In the social work profession, it is a requirement to have a thorough understanding of ethics and some of the ethical dilemmas that one can face. On my journey as a social work student one of my assignments was specific to ethical dilemmas. The ethical dilemma that I chose to write in this paper about was multiple relationships and violating counselor client boundaries. The class that I wrote this in was HMS 102 which was values of human services. The main topic of the paper focused on the negative effects of sexual relationships. It also discussed crossing boundaries with clients and having other relationships such as friendships or other kinds of attachments to the client. In my field placement at Hardin Memorial Hospital social workers may have to be carful not to cross boundaries with clients especially in such a small town in which you may possibly know or know of a client. In addition, my field instructor has made some related and valid points to me. First, Hardin Memorial Hospital is a local hospital in my home town. In a nutshell this means it is highly likely that I may come across somebody that I know, or somebody that a friend of family member knows. Due to this fact it can become easy or even tempting to show special treatment or discuss client information with others. Mt ethical dilemmas paper discusses how a good social worker must always put the client first and never take short cuts with clients, manipulate or deceive clients, or break confidentiality unless
However, social workers’ responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should be advised.” (Handout, Pg.
The following ethical principles are based on social work's core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence (NASW, 1999). These principles are to be used when assisting clients and their needs. Social workers also should be attentive of the impact on ethical decision making of their clients' and their personal values and cultural and religious beliefs and practices. They should be aware of any conflicts between personal and professional values and deal with them responsibly (NASW, 1999). Ethical dilemmas are
As a statutory adult social worker, I am responding to a service user’s self-referral regarding support for herself and husband, Ian, on hospital advice after Ian suffered a couple of falls. Jackie, 69, is a carer for Ian, 66, who has increasing needs due to dementia. My duty is to conduct a needs assessment for Ian and a carer assessment for Jackie to identify the impact upon their wellbeing, including the effect on relationships with others (Care Act, 2015: c23:p1:s1). The visit’s objective is to obtain better outcomes and maintain independence to enable Ian to remain at home for longer.
In the UK, policies for health, safety and security are not only give positive impact it also creates dilemma in relation to implement. Dilemma refers to a situation in which a difficult choice has to he made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones. There are different types of dilemma in safety. This includes * Resource implications
According to Reamer, there are two different types of boundaries. Boundary violations are usually unethical and exploitative in nature (2012). On the other hand, boundary crossing is unintentional deception, and manipulation (Reamer, 2012). Dr. Green should terminate her professor-student relationship because she crossed boundaries when she boosted Ava’s grades. 1.06 (c) of the code of ethics states, a social worker should set clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.
According to NASW Code of Ethics 1.09.c Sexual Relationships, “Social workers should not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with former clients because of the potential for harm to the client”. However, the ACA Code of Ethics A.5.c. Sexual and/or Romantic Relationships with Former Clients states “sexual and/or romantic counselor-client interactions or relationships with former clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are prohibited for a period of 5 years following the past professional contact”. This particular difference was used because it is one which I feel the NASW Code of Ethics places complete and proper attention to the welfare of the client regards such relationships. I believe the presence of having a relationship with a client, even 5 years after ending professional services, still poses a harm to the client.
In addition, challenges can arise when there is no commonality in identities or when identities between myself and a client are radically different. In these times, as a social worker who has a degree of power in a relationship with people seeking help, that I must acknowledge to myself that my power can impede on inclusively practicing and remain self-aware (Gelfand, Sullivan, & Steinhouse,
Introduction As an occupational therapy (OT) student at the University of Scranton, I have had the privilege of seeking the upmost educational experience that has fostered my knowledge and skills to be able to contribute to the field of OT. However, throughout some of my fieldwork experiences I had the unfortunate experiences of witnessing ethical dilemmas at some of my affiliations. Specifically, I will address the ethical dilemma I observed at my first Level II fieldwork. This summer I spent 12 weeks at a skilled nursing facility located in Staten Island, New York.
Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice 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).
What do you think the ramifications are if you do not "start where the client is"? If the social worker does not start where the client is, the consequences are that the social worker will give advice too soon/quickly and there will be no connection between the social worker at the client. Or in-depths assessment. Building rapport with the clients is one of the most important counseling skills to possess.
Thus, I could potentially go against rather than support the value of the importance of human relationships by refusing to disclose a client’s confidential information. Conversely, a third option would be to state that multiple families at Dickinson Academy are struggling to access affordable housing and suggest that we work together to develop a centralized fund to support the basic needs of all the homeless families, but the student and his family would not receive the full donation being offered. Involve and inspect the NASW Code of Ethics, local, state, and national laws, and agency policies. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) serves as a guide for the daily professional conduct of social workers, and it is easily referenced when values conflict (i.e. service and human relationships versus integrity). The Code of Ethics clearly states in standard 1.07: Privacy and Confidentiality that unless a client is a harm to himself or others or for compelling professional reasons, the student’s right to privacy and confidentiality should be upheld and
There are many social work skills that are important to implement especially in a group setting. The social worker facilities and set the tone in for the group. Genuineness, acceptance, respect, trustworthiness, empathy, sensitivity to diversity, and purposefulness are essential are important skills to imply in social work practice (DuBois, Miley, & O ' Melia, 2013). A key skill that I would adapt and use in the substance abuse group and to encourage Kali to join the group. Implementing respect within the substance abuse group will teach the group and Kai how to respect each other and themselves.
The beginning of the article discusses the ethical dilemmas during client support. It argues about two situations in which ethics needs to be considered. Some people argue that ethics is required in every case, while others disagree. However, the article says that value based decisions are needed in a social worker’s decision other than simply considering knowledge.
Despite social workers best efforts to keep their feelings in check and to respect differences, being confronted with situations in which their values and morals conflict with those of their clients is a common scenario. For example, one may feel uncomfortable dealing with clients because of his or her sexual orientation. This issue arises because of the practitioner’s religious affiliation which results in the practitioner being unable to accept homosexuality. Another example, a pregnant client, ask her pro-life social worker for help obtaining an abortion. As the act of abortion conflicts with the social workers’ values, they may feel torn.
In my social work field supervision, I am expected to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics as well as the state of Alabama code of Ethics. In social work field supervision, it gives me the opportunity to apply theory to direct and community practice with my clients. I also get a chance to learn from a veteran or seasoned social workers by observing, practicing, and experiencing the important integration of theoretical knowledge with practice skills while working with diverse populations and communities. This experience also help me build a sense of professional identity that I can only acquire in a practice setting. Field supervision also help to recognize and adhere to the core values and ethical principles of the social work profession.