ETHICS CASE REVIEW KEY ASSIGNMENT

Oftentimes, social workers will be faced with situations where there is no clear decision to make when working with individuals or families. In these situations, social workers often rely on the profession’s Code of Ethics. Ethical codes embody the values of the profession and guide the behavior of social workers. Although the code of ethics does not always provide a clear direction when making decisions, it is a useful tool for identifying possible areas of difficulty, and it offers guidelines for social workers when making decisions.

The purpose of this assignment is to further understand the code of ethics and learn how to apply the code of ethics to a client situation(s). To accomplish this, you will choose two scenarios below, and respond to the questions outlined here:

1) Title page (page 1)

a. Include a running head, page number, title of your document, date of submission, course number, and professor name

2) Abstract (1/2 page)

a. Abstracts are typically written last and are a general summary of your assignment. It is included after your title page, before your introduction. Your abstract should be a single paragraph, written in 150-250 words and double spaced.

3) Ethics case review (your instructor will determine the page length)

a. Provide an introduction and then discuss the, or the potential, ethical violation in the scenario(s). Then, discuss any social work values, laws or regulations that pertain to the scenario. Explain why each one you list pertains to this scenario.

b. Using the Social Work Code of Ethics, identify aminimum of 3 ethical standards that can be applied to this case. Make sure to identify the specific number for each standard. Explain what aspects of that Code apply to the case.

c. For each standard identified in step b, discuss how a social worker would make decisions to resolve the ethical dilemma(s) in the scenario(s). Explain your answer.

d. Discuss personal values you hold as they relate to this case. What are differences between your values and the professional values as they pertain to this case? How might your personal values and your feelings influence your personal judgment about how to resolve this ethical dilemma?

e. Describe the role of the social worker in supporting ethical decision-making in this case. Describe also the roles of others who might serve on an inter-disciplinary team providing services to this client / these clients.

f. Describe how you would use technology ethically to protect the rights of the client(s) involved in this scenario. How can use of technology create the potential for ethical violations?

g. As a professional social worker, what additional information might you need to support your decision-making in this case? How will you ensure that you have access to continuing education to support your professional development in terms of ethical decision-making as you advance your career?

4) References

a. Following APA 6th edition, make sure that you have all of the in-text citations accounted for in this references section.

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Scenarios: (choose TWO)

Scenario 1: Carson

A school social worker provided services to Carson, who is a 12-year-old boy. Carson’s mother told the social worker that Carson seemed to be struggling with “sexual orientation issues”. The mother asked the social worker to keep this information confidential. One week later, the principal stopped by the social worker’s office and mentioned that she had received a complaint from another student that Carson had harassed the other student. The principal wanted to know “what was going on” with Carson and asked to see the social worker’s notes. The social worker hesitated with her response, and the principal insisted the social worker share whatever relevant information she had about her client.

Scenario 2: Preston Family

A social worker referred the Preston family to an educational consultant to help the family locate a specialized school for their son, Ryan, who had behavioral challenges and academic difficulties. Ryan was placed in an alternative high school in a neighboring community. As part of the school’s program, parents participate in monthly meetings of a support group. Coincidentally, the social worker’s son also attended this school. The social worker and his wife attended the monthly meetings, during which they had disclosed some personal information about their family’s life. The social worker was uneasy about attending these meetings with his clients present.

Scenario 3: Alicia

A 15-year-old high school student, Alicia, was referred to the school-based social worker who provides mental health treatment at a local school to help deal with her depression. For several months the social worker provided Alicia with counseling to help with her depression. Recently Alicia lost a great deal of weight; her physician contacted the social worker and expressed concerns about the possibility of a serious eating disorder. The social worker has a lot of clinical experience but did not have training in the treatment of eating disorders. The nearest specialist in treatment of eating disorders is 2 states away.

Ethical Scenario #4: Skye

A social worker working at a school with students with serious physical disabilities learned from the parents of one of the social worker’s clients, an 11-year-old girl named Skye, that they sleep with their daughter. The social worker expressed surprise and shared her concern about the sleeping arrangement. Skye’s parents explained that in their native culture it is common for children to sleep with their parents.

Ethical Scenario #5: Erica

Erica is 16 years old, and has a history of being sexually abused. She became

distraught one afternoon when she learned her mother was killed in a car accident. Erica asked the social worker if she would “please hold me, hold me, hold me” while they talked about her tragic loss.

Ethical Scenario #6: Anna

A social worker provides counseling to a 16-year-old girl named Anna, who is experiencing significant emotional turmoil. Anna’s parents are divorcing. During one session Anna told the social worker that she just found out she is 6 weeks pregnant. Anna said she wanted to terminate the pregnancy, but refused to give permission to the social worker to share this news with her parents.