Ethics In Social Work
ERASMUS MUNDUS MASTER IN SOCIAL WORK WITH FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
4TH EDITION
LITERATURE SEMINAR PAPER
MS. ROJIKA MAHARJAN
Social work ethics are the guidelines and principles for a social worker to take on complex cases during sensitive decision-making and its implementation, and attain a professional integrity. These are primarily focused on the protection of the clients and other members of society, and secondarily provide social work with the identity as a profession. (S. Banks, 1998, BASW, 1996, p.1). However, it can be argued that the ethical principles are evolving more as an agenda for studies, and depicting a picture of social work as a profession consisting of an ethical compass only. It can be a point of debate if the code of ethics …show more content…
can be/are being wholly adopted by a social worker during the actual implementation considering the diversity of cases, clients and community.
With regards to all the circumstances of Tracy, ethical dilemmas which may crossover if we apply a systemic approach are:
a) Conflict with dissemination of Information
The social worker can face an ethical dilemma regarding to whom and how the information of Tracy and her unborn child would be disseminated. For instance, implementing a systemic approach may require interaction with the father of the unborn child and his family as he has a major input to the condition that Tracy is facing. However, Tracy has chosen not to engage him in any role for the parenting of the child. Tracy is still a young child herself, and the social worker might have to explore beyond her choice. This directly contradicts with the ethical principle to always put client’s self-determination first and maintain confidentiality. The same dilemma may occur while information dissemination about her case with Tracy’s family, child protection unit, government authority, or even with educational institutions where Tracy may want to pursue her further studies ( with reference to table 6.1, Banks, 2008).
b) Issue of Informed Consent
The case requires legal, logical and emotional decisions to secure both Tracy and her child’s protection.
Given the fact that Tracy is still 14 years of age, and has no autonomy to give an informed consent, the social worker may be challenged with how he/she can acquire an informed consent; a necessary protocol to implement the action. In case of a minor, the parents have to provide with an informed consent before the intervention starts. In Tracy’s case, she has a disturbed relation with both her birth parents and her foster parents. When the parents don’t appear to be acting for the best interest of the child or the child herself disagree about the involvement of her parents, the social worker will have dilemma of how he/she shall proceed with the case (Henkelman & Everall, …show more content…
2001).
c) Structural Dilemmas
It is well understood that the government authorities are keen to monitor Tracy’s parenting and it impends strict rules upon her.
As T. Bertotti mentions, the structural dilemma refers to “the difficulty of balancing different ‘rights’: the needs for protection of children and the need to support the parents (Bertotti & Bicocca, 2010). The social worker may have to experience a workload of balancing the relationship with Tracy, deciding if staying with Leanne is favorable or not legally, and understanding the position of Tracy’s case in the social policy structures.
Handling these ethical dilemmas is contextual and situational, depending on the client and the client’s environment. Some ways to face these dilemmas are:
i) Consulting with a senior or supervisor who has knowledge and experience on complex cases with children. ii) Strong Focus on building a good rapport and trust based relationship with
Tracy iii) Giving Tracy opportunity to share both positive and negative feedback as she goes through each process iv) Rapport building with Leanne, and explore prospects on her offer for Tracy to live with her. She may be the support for Tracy during family group conference, visiting the support agencies, interacting with the government authorities, visiting the educational institutions and in other such situations.
v) Consulting with advocacy groups about the policy and law that surround Tracy’s case, and resources available for her.
4TH EDITION
LITERATURE SEMINAR PAPER
MS. ROJIKA MAHARJAN
Social work ethics are the guidelines and principles for a social worker to take on complex cases during sensitive decision-making and its implementation, and attain a professional integrity. These are primarily focused on the protection of the clients and other members of society, and secondarily provide social work with the identity as a profession. (S. Banks, 1998, BASW, 1996, p.1). However, it can be argued that the ethical principles are evolving more as an agenda for studies, and depicting a picture of social work as a profession consisting of an ethical compass only. It can be a point of debate if the code of ethics …show more content…
can be/are being wholly adopted by a social worker during the actual implementation considering the diversity of cases, clients and community.
With regards to all the circumstances of Tracy, ethical dilemmas which may crossover if we apply a systemic approach are:
a) Conflict with dissemination of Information
The social worker can face an ethical dilemma regarding to whom and how the information of Tracy and her unborn child would be disseminated. For instance, implementing a systemic approach may require interaction with the father of the unborn child and his family as he has a major input to the condition that Tracy is facing. However, Tracy has chosen not to engage him in any role for the parenting of the child. Tracy is still a young child herself, and the social worker might have to explore beyond her choice. This directly contradicts with the ethical principle to always put client’s self-determination first and maintain confidentiality. The same dilemma may occur while information dissemination about her case with Tracy’s family, child protection unit, government authority, or even with educational institutions where Tracy may want to pursue her further studies ( with reference to table 6.1, Banks, 2008).
b) Issue of Informed Consent
The case requires legal, logical and emotional decisions to secure both Tracy and her child’s protection.
Given the fact that Tracy is still 14 years of age, and has no autonomy to give an informed consent, the social worker may be challenged with how he/she can acquire an informed consent; a necessary protocol to implement the action. In case of a minor, the parents have to provide with an informed consent before the intervention starts. In Tracy’s case, she has a disturbed relation with both her birth parents and her foster parents. When the parents don’t appear to be acting for the best interest of the child or the child herself disagree about the involvement of her parents, the social worker will have dilemma of how he/she shall proceed with the case (Henkelman & Everall, …show more content…
2001).
c) Structural Dilemmas
It is well understood that the government authorities are keen to monitor Tracy’s parenting and it impends strict rules upon her.
As T. Bertotti mentions, the structural dilemma refers to “the difficulty of balancing different ‘rights’: the needs for protection of children and the need to support the parents (Bertotti & Bicocca, 2010). The social worker may have to experience a workload of balancing the relationship with Tracy, deciding if staying with Leanne is favorable or not legally, and understanding the position of Tracy’s case in the social policy structures.
Handling these ethical dilemmas is contextual and situational, depending on the client and the client’s environment. Some ways to face these dilemmas are:
i) Consulting with a senior or supervisor who has knowledge and experience on complex cases with children. ii) Strong Focus on building a good rapport and trust based relationship with
Tracy iii) Giving Tracy opportunity to share both positive and negative feedback as she goes through each process iv) Rapport building with Leanne, and explore prospects on her offer for Tracy to live with her. She may be the support for Tracy during family group conference, visiting the support agencies, interacting with the government authorities, visiting the educational institutions and in other such situations.
v) Consulting with advocacy groups about the policy and law that surround Tracy’s case, and resources available for her.