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Running head: ETHICS IN SOCIAL WORK 1

Ethics in Social work

(A case study of a Clinical social worker)

Name

Institution/Affiliation

ETHICS IN SOCIAL WORK 2

Introduction

As a professional clinical social worker, my primary responsibility is to guarantee the

well-being of people by fully meeting and fulfilling the basic human needs of various

individuals, by paying adequate attention to the different needs as well as supportive measures to

individuals who can be described as oppressed, susceptible and so forth. According to NASW

(2017), social work is well defined as the profession that focuses on achieving the well-being of

an individual complemented by that of the community. My responsibilities as a clinical social

worker are rooted and put in constant check by a set of core values; thus I embrace these core

values throughout my profession; the existence of these ethics is important as it offers guidance

to the conduct of social workers. Therefore, these guidelines and principles are very critical in

the field of social work, for example, I have 27-year-old woman convicted for child abuse,

though she repeatedly denies the charges that led to her incarceration. She wants to be provided

with counseling services so that her sentence is reduced leading to an early release; as such, her

demands results in potential ethical dilemmas. To be specific, clinical social work is presented by

a substantial diversion of dilemmas, and so, this essay seeks to analyze the various dilemmas

complemented by the legal implications that might be attracted.

The ethical dilemma

As a social worker, I am tasked with the mandate to enhance social change and justice on

behalf of my community, organization, family and so forth in the prison system. Baldwin (2013)

asserts that the cultural and ethnic diversity is among the few things that social workers are

highly aware of; therefore, social workers fight against social injustices, for example, oppression,

discrimination, and so on. For that reason, during my advocacy and other related activities, I am

faced with the situation regarding my client, a 27-year old woman charged with the offense of

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child abuse. My client has made a formal request that she should be accorded the opportunity to

receive guidance and counseling's services in the bid that she can have her sentence reduced on

the grounds of proper conduct; as such the decision I make on her appeal might attract various

legal implications. Nonetheless, as a professional clinical social worker, I am tasked with the

responsibility of meeting and fulfilling the demands of my clients by focusing on the well-being

of an individual complemented by societal well-being (Kelly et al., 2014).

However, I must make all my decisions following the Code of Ethics Standard 2.01(b)

which states that respect should be maintained when I am relating with me colleagues, which

guides the relations and conduct of a social worker. The demands of my client result into two

ethical dilemmas; despite, not being privy to the evidence that convicted her it is apparent that

she was found guilty by the jury, therefore, earning her sentence. Nonetheless, as a professional

clinical social worker I believe that I will have a difficult time working with my client having

been jailed because physically abusing her child. Thus, the ethical dilemma is underlined by the

decision at whether or not to offer her counseling services while acknowledging that I might

have personal bias considering my stance towards her crime. Bearing this in mind it will be

wrong considering the provision and requirements stipulated in the Standards of ethics 3.02(a) to

allow myself to offer her counseling services knowing that I reserve resentment and anger

towards her.

Conversely, the second dilemma revolves around the issue that by allowing her to access

guidance and counseling services she will end up getting her sentence reduced, thus she would

be released on the ground of proper conduct based on my recommendations. According to Oliver

(2013), a social worker has the mandate to prioritize the needs and the well-being of the society;

thus the dilemma is highlighted by the decision to whether or not to recommend the release of a

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criminal back in the society, having not entirely served her full sentence. To some extent, an

early release of my clients might further endanger or affect the life of her child, given that she

was jailed over the charge that she brutally abused her child

The Rutland Model

So that to enhance my decision making, considering the ethical dilemmas faced from the

situation of my client, I will use the provisions of the ethical decision-maker the Rutland model. I

will avoid breaking the rules and regulations by adhering to section 5.01(c) of the Code of Ethics

which states that a social worker has a responsibility to practice professional expertise towards

teaching the people I server. Kelly et al. (2014) assert that the Rutland Model has various

strategies and tools of convergence that are very significant to the IAJD, a fundamental

framework for decision making. Under the model, so that to make a formidable decision

regarding the requests of my client I will first be required to identify the issues as well as the

potential stakeholders that would be affected by the decision. Secondly, it is my responsibility to

analyze the issue at hand as well as to consider the available options that can make it easier to

avoid a crisis. Thirdly, I will need to get the points that would be sufficient and adequate in

justifying my decision, by entirely putting into consideration the consequences of my take on the

issue. Finally, it will be significant that I decide on the matter; as such I should be able to stand

by my decision and justify it confidently.

