Lecture 2 Flashcards
(35 cards)
Evolution of values and ethics:
Morality period
Values period
Ethical theory and decision-making
Ethical standards and risk management
Personal response from Frederick Reamer (2004)
‘I’ve broadened my definition of risk to include protection of clients, secondarily, social works themselves.”
Frederick Reamer (2008)
Minimise the risk of harm to clients and minimize the risk of ethics complaints and lawsuits. Since the mid-1990s. Focus of “personal responsibility” and somewhat moralistic position on the spectrum
Reamer 2011
Concerns of social media and the boundaries of dual relationships, confidentiality, privileged communication etc. “Ethics risk-management” the phenomenon of cybertherapy and eTherapy
What Felix Biestek had to say about evolution of values and ethics:
Individualisation Purposeful expression of feelings Controlled emotional involvement Acceptance Non-judgement attitude User self-determination Confidentiality (Caseworker relationship, 1957)
Values that are important for social work & human service practice (Reamer)
Respect of persons Valuing capacity for change Client self-determination Client empowerment Individual worth and dignity Commitment to social change and social justice Service to others Professional competence Professional integrity Realisation of potential Client privacy and confidentiality Non-discrimination Equal opportunity Respect and diversity Transmission of professional knowledge and skills
Purpose of practice
The purpose of practice is to position human welfare and human rights as a primary social responsibility, acknowledging that humanity exists in balance with the environment, and to celebrate and nurture the diversity of humanity. Social workers and human service practitioners are charged with the duty to respond, with passion, hope and care, to human need wherever and however it is manifested, and to work towards the attainment of social justice for individuals, groups and communities in a local and global context (Chenoweth & McAuliffe (2011), p. 16).
The ‘hub’ S/W & H/S Values
Humanity Positive change Choice Quality service Privacy Difference and diversity Valuing the environment
Distinctions
Ethical: issues problems dilemmas decision-making challenges
Opportunities
Continued professional development
Assured sense of competency
Potential to pass on practice wisdom
Threats
Weakening of boundaries
Temptation to misuse power or resources for personal gain
Risk to reputation
Areas of most controversy in social work and human service practice - ethical taboos
Multiple/dual realtionships Sexual and intimate relations Concrete assistance/gifts and loans Religious, spiritual and body-focused interventions Confidentiality and disclosure Imposition of personal values Impaired practice
Multiple/dual relationships
can set up unclear relationships, expectations and boundaries; particularly difficult in rural practice.
Sexual and intimate relations
issues of power, control, coercion, vulnerability-never acceptable to engage in a sexual or intimate relationship with a current client- issues in relation to former clients difficult to negotiate
Concrete assistance/gifts and loans
can blur relationship boundaries, cause offence if cultural issues, set up unequal relationships and expectations
Religious, spiritual and body-focused interventions
can be used as legitimate therapeutic interventions depending on context, but can also be misused if imposition of beliefs; requires attention to evidence base of practice
Confidentiality and disclosure
limits of confidentiality need to be explained clearly; duty of care can over-ride
Imposition of personal values
can seriously impact on client self-determination and lead to clients not being given all information that they are entitled to have
Impaired practice
can result from mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma or bereavement, vicarious trauma- a very serious issues that requires careful management
top 5 unethical bethaviours
Sexual encounter with a current client
Borrow money from a client
Agree to be named as a beneficiary in a clients will
Accept an ex-romantic partner a a client
Falsify statistics in order to ensure a service is maintained (National Ethical Conduct Research McAuliffe, 2004)
top 5 behaviours considered mostly ethical
inform clients about limits of confidentiality
break confidentiality if a client is suicidal
attend a clients funeral
report a serious criminal activity told in confidence
give a client a ride home in your work vehicle
top 5 scenarios where it depends on ethically correct
engage in recreational or social activities with clients
hug or embrace a client
share information about your personal or family life
give a client a ride home in your work vehicle
Accept a hand-made gift from a client
Other points of interest from survey
great debate about swearing with clients (matching language)
differences in rural and remote areas
more unethical to discuss (own) religious views with clients than praying with clients at their request
more unethical to discuss politics than religion
Differences between personal and professional relationships (from Beddoe & Maidment 2009, p. 93)
Professional: paid, time-limited, structured, power over other, greater responsibility, responsibility to other stakeholders, involvement requires preparation & training, contractual agreement within timeframes, can I work with this person
Personal: Voluntary, forever, spontaneous, more equal power, equal responsibility, responsibility to family or community as citizen, no preparation required, personal choice and natural processes, do i like this person?
