Professional Social Workers are often faced with difficult real-life dilemmas where the correct choice isn’t well-defined, yet the consequences are substantial. The Identify-Analyze-Justify-Decide (IAJD) Model was designed The Rutland Institute for Ethics at Clemson University to help with difficult ethical decision-making and is flexible enough to be utilized in most situations. This framework, sometimes referred to as “The Ethical Toolkit”, studies a problem from three different perspectives: The Consequentialist Approach, the Deontological Approach and the Aspirational Approach. Looking at a dilemma through each of these lenses gives the decision-maker the confidence to make a decision. This paper will describe the Ethical Decision-Making …show more content…
The sister’s futures are at stake and depend on whether or not the girls are placed together in long-term placement. A good-fit placement could result in adoption with a forever family, providing a bright future for the children. A less desirable placement could result is the children being bounced around the system, or ending up back in a group home. Suzanne’s age and disorder make her less desirable for a family placement and are the main issues contribution to this situation. While this worker and the foster care system are marginally affected by this matter, Cindy and Suzanne are the main stakeholders in this dilemma. Their future is contingent on how they are placed, regardless of whether they stay together or …show more content…
The first is a commitment to clients, and the second is in regards to clients who lack decision-making capacity. According to the Code of Ethics (2008), a “social workers’ primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients.” While this standard isn’t knowingly in conflict with either outcome of this worker’s dilemma, the results could have major implications for either or both of the client’s wellbeing. The second ethical standard is similar in its implications, but involves the age of the clients: “When social workers act on behalf of clients who lack the capacity to make informed decisions, social workers should take reasonable steps to safeguard the interests and rights of those clients” (Code of Ethics, 2008). While it is apparent that the fates of both sisters are in the hands of this worker, the appropriate course remains