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To successfully, enhance my decision making on the ethical dilemmas I am confronted

with, the Rutland model will come in handy. Specifically, regarding my first the dilemma, I will

consider the potential implication of allowing and not allowing my client to receive counseling

services. Further, I will keep in my mind the rights of my client as well as aspirational ethics; and

so, by allowing my client to access counseling services, I will be promoting her wellbeing.

Nonetheless, as a professional clinical social worker, I believe that I will have a difficult time

working with my client considering she was jailed because she was physically abusing her child.

Oliver (2013) asserts that application of Standard of Ethics 1.06 (a) requires me as a professional

to cast aside my personal opinion and conflict of interest which states that social worker should

avoid conflict of interest so as to entirely offer efficient services to the client. Therefore, basing

on the framework of the Rutland model putting everything into consideration I will be able to

make a formidable decision on the matter.

Conversely, regarding the second dilemma I am faced with, by offering her the

opportunity to access counseling, her excellent conduct might have her released back to the

general community. For that reason, my recommendation might lead to the release of a criminal

without fully serving the sentence that she deserves. Before making my decision, it is essential to

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recognize that my primary focus is on the well-being of the client as such I should enable her to

relate to other people. As a consequence, by giving her that opportunity, I will be breaking the

self-determination requirement stipulated in the social work Code of Ethics 1.02 (a) which states

that a social worker may limit the right to self-determination of a client. According to Johnson

and Yanca (2007), social workers are required to respect the client's rights to self-determination;

however, this might be limited if the professional judgment of the social worker, that the client

poses a risk to others. For that reason, the requirements of the Rutland model will enable me to

make a proper ethical dilemma decision on the issue.

Legal Implications

Reamer (2013) asserts that social workers are often faced with a situation that can attract

both ethical and legal implications. Consequently, my decision might be analyzed in two

dimensions, first of all by allowing myself to offer my client counselling services bearing in

mind my personal bias towards her charges; my actions will not be in line with the legal

requirements and standards. As a clinical social worker, I am faced with a situation in which my

action may comply or violate the state law. Besides, if I make a decision not to act on the

demands of my client, the decision might be termed to be in accordance or total violation of the

existing law.

It is significant to be aware that I am faced with a situation where my actions may

comply or violate the requirements and ethical standards of social work. For that reason, my

failure to decide on the issue might be termed as an act of omission which might or might not

violate the right of the client. In consequence, the decision that social workers make when faced

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with circumstances that are intertwined and require legal or ethical choices, the decision must be

in line with both the law and the requirements of Ethical Standards 4.01 (c) which indicates that

professionals should display empirical knowledge in solving ethical dilemmas (Baldwin, 2013).

Personal and familial bias

Notably, the profession of clinical social work requires that individuals get to learn

various values that can be termed as very important to the achievement of the goals of the clients

being served (Kelly et al. 2014). My decision regarding the situation of my client's request might

be affected by my personal opinion that might end up clouding the professional judgment that I

am supposed to possess. Personally, I believe that child abuse is something that should be termed

as barbaric and my profession requires me to cast aside my personal opinion so that to entirely

offer efficient services to my client. This can be termed as the most challenging part of my

profession when it comes to ethical decision-making; however, my values are an essential part of

as they define the kind of person that I am as a professional. NASW (2017) asserts that social

work does require that social worker deny the value or the possibility of personal bias, but

encourages that individuals should keep them in mind so that they are very efficient in ethical

dilemma decision making.

