Practising ethically during COVID-19: Social work challenges and responses

ABSTRACT

This article draws on findings of an international study of social workers? ethical challenges during COVID-19, based on 607 responses to a qualitative survey. Ethical challenges included the following maintaining trust, privacy, dignity and service user autonomy in remote relationships;allocating limited resources;balancing rights and needs of different parties;deciding whether to break or bend policies in the interests of service users;and handling emotions and ensuring care of self and colleagues. The article considers regional contrasts, the ?ethical logistics? of complex decision-making, the impact of societal inequities, and lessons for social workers and professional practice around the globe.