SOCIAL WORK ETHICS

Issue in Child WelfareIssue in Child Welfare

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

1. To discuss how we define ethics.

2. To examine personal values related to ethics.

3. To briefly review key ethical principles.

4. To explore the distinction between ethical dilemma and practice dilemmas.

5. To review an ethical decision making model.

6. To participate in a group discussion regarding an ethical issue.

CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS

Rules and Regulations

Standards of Practice

Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas

KEY ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

INTEGRITY

A characteristic of individuals who “integrate” their values into their character & make ethical choices as a result. It requires three components: Knowledge of the right values The right motive (character) Doing the right thing (conduct)

SELF DETERMINATION

The capacity of an individual to determine the course of his/her life though the choices that he/she makes. Enables individuals to exercise freedom.

INFORMED CONSENT

Comes from need for self-determination and is based on the provision of complete & accurate information regarding the nature of the intervention & a discussion about the possible consequences of the intervention.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Requires the protection of information that is shared within the professional-client relationship. It allows for development of trust. There are exceptions based upon: Supervision and consultation Client consent Danger to self or others Suspicion of abuse or neglect Court proceeding

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Two specific elements must be present:1. A social worker is entrusted to exercise objective

judgment in the service of another party; and

2. The social worker has an interest that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the interest could interfere with the objectivity of the professional’s judgment.

ETHICS &VALUES DEFINED

Ethics – A philosophical discipline concerned with the morality of human behavior and right and wrong.

Values –The customs, principles and standards of conduct considered desirable by a culture, group of people, or individual.

ERHICS THEORY

Absolutism (Objective)

Absolutism (Objective)

Relativism(Subjective)Relativism(Subjective)

Teleological (Subjective)

Teleological (Subjective)

Deontological(Objective)

Deontological(Objective)

PERSONAL VALUES

How would you rank the following values from (1)

most important to (5) least important?

___ National Security___ Justice & Equality___ Spiritual Salvation___ Personal Joy ___ Family Loyalty

How might these values influence your practice?

VALUE INFLUENCES

CultureCulture EducationEducation

Personal ExperiencePersonal ExperienceEthnicityEthnicity

GenderGenderReligionReligion

Social ClassSocial Class GenerationGeneration

Profession Profession AgencyAgency Clinical CultureClinical Culture Client PopulationClient Population

DILEMMA DISTINCTIONS

Ethical Dilemmas When a social worker must choose between two or

more relevant, but contradictory, ethical directives, or when every alternative results in an undesirable outcome.

Practice Dilemmas When a social worker encounters two or more

potential courses of action in the delivery of services.

“CHILD PROTECTION”

Miriam is a child care social worker. She has been asked to work with Amina, a 13 year old girl alleged to have been sexually assaulted by an adult cousin. Miriam has removed Amina from her home in order to maintain her continued safety. Test results confirm Amina is 2 months pregnant and may be infected with HIV. Amina would like to give the baby up for adoption. Amina’s mother also consents to the adoption and believes it to be in Amina’s best interest. Since Miriam is now the working with the family, she must also sign the adoption consent forms. Miriam refuses to sign the consent citing strong personal beliefs that the child should remain a part of the family.

GROUP EXERCISE

What should Miriam do?

Do you agree with Miriam? Why?

What are the personal values impacting Miriam’s decision?

What are the ethical issues involved?

How should this issue be resolved?

ETHICAL AWARENESS

Be knowledgeable about social work values and the code of ethics.

Develop self awareness of your own personal values through critical reflection.

Use a frameworks to help clarify conflicting values and ethical dilemmas.

Understand that it is neither possible nor desirable to be totally neutral with respect to values.