Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas In Social Work

A social worker may face an ethical dilemma when he or she is influenced by conflicting values including “professional roles, practice experience, individualized perspectives, [and] personal preferences” (Matisson, 2000, p. 211). In reference to case scenario 4, a social worker is faced with an ethical dilemma in deciding whether to signal the mother (Christina) to DYP or not to signal Christina to DYP as he or she is concerned for the safety of Christina and Manuel’s 3 children (ages 1-5). This dilemma stemmed from information that another client from the same aftercare program expressed regarding their concern for Christina’s sobriety, as Christina’s landlord had started smoking weed and hanging out in Christina’s apartment. Furthermore,
Furthermore, upon consultation with the supervisor, the social worker was advised not to signal DYP perhaps due to his or her preference for the harm-reduction approach. This is an ethical dilemma because on the one hand, the social worker would report to DYP given that the mother is potentially smoking weed at home which may cause imminent harm to the children as Christina has made irresponsible decisions in the past. Two core professional values are conflicted; the client’s self-determination versus the social worker’s mandate to protect vulnerable members of society. On the other hand, this information was only heard from a woman in the same community, therefore there is no proof of Christina smoking weed. Furthermore, the social worker may be concerned about Christina’s self-harm, which includes the extent to which Christina smokes weed and the impacts of Christina exchanging sex in return for rent. Another two value conflicts; the social worker’s duty to report only if there is evidence, and the clients potential