When A Policy Is Launched, Its Success Depends On A Variable

When a policy is launched its success is dependent on a variety of st

When a policy is launched, its success is dependent on a variety of stakeholders. As the politics of decision makers, executives, staff, clients, and social workers begin to influence the implementation process, their beliefs—and subsequent actions—determine the fate of the policy. Often, social workers must step out of their familiar social service roles and face challenges that involve ethical dilemmas and conflicts with their professional values. This raises important questions about how social workers handle the intricacies and challenges of policy implementation, both on personal and professional levels.

Policy implementation can be complex, especially when social workers encounter policies that conflict with their ethical standards or social work values. A common challenge is the temptation or temptation—or necessity—to undermine or resist certain policies perceived as unjust or harmful. Social workers may feel torn between adhering to organizational mandates and advocating for clients’ best interests, leading to potential acts of resistance or passive non-compliance. Such actions, however, raise ethical considerations rooted in the core values of social work as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, which emphasizes service, social justice, dignity, and integrity (National Association of Social Workers, 2017).

One key ethical issue social workers confront during policy implementation is the potential conflict between organizational policies and their professional obligation to foster social justice. For instance, policies that restrict access to services based on eligibility criteria or resource limitations may compel social workers to decide between enforcing policy and advocating on behalf of clients who are marginalized or vulnerable. In such scenarios, social workers may feel compelled to bend or selectively interpret policies to better serve clients, which raises concerns about professional integrity and ethical responsibility.

When faced with policies that seem to oppose their values, social workers can adopt strategies to promote ethically sound practice without contravening their professional standards. This may include engaging in advocacy, participating in policy reform initiatives, or seeking alternative means to serve clients within or outside the existing policy framework. For example, social workers can collaborate with community organizations, participate in policy dialogue, and leverage their professional voice in public forums to influence policy changes that align better with social work values (Jansson, 2018).

An illustrative case is the implementation of welfare reform policies that impose stricter eligibility requirements and work mandates. Social workers implementing such policies may witness increased hardship among clients, including homelessness, food insecurity, and emotional distress. Recognizing these impacts, social workers can focus on mitigating adverse effects through client advocacy, resource linkage, and policy feedback mechanisms. These efforts help protect client welfare while maintaining professional integrity, despite systemic limitations.

In my own experience, I encountered a policy aimed at reducing the number of emergency shelter beds for homeless populations. While the policy intended to allocate resources more efficiently, it risked pushing vulnerable individuals into unsafe and unstable living conditions. Implementing this policy was challenging because it conflicted with my ethical commitment to client safety and dignity. I faced the dilemma of following organizational directives versus advocating for alternative solutions, such as increased outpatient support or transitional housing. Ultimately, I chose to work with clients to access other resources and provided feedback to policymakers, emphasizing the importance of balancing resource allocation with client wellbeing.

In conclusion, social workers play a critical role in policy implementation, often facing ethical challenges that test their commitment to social justice and professional standards. They may attempt to undermine or resist policies that conflict with their values but must weigh these actions against ethical obligations and professional responsibilities. Through advocacy, coalition-building, and ethical decision-making, social workers can help ensure that policies serve the best interests of clients while remaining true to social work principles.

References

• Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
• Lane, S. R., & Humphreys, N. A. (2011). Social workers in politics: A national survey of social work candidates and elected officials. Journal of Policy Practice, 10(3), 225–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/15588742.2011.582809
• Kim, H., & Lee, S. (2018). Ethical dilemmas in social work policy practice: A review of recent research. Social Work & Society, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.19251/11-2-3514
• Reisch, M., & Sait, G. (2017). Ethical issues and policy implementation in social work. Journal of Policy Practice & Research, 8(2), 106–125.
• Ferguson, I., & Woodward, R. (2017). Social policy for social work: A critical approach. Sage Publications.
• Healy, L. M. (2014). The plight of social work ethics in policy practice. International Social Work, 57(1), 76–90.
• Harvey, J. (2014). An introduction to social policy and social justice. Routledge.
• Thompson, N. (2018). Understanding social work: Preparing for practice. Macmillan International Higher Education.
• Reamer, F. (2018). Ethical standards in social work: A review of the NASW code of ethics. Social Work Today, 18(1), 10–14.