The purpose of this essay is to identify and explain how values can influence practice in social care settings. These values underpin anti-discriminatory practice and in turn are supported by various pieces of key legislation.
According to Miller1 there are two core values at the heart of social care. The first is "respect for the worth and dignity of every individual-2. The basis of this value is accepting the worth of each individual as a fellow human being. Thus responsibility is placed on the person being cared for to treat the carer with respect. Without this responsibility there is a danger that those receiving care become passive recipients of care and this would not allow them to fully participate in the caring process. .
The second core value is that of "granting social justice and promoting the social welfare of every individual-. "Social justice refers to the right to fair treatment in society, especially ensuring that legal rights. Social Welfare refers to ensuring that well-being is maximised, including the right to welfare services and benefits-3. .
A value is that which is desirable or worthy for its own sake, something which has intrinsic worth. Out of these two core values Miller derives a set of principles - which are the practical manifestation of these values - they have as their basis the value of treating everyone as worthy of respect, of giving everyone social justice and promoting their social welfare. Some other theorists refer to these principles as values in their own right.
1 Social Care Practice, Janet Miller, 1996.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
In Miller's view the provision of social care should be influenced by the following principles (or values) of: -.
promoting acceptance.
maintaining privacy and confidentiality.
promoting the right to protection from abuse.
promoting choice.
empowerment and risk taking.
promoting the value and dignity of the individual.
promoting fulfilment and potential, and.