Which section of the Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of maintaining professional competence?

The section that emphasizes the importance of maintaining professional competence is indeed focused on competence itself. This section outlines the responsibility of social workers to continually improve their knowledge and skills throughout their professional careers. It acknowledges that social work is a dynamic field that requires practitioners to stay updated on best practices, emerging research, and evolving societal issues to deliver effective services to clients.

This emphasis on competence ensures that social workers not only provide appropriate and effective support but also uphold the integrity of the profession. By regularly engaging in professional development, social workers demonstrate their commitment to ethical practice and the well-being of those they serve. Maintaining professional competence is seen as a critical element in safeguarding both the client’s interests and the standards of the social work profession as a whole.