ipl-logo

Ethical Issues In Social Work Practice

1764 Words8 Pages

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). In addition, ethical …show more content…

At my agency, the Children’s Village, there is not a specific policy that prohibit accepting gifts from the clients; however, there are ethical guiding standards that employees should follow in regards to client-worker relationship consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics. For instance, standard 1.06(a) recommends social workers to “avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgement” (NASW Code of Ethics, 2017, p. 10). Even though this ethical standard does not prohibit accepting gifts, it sends a clear message to social workers about the risks related to taking gifts from clients. In fact, the NASW Code of Ethics advices that accepting gifts from clients represent the risk of such action to be interpreted as bartering by the client. As a result, if the worker accepts the gift, there is a risk that the client may expect the worker to pay back with work related favors. Therefore, standard 1.13(a) advices social workers to “avoid accepting goods or services from clients as payment for professional services” (NASW Code of Ethics, 2017, p. …show more content…

While the NASW Code of Ethics provided some guidance in terms of conflicting principles and values, it did not guarantee that I made the right decision. As noted by Freud and Krug (2002), the Code promotes extreme idealistic values and principles that are subjected to be interpreted differently by practitioners with different ideologies, political affiliation and cultural beliefs (p. 475). Undoubtedly, my decision-making process was highly influenced by the shared cultural affiliation between my client and I. Culturally, Maria and I share the belief that gift giving is an act to be enthusiastically

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of The NASW Code Of Ethics

    505 Words  | 3 Pages

    Values and Ethics The NASW (2010) and the Texas Department of State Health Services provide a foundation on how social workers interacts with clients, colleagues, practice setting, and their environment. This code of ethics and Code of Conduct provide to the social workers with ethical responsibilities and values in practice setting. By analyzing this ethical responsibilities and values in practice setting it is easy to identify the ethical responsibilities I am currently using. The Texas Department of State Health Services [TDSHS] has a Code of Conducts for social workers that provides a standards of behaviors need to follow as to stay professional and avoid damaging clients’ lives and self. For example, The NASW (2010) describes an ethical principle to practice setting in which 3.07 Administration is describes has advocating for adequate services for clients to

    Read More

  • Ethical Issues In Social Care

    1268 Words  | 6 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • What Are Ethical Issues In Nursing

    436 Words  | 2 Pages

    The study of ethics, moral conduct and decision making regarding ethical issues in nursing is a vital component of nursing education. Nurses may be confronted almost on a daily basis with the need to make nursing decisions when there is no right or wrong answer. Nurses will at times feel caught in the middle (Pavlish et. al, 2011). This dilemma demonstrates how easily ones nursing practice can be significantly altered.

    Read More

  • Human Services (NOHS) Ethical Standards

    884 Words  | 4 Pages

    The client-helper relationship is the epitome of social work. And, the helper must take his/her responsibility to their client seriously. NOHS (2015) standards 1-9 promote respect, confidentiality, negotiation and recognition of the client’s right to self-determination and informed consent. Standard 2, which refers to informed consent, is by far the most important code in the section as it sets the parameters of the client-helper relationship.

    Read More

  • Ethical Dilemmas In Health And Social Care

    359 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Dual Relationships In Social Work

    680 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Clients interest are primary”. 1.01 of the code of ethics protects the clients from being exploited by the social worker. Nonetheless, dual relationships can occur

    Read More

  • NASW Code Of Ethics Comparison

    907 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Childhood Cancer Ethical Issues

    903 Words  | 4 Pages

    Social workers main ethical responsibility is to ensure that the patient is receiving the proper care that they are entitled and that the patient is the main

    Read More

  • Ethical Theories In Health And Social Care

    1543 Words  | 7 Pages

    Ethical theories are ways of telling right from wrong and include guidelines of how to live and act in an ethical way. For example when faced with a difficult situation in your life, you can use ethical theories to assist you in making the right decision. One key theory is consequentialism, which says that an individual’s correct moral response is related to the outcome/ consequence of the act and not its intentions/ motives. Early writers on this theory were Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, a modern writer is Peter Singer. For example Brenda Grey has asked for the asthma specialist to visit her weekly, and to decide if this is necessary the professionals involved have to look at how it would affect her wellbeing.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas In Social Work

    974 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Social Work Ethics Case Scenarios

    1659 Words  | 7 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Ethical Dilemma In Social Work Case Study

    1589 Words  | 7 Pages

    An ethical dilemma happens when two or more ethical principles conflict with one another. Ethical dilemmas are problematic situations in which it is not clear which choice will be the right one. The CP is stuck as to what to do next because there is not just one outcome that will satisfy the ethical principles as stated in the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) Code of Ethics (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2012). According to the SASW (2017), the core values of social work are embedded in the ethical responsibilities, which are relevant to the professional activities of social workers.

    Read More

  • Explain Why Did The Nasw Create A Code Of Ethics For Social Workers

    714 Words  | 3 Pages

    NASW Code of Ethics (Guide to the Everyday Professional Conduct of Social Workers).Washington, DC: NASW. April 17, 2017. When it approaches ethics, morals, and values, there will not always be one correct answer, but the Code gives a guide to decision making when ethical issues or conflicts do arise.

    Read More

  • Ethical Dilemmas In Social Work Essay

    1789 Words  | 8 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Personal Values In Social Work

    700 Words  | 3 Pages

    Values and Ethnics The NASW code of ethics core social work values is heavily active until this day. The code of ethnic its self is a set of guidelines for the ethnically practice of social work. The core value found in the code of ethics is Social justice, service integrity, importance of human relationship, dignity and worth, and competence. This code of ethics reflexes the relationship of the worker to the client and the worker. These codes of ethnic are placed to improve and establish rules and boundaries from social workers to clients and the importance of the ethnical value its place for the helping of the social worker.

    Read More

More about Ethical Issues In Social Work Practice

Open Document