At BPSW, everything revolves around supporting social workers in their professional development. An essential part of this is the professional code, which serves as a guideline in daily actions. To make this more accessible, BPSW, in collaboration with Yaacomm, developed an app that keeps the professional code and frameworks for professional conduct always within reach. We spoke with Jurja Steenmeijer, ethicist and director of the BPSW Academy, about the development of the Professional Ethics app and how it contributes to the daily work of social workers.
The Professional Ethics app is a valuable addition to the daily practice of every social worker. We can be proud of that.
Jurja Steenmeijer, ethicist and director of the BPSW Academy
From booklet to app: the logical step forward
“It’s not 1988 anymore,” laughs Jurja when we ask her why BPSW chose an app. “People had been asking for a digital version of the professional code for a long time. Of course, we had a booklet and a PDF, but in practice, you don’t always have them at hand. An app seemed like the solution to make the professional code more accessible to the entire profession. And you literally have it in your pocket. That encourages use and lowers the threshold for actually consulting the professional code.”
A professional code for practice
In daily practice, the professional code helps social workers explore ethical issues. “Sometimes ethics are seen as something that only plays a role in extreme situations, like life and death. But in reality, it’s about everyday dilemmas. How do you deal with privacy and confidentiality, for example? What do you do when a client tells you something but says you mustn’t tell anyone? These are questions that you continually encounter as a professional.”
The app ensures that the professional code is not only easier to consult but also used more often. “We see that professionals quickly pull it up, for example, during a meeting. That’s exactly what we wanted to achieve. The app makes it easier to make quick, good decisions in your work. This helps you provide better care, stand stronger in your shoes, and contribute to the further professionalization of the profession.”
Great popularity
Since its launch, the app has taken off tremendously. “It remains in the top 100 most downloaded apps in the reference category,” says Jurja enthusiastically. “At first, we thought: this needs time to spread like an oil spill. But when we saw the numbers, we were really surprised. The app is being used incredibly well. More and more organizations install it standard on work phones, and schools actively encourage students to use the app.”
Valuable collaboration with Yaacomm
Jurja is positive about the development process and collaboration with Yaacomm: “Yaacomm not only listened well to what we wanted but also proactively thought along and made something we really needed. That combination is essential for a successful app. And it’s great that we can maintain the app ourselves via the app dashboard. This way, we can quickly and easily keep app users informed of changes and news.”
The future: more interaction and AI?
Although the app is already a success, BPSW looks forward to further developments. “We’re looking at options for targeted push notifications to inform users even better without overwhelming them with messages. It’s also interesting to explore to what extent we can start using AI tools to better support professionals in professional deliberations. Of course, with an eye for all the ethical aspects that are important.”
For now, Jurja is especially happy with what’s already there. “The Professional Ethics app is a valuable addition to the daily practice of every social worker. We can be proud of that.”
