Approved by the 1996 NASW Delegate Assembly and revised by the 1999 NASW
                                                 Delegate Assembly

                    The NASW Code of Ethics is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional
                    conduct of social workers. This Code includes four sections. The first Section,
                    "Preamble," summarizes the social work profession's mission and core values. The
                    second section, "Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics," provides an overview of the
                    Code's main functions and a brief guide for dealing with ethical issues or dilemmas in
                    social work practice. The third section, "Ethical Principles," presents broad ethical
                    principles, based on social work's core values, that inform social work practice. The final
                    section, "Ethical Standards," includes specific ethical standards to guide social workers'
                    conduct and to provide a basis for adjudication.

                    The NASW Code of Ethics applies only to NASW members. If you believe a social work
                    member of NASW is in violation of this Code of Ethics, one of your options is to file a
                    complaint with NASW (see NASW Procedures for Professional Review [PDF; requires
                    Adobe Acrobat Reader]). If you are a member of NASW and you believe your employer
                    or agency has unfairly imposed limits on, or penalties for, professional action on behalf of
                    clients, or has violated their own personnel standards, one of your options is to file a
                    professional action or personnel standards complaint with NASW (see NASW
                    Procedures for Professional Review [PDF; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader]).

                    Contact NASW, Office of Ethics and Professional Review, 1-800-638-8799, ext. 624, for
                    instructions.