Social work's wish to do good is situated in the core of the profession, and doing good and helping others is the reason that attracts people to social work in the first place. But what does the profession consider to be good and kind social work?  Good intentions and kindness are often connected to the professions values but values shift and differ over time and circumstances, so does the work itself. This literature study attempts to use the framework established by Leslie Margolin to capture what the profession views as a kind and well intended work, question its motives and analyze the findings through a critical lens. The study comprises a seemingly varied material to try to show how good intentions can be found in all aspects of social work. Good intentions are an integral part of how social work understands itself on several different levels, but at the same time the idea of good intentions as a professional value seems to create a disconnect from its professional expertise.

The thesis deals with the topic of ethical dilemmas of social workers who meet the victims of domestic violence in their practice. The thesis is theoretical in nature, supplemented with research. The first chapter is devoted to the topic of domestic violence, it especially describes specifics of social work with the target group and points to the possible causes of formation of the dilemmas when working with clients. The second part of the diploma theses shortly defines the concept of ethical dilemma and its place in the social work practise. There are also mentioned examples of possible dilemmas in social work. In this part the final theses draws particularly from the authors L. Musil, S. Banks, D. Nedělníková and M. Nečasová. Major part of the second chapter occupies with concrete ethical dilemmas that relate to social work with victims of domestic violence and with their detailed description. The ethic dilemmas were identified on the basis of research made with eight social workers. A semi-structured interview completed by observation was chosen as the method. The last chapter introduces the ethical theories of deontology, utilitarianism and care ethics. It points to the importance and benefit of ethical theories for practise of social work in general and for social workers themselves. Two chosen ethical dilemmas, identified on the basis of research, are reflected from a position of ethical approaches mentioned above.