PROFESSOR AND STUDENT REPLIES

PROFESSOR REPLY #1 Dr. Janella Melius

specific ethical challenges arising in the circumstances of Covid-19 Option #3

“It isn’t easy to stay in contact with clients with lockdown in place. Social workers are fearful of conducting home visits in case they get the virus. Our clients in townships and rural areas, and informal settlements live in unhygienic circumstances anyway. So, the chance of them contracting Corona[virus] is high. Yet, telephonic counseling is challenging due to poor reception. Many clients also change their cell phone numbers, so you can’t get them. None of them have landlines. Skype, etc., is not viable due to data costs and reception. (Social Worker, South Africa)” (IFSW, 2020).

In light of this scenario, how should social workers balance client’s rights, needs, and risks against the personal risk to social workers and others to provide services as well as possible?

Reference

International Federation of Social Workers (2020). Retrieved from https://www.ifsw.org/ethical-challenges-for-social-workers-during-covid-19-a-global-perspective/Links to an external site.

STUDENT #2 Tifani Crowley

An “ethical dilemmas in social work practice as problematic situations whose possible solutions all offer imperfect and unsatisfactory answers in terms of what ethically should be done.” (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). In this option an ethical dilemma is privacy and confidentiality, and conflict of interest. Private and confidential information are items such as client’s identity, records, things a patient may tell you in private while speaking, and professional reports about the client (NASW, 2008).

It is important and ethical for social workers to respect clients’ right to privacy. There is no need for social workers to obtain personal information from a client unless it is going to be utilized to provide services or used to conduct and evaluation or research. Once the client provides personal information standards of confidentiality must be provided (NASW, 2008). When thinking about social media although this is a public platform and anyone can view information, social workers have to be careful when reviewing someone’s social media and what the intentions are when accessing the clients social media. If the social worker is searching social media the information that is being researched should be used to assist the client, if there is no clear information of what information is attempting to find on social media it may be best for the social worker not to access it, or it may be used as being untrustworthy on the social workers behalf. In this dilemma the privacy and confidentially of the client and anyone who is in their case or they provide information about will be affected. Depending on what is disclosed the social worker could possibly lose a client, lost trust from the client, receive some type of discipline from employer or possible lose their license if licensed.

Potential course of action can be for the social worker to recognize the problem. Once the problem is recognized confront the ethical problem. Investigate the variables involved. Determine what problems are involved. Determine what agencies are involved as it may be more than one agency involved. Then one must have to determine what involvement the agency has in the dilemma. The next step would be to weigh the variables and get feedback from others. Gain assistance from staff, and peers about the issue and get different views.

In our text (Kirst-Ashman,2018) the authors state that the social worker must first determine whether there is an issue, it is possible to study an ethical challenge after it has been discovered. The NASW code of ethics and the counsel of colleagues are both resources that can assist with determining the next cause of action. To avoid possible ethical dilemmas social workers should establish limits on email and instant messaging and should not be used outside of working hours. To assist the client if an alternative to service outside of normal business hours an alternative assistance, or a support group may be of assistance to the client.

References

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018). Empowerment series: Understanding generalist practice (8th ed.). CENGAGE Learning.

National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.aspx

STUDENT REPLY # 3 Gina Christini

Dual relationships in social work practice refer to situations where a social worker has multiple roles or relationships with a client beyond the professional one. These relationships can be either non-harmful or harmful, depending on the specifics of the situation (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). A non-harmful relationship may include occasional socializing. For example, a social worker attending a client’s wedding or birthday party, where they have appropriate boundaries and do not engage in therapeutic discussions. On the other hand, a harmful relationship may look like a romantic relationship. For example, a social worker becoming personally involved with a client is not only unethical but also compromises the client’s autonomy and therapeutic progress.

To consider if the dual relationship is harmful or not, there may be a couple of factors. One factor can be assessing whether the dual relationship blurs the boundaries between the professional and personal life of the social worker, creating confusion or conflicts of interest. This can disrupt the therapeutic progress made for the client, and have them focused on the wrong things.

Specific Ethical Dilemma: A social worker who has been working with a client for several years becomes romantically attracted to the client and is contemplating pursuing a romantic relationship with them.

Ethical Issues: The potential romantic relationship between the social worker and the client raises several ethical concerns. It challenges the principles of professional boundaries, objectivity, and the client’s autonomy. The social worker’s ability to provide unbiased and objective support to the client may be compromised, as personal emotions and interests can influence their decision-making and interventions. Additionally, the power dynamics inherent in the therapeutic relationship can make it difficult for the client to freely consent or voice concerns about the romantic involvement.

Values and Ethical Standards: The ethical values and standards that apply to this situation include the social worker’s commitment to the client’s welfare, the promotion of client autonomy, maintaining professional boundaries, avoiding harm, and upholding professional integrity.

Parties Affected: The client is directly affected, as engaging in a romantic relationship with the social worker can impact their well-being and compromise the therapeutic relationship. Other individuals indirectly affected may include the social worker’s colleagues, the agency, and the social work profession as a whole.

Potential Courses of Action: Terminate the professional relationship: The social worker could ethically decide to cease their professional relationship with the client, aiming to protect the client’s best interests and the integrity of the therapeutic process. This would involve referring the client to another qualified professional for ongoing support.

Oppose course of action: It is the social workers job to uphold professional integrity and avoid potential harm by maintaining boundaries and ensuring the client’s best interests are prioritized.

References:

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018). Empowerment series: Understanding generalist practice (8th ed.). CENGAGE Learning.