Privacy Principles, 2014). The information regarding Susan’s employment and earnings is most likely not collected by the community health centre. Therefore in her case, by law, it would be unethical for the worker to use or disclose her unsolicited personal information to Centrelink. The worker should also be mindful of the likelihood of facing a lawsuit owing to violation of the privacy principles.
• Ethical theories, principles and guidelines: Chenoweth and McAuliffe (2014 as cited in McAuliffe, 2014, p. 38) state that ethical theories facilitate decision-making process by applying moral philosophy to the presenting ethical issues and dilemmas. There are different schools of thought within moral philosophy; however the most commonly used ethical theories in social work practice are discussed below:
A Deontological perspective (duty-based Kantian ethics or non-consequentialism) of moral philosophy emphasises that ‘the ends do not justify the means’ (Rose, 2017, p.6). In other words, certain actions are generally considered right or wrong not because of the outcomes of those actions but because of their characteristics. Therefore, a deontologist might claim that given Susan’s fundamental right to privacy and confidentiality, it would be unethical for the social worker to reveal information to Centrelink. A deontologist
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That is, the consequences of an action determine if an action is right or wrong. This school of thought also states that when decision makers face an ethical dilemma, emphasis should be placed on the course of action that generates ‘‘the greatest good for the greatest number’’ (McAuliffe, 2014, p. 41). Therefore, a consequentialist might determine that disclosing Susan’s information to Centrelink will do more harm (to the public image of the organisation and the profession) than good (minimise welfare