Code of Ethics

My field offers specific standards that offers as a guideline in information of decision

made regarding social work which are compiled and advocated for by the National Association

of Social Workers (NASW) require that social workers uphold the promotion of a healthy

working relationship and coexistence with the clients. According to Reamer (2013), social

workers are tasked with the responsibility to abide by a set of core values that encompasses

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principles and frameworks for operations. Regarding ethical dilemma decision making social

workers need to comply with the standards of the standards that are appropriate so that to uphold

the dignity and integrity of the profession as well as the worth of the client. For instance, I hold a

hard stance towards individuals convicted with charges on child abuse; therefore it is essential

that I invest a lot of time working on my self-recollection and internalization of personal feelings

so that to efficiently deal with resentment. Throughout history, it is evident that social workers

can adapt to the various requirements stipulated in the Code of Ethics so that to fight efficiently

for competence, integrity, social justice and so forth. These values are enshrined in Ethical

Standards 5.01(d) which sights that social workers should have sufficient knowledge and

contribute to professional progress.

My Decision

Faced with the ethical dilemma, I will decide to refer my client to my other professional

colleague so that she receives counseling services; this is because my personal bias might

obstruct my professional judgment. As a professional clinical social worker, I believe that I will

have a difficult time working with my client considering she was jailed because she physically

abused her child, notably because of my resentment towards the crime. However, it is essential to

state that the decision that social workers make when faced with circumstances that are

intertwined and require legal or ethical choices, the decision must be in line with both the law,

thus to enhance the compatibility status (Badwin, 2013). Following the pre-existing law, the

federal court did find my client guilty of the charge of child abuse, thus ensuring that she was

sentenced to serve a six-year jail term. As a result, it is essential that I make a decision that

complies with both the pre-existing federal law.

ETHICS IN SOCIAL WORK 9

Further, by giving her that chance to offer counseling services, I will be breaking the self-

determination requirement stipulated in the social work Code of Ethics 1.02 (a). According to

Johnson and Yanca (2007), social workers are required to respect the client's rights to self-

determination; however, this might be limited if the professional judgment of the social worker is

that the client poses a risk to others. In consequence, as per my judgment, her release back into

the society will affect the life of her child, given that she was jailed over the charge that she

brutally abused her child. Thus, in making my decision, I must consider the result that will be felt

by the different stakeholders around my client, for example, the community, the family and so

forth.

Conclusion

Primarily, clinical social work is presented by a substantial diversion of dilemmas, and

so, this essay seeks to analyze the various dilemmas complemented by the legal implications that

might be attracted. During my advocacy and other related activities, I am faced with the situation

regarding my client, a 27-year old woman charged with the offense of child abuse, sentenced to

serve a six-year jail term has the potential of resulting in an ethical dilemma; as such the decision

I make might attract various legal implications. The appeal of my client results in different

dilemma ethical decisions that as a clinical social worker I am supposed to make considering I

am tasked with the responsibility of enhancing the well-being of my client as well as the society

in general. Specifically, so that to enhance my decision making bearing in mind the ethical

dilemmas faced from the situation of my client, I will use the provisions of the ethical decision-

maker the Rutland model, so that to avoid violating the rules and regulations stipulated in the

ETHICS IN SOCIAL WORK 10

Code of Ethics. The Rutland Model has various strategies and tools for convergence that are very

significant to the IAJD, a fundamental framework in decision making (Kelly et al., 2014).

References

Baldwin, C. (2013). Social work ethics and narrative. In Narrative social work: Theory and

application (pp. 59-72). Bristol: Policy Press at the University of Bristol. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1t89hwd.9

Johnson, L., C. & Yanca, S., J. (2007). Social work practice: a generalist approach. United States

of America: Pearson Education, Inc.

Kelly, T., Bronstein, L., & McPhee, D. (2014). Social work ethics crossing multinational and

interprofessional boundaries: Smooth passages and bumpy rides. In Jindal-Snape D. &

Hannah E. (Eds.), Exploring the dynamics of personal, professional and interprofessional

ethics (pp. 247-262). Bristol: Policy Press at the University of Bristol. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qgzd4.21

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National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics. Retrieved from

https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

Oliver, C. (2013). Including Moral Distress In The New Language Of Social Work

Ethics. Canadian Social Work Review / Revue Canadienne De Service Social, 30(2), 203-

216. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43486770

Reamer, F. (2013). Social Work Values and Ethics: An Overview. In Social Work Values and

Ethics, Fourth Edition (pp. 1-12). Columbia University Press. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/ream16188

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