Kerridge et.al (2009), developed an ethical decision making model made up of seven steps to guide a social worker to identify both ethical issues and to evaluate the values of the identified issues (Kerridge et.al, 2009). This model is applied to the three options that are elaborated and illustrated in Appendix’s B. C. and D. The first step in the model is to ‘clearly state the problem’ which is the argument of self-determination and own wishes versus Sophie’s mother’s wishes and the law. This elicits questions such as ‘Is a sixteen year old girl mature enough to make the decision of termination?’
Profession Code of Ethics Comparison As a social work student, we are provided with the foundational education necessary to succeed in our profession. The National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics is the most significant publication because it “is intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers” (NASW Code of Ethics, 2017). For this assignment, we are charged with exploring other professional codes of ethics to gain a better understanding of how they may be similar or differ from one another. Therefore, I choose to explore the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics with the intention of conducting a comparison analysis of both documents.
In the UK, policies for health, safety and security are not only give positive impact it also creates dilemma in relation to implement. Dilemma refers to a situation in which a difficult choice has to he made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones. There are different types of dilemma in safety. This includes * Resource implications
The coursework in my major has taught me about theoretical foundations of social work ethics, methods to assessing individuals in need, and advocacy for social justice issues. The cross-cultural awareness that I have developed from my social work classes has broadened my perspective on the importance of making decisions based off of integrity and core values that affect many communities. I have recognized the significance of macro-level advocacy through intervention in politics to efficiently improve social conditions. My shift in path from micro to macro-level advocacy has developed through the continuous social injustice issues that has been brought to my attention and my belief in the importance of influencing legislation to promote change. Most importantly, the focus in my coursework on making morally good decisions has sparked my interest on understanding the principles of ethics.
Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43).
The beginning of the article discusses the ethical dilemmas during client support. It argues about two situations in which ethics needs to be considered. Some people argue that ethics is required in every case, while others disagree. However, the article says that value based decisions are needed in a social worker’s decision other than simply considering knowledge.
In the social work profession, it is a requirement to have a thorough understanding of ethics and some of the ethical dilemmas that one can face. On my journey as a social work student one of my assignments was specific to ethical dilemmas. The ethical dilemma that I chose to write in this paper about was multiple relationships and violating counselor client boundaries. The class that I wrote this in was HMS 102 which was values of human services. The main topic of the paper focused on the negative effects of sexual relationships.
As future social workers, it is imperative to understand our purpose and intentions for working with individuals, families, and groups representing the most vulnerable populations. In order to care, counsel, and treat these clients, we must act in accordance by following a guide of principles designed to help social work professionals conduct business with honesty and integrity (DuBose, 2016). The expectations for upholding specific ethics and values are described in the Code of Ethics by the National Association for Social Workers. The primary standards listed in this document hold all social workers accountable for the professionalism demonstrated in their practice. This extends to professionals working in clinical social work agencies as
It should not matter whether or not their personal beliefs on the specific matter conflict, nor whether or not others in society agree or disagree with the value as well. After all, it is a social workers job to serve and help their vulnerable citizens, isn't it? If a social worker does not apply the professional ethics of "Service" to their clients, what are they really there for? Even aside from the other 5 professional ethics, providing the clients in need with the proper and professional services should be the practitioner's first priority. This is because all other ethics cannot be put into practice if the social worker is not providing the help and resources that the client is in need of in the first place, therefore, making it impossible for the client to reach their maximum potential.
From time to time, social work practitioners face different challenges and one of such example is being confronted with ethical dilemmas. An ethical dilemma is defined as “when the social worker sees himself or herself as facing a choice between two equally unwelcoming alternatives, which may involve a conflict of moral values, and it is not clear which choice will be the right one” (Banks, 2012). Ethical dilemmas can occur in the context of either client or organisational-related conflict situations at work. The first ethical dilemma is when the patient refuses medical treatment and services because he or she would not accept that there is any problem.
An ethical dilemma happens when two or more ethical principles conflict with one another. Ethical dilemmas are problematic situations in which it is not clear which choice will be the right one. The CP is stuck as to what to do next because there is not just one outcome that will satisfy the ethical principles as stated in the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) Code of Ethics (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2012). According to the SASW (2017), the core values of social work are embedded in the ethical responsibilities, which are relevant to the professional activities of social workers.
• Identify three out of five skills or competencies you have acquired through participation in general education courses that will help you strive to meet your academic and career goals. Through participation in general education courses, there are a number of skills or competencies I have acquired that will help me strive to meet my academic and career goals. The three skills I have acquired are the following: apply ethics and moral reasoning to academic knowledge and societal concerns, exhibit clear communication skills through investigative research and writing, and utilize information technology skills appropriate to interdisciplinary studies. • Describe your three chosen skills and explain which activities, assignments, or courses helped you acquire them
There are many social work skills that are important to implement especially in a group setting. The social worker facilities and set the tone in for the group. Genuineness, acceptance, respect, trustworthiness, empathy, sensitivity to diversity, and purposefulness are essential are important skills to imply in social work practice (DuBois, Miley, & O ' Melia, 2013). A key skill that I would adapt and use in the substance abuse group and to encourage Kali to join the group. Implementing respect within the substance abuse group will teach the group and Kai how to respect each other and themselves.
Correspondingly, it will guide me to provide my clients with the ability to make informed consent. Additionally, this value is important to my future practice because it ensures that I become an advocate for my clients in every capacity, including human rights. Lastly, as a social worker, I will ensure that I work towards my clients being free from violence and the threat of violence (Heinonen & Spearman, 2010, p. 34). Secondly, as a social worker it is necessary that my practice is guided by my value of providing a service to humanity.
Social work is built upon the core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence (National Association of Social Workers, 2017). There are some instances when the intervention necessary might conflict with social work values. For example, social work promotes self-determination and autonomy of the client, but involuntary commitment takes that away. In this case, involuntary commitment was justifiable because it was believed that Mr. Smith posed as a danger to himself and without treatment his health would deteriorate. A study conducted on the ethicality of involuntary commitment found that, “Autonomy was sometimes held as a reason for involuntary treatment in order to promote autonomy or facilitate autonomous decision-making” (Sjöstrand et al., 2015, p. 10).
