures foster disagreements over ‘best practice’. Ethical and value clashes are often not the real culprits in causing conflict. Rather, value and ethical dilemmas are blamed for problems that have their roots in structural barriers. If one embraces the understanding that professionals have shared values and beliefs, and that structural barriers are often the root of interprofessional ‘value clashes’, then creative approaches to overcoming difficulties can be found and implemented.

To make this case, a brief overview of the history of social work and its boundary-crossing traditions is presented. Next some of the research on interdisciplinary practice is highlighted. Finally, a brief summary of professional values and ethics is presented before looking at the case study.

History of social work

Professions are shaped by the social and political realities of their time and reflect the prevailing ideologies and values of the larger society (Goldenberg, 1971). In Europe and North America, the social upheavals of the Industrial Revolution shaped the development of social welfare, social work and social work education.