One ethical issue related to Human Service practice is upholding the clients self-determination when they are suffering from a mental illness (client self-determination vs. mental health). Ethics are a branch of moral philosophy that deals with right (ethical) and wrong (unethical)(Dolgoff and Loewenberg, 1992). However they can also provide dilemmas such as the one being discussed in this essay. Ethical dilemmas are situations whereby there is a choice between equally undesirable alternatives that in turn involve moral values that appear to have equal validity (Banks, 2006). When dealing with such dilemmas it is important to refer to one of the ethical decision-making framework. These frameworks provide step-by-step guidance to help assist practitioners through complex decisions. There are four key models to refer to; The feminist and reflective model, The inclusive model, The ethical principles screen and the E.T.H.I.C model. However the one most suited for the current ethical dilemma is the Feminist model.
In order to choose the most appropriate model when faced with an ethical dilemma it is important to have a good understanding of the frameworks. Ethical decision-making models are designed around different ethical theories. These approaches consisting of the deontological approach, consequentialist (utilitarian) approach and the virtue approach. The virtue approach implies that an action is right if it is what a virtuous agent would do in the circumstances. (Brown, 2001). However the most common approach being used in practice is a combination of deontological and consequentialist. Deontologists justify there decisions by claiming to choose the option which is morally correct. The consequentialists justify there decision...
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...hoosing the framework most suited to the situation. Which is why the Feminist model was most adequate for the ethical dilemma, client self-determination vs. mental health in comparison to the other models.
References:
Banks, S. (2006). Ethics and values in social work (3rd ed.). Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Brown, C. (2001, April 16). Ethical Theories Compared. Retrieved May 13, 2014, from http://www.trinity.edu/cbrown/intro/ethical_theories.html
Loewenberg, F. M., & Dolgoff, R. (1996). Ethical decisions for social work practice (4th ed.). Itasca, Ill: F.E. Peacock Publishers.
McAuliffe, D., & Chenoweth, L. (2008). Leave No Stone Unturned: The Inclusive Model of Ethical Decision Making. Ethics and Social Welfare, 2(1), 38-49.
Reamer, F. G. (1990). Ethical dilemmas in social service (2nd ed.). New York: Columbia University Press.
Handon, R. M. (2014, December). Client Relationships and Ethical Boundaries for Social Workers in Child Welfare. The New Social Worker, (winter), 1-6.
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics (2010) proposes three core values of Social Work, respect for persons, social justice and professional integrity (pp.12). These core values establish “ethical responsibilities” for the social worker (AASW, 2010, pp.12), specifically, the value of respect for persons, which sustains the intrinsic worth of all human beings as well as the right to wellbeing and self determination consistent with others in society (AASW, 2010,p.12). This Code of Ethics stipulates the duty of care a social worker must provide, a...
Ethical Issues in Social Work I will provide practical help for new social workers to help them understand and deal with ethical issues and dilemmas which they will face. There are many ethical issues which are important to social work, but I feel that these are all covered by the care value base. The care value base Was devised by the care sector consortium in 1992, this was so that the workers in health and social care had a common set of values and principles which they would all adhere to. It is important because for the first time the social care sector had a clear set of guidelines from which ethical judgements could be made. The care value base is divided into 5 elements - The care value base covers - Equality and Diversity - Rights and responsibilities - Confidentiality - Promoting anti Discrimination - Effective communication Equality and Diversity Carers must value diversity themselves before they can effectively care for the different races, religions and differently abled people they will come across in their caring profession.
The National Association of Social Work's Code of Ethics is not only something that is crucial to someone in the field of Social Work but can also be applied to everyday life. These values in which the Code of Ethics mandates professionals to use are very important in knowing how to help clients in bettering their lives, and in help society as a whole become a better place. Service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence are all the core values of Ethics and should be learned and practiced by all, not only Social Workers (NASW, 2008).
Today there are institutional review boards that are designated to approve and monitor research studies to ensure ethical standards are being met (Dudley, 2011, p. 45). As social work practice becomes more evidence-based, the worker will have an increased obligation to advocate for conducting and consuming research that aligns with ethical standards. A practicing social worker can help ensure the ethical treatment of their clients by empowering them to take an active role in their treatment decisions and goals. Three important mandates of the Council on Social Work Education that are directly relevant to research are adhering to the values and ethics of social work, promoting an understanding and commitment to diversity, and promoting human rights and social and economic justice (Dudley,
National Association of Social Workers [NASW]. (1998). The New NASW Code of Ethics Can Be Your Ally: Part I. Retrieved from: http://www.naswma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=96
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Washington DC: Author.
Pojman, L. (2002). 6: Utilitarianism. Ethics: discovering right and wrong (pp. 104-113). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Ethics in the counselling and psychotherapy protects the client and the therapist involved in the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process as a whole; with the concepts that act as a guide for the therapists in provision of good practice and care for the client. The framework is built on values of counselling and psychotherapy; principles of trustworthiness, autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and self-respect, and provides standards of good practice and care for the practitioner (BACP, 2010). Ethical framework contributes to the development of the therapeutic relationship and process by assisting therapist’s decisions, and guides their behaviour and proceedings within their legal rights and duties. The ethical frame is structured on the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship and the therapists should be aware of their categories and be responsible for their forms. Monitoring and being aware of what goes on in and out of the room physically, emotionally and psychologically is primarily the duty of the therapist.
Banks, S., 2006. Ethics and Values in Social Work. 3rd ed. Hampshire, England.: Palgrave MacMillan .
The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43). In addition, ethical decision-making is a process that
An ethical dilemma is only examined in a situation which has the following conditions; the first condition takes place in a situation, when an individual has to make a decision on which course of action is best. The second condition is there must be more than one course of action to choose from. The third action is no matter what course of action is taken, certain ethical principles are conceded. In other terms, there is no perfect result. When defining what forms an ethical dilemma, it is important to make a division between ethics, morals, values, laws and policies.
National Association of Social Workers. (2016). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers Retrieved
Koocher, G.P., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2008). Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Throughout this course, I have learned essential ways to behave as a social worker. Prior to having this class, I was caught in an ethical dilemma at my former job. Without prior knowledge of ethical decision making models, I was able