Ethical decision making to a true-to-life scenario in social work practice

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Apply ethical decision making to a true-to-life scenario in social work practice. This activity takes place in the Discussion Board, but you do not need to respond to your peers. This Discussion works as follows:

• .
• Review the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Review the Ethical Decision-Making Tree.
• Review the scenarios below and choose one to respond to for this Discussion.
Scenario 1
You are in the first weeks of your internship, and you hear the employees discussing a client in the hallway. They are using terms like “junkie,” “loser,” and “hopeless.” How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 2
You are terminating with a client, and the client asks if they can take a picture of the two of you together to post on their social media page. They want to say how great you were. What are some considerations before responding to their request?
Scenario 3
You are doing an intake on a new client, and they tell you that they recognize you from your church. You do not know “specifically” who they are—but they do seem familiar. How do you respond to this?
BY DAY 3
• Within the context of your agency, explain what your first choice of action would be based on the scenario you chose, and explain why you made that choice. Support your answer using the NASW Code of Ethics and your agency policy when applicable.

BY DAY 6
• Imagine that each scenario has changed in the following way:
Scenario 1
You overhear the colleagues share that the client stated he wanted to “die,” and if he didn’t get admitted, he would “kill himself.” One of the colleagues stated, “He always says that—he’s never going to go through with it. Just ignore him.”
Scenario 2
After talking with your field Instructor, who has told you “no,” you find out that the client has already snuck a picture of the two of you and has posted it on their social media page.
Scenario 3
After talking with your supervisor, and addressing your conflict with the client, they still want to proceed with you as their social worker. During the session, the client admits that they have been having an affair with the pastor, and they have been stealing from the offering tray.
• Respond by explaining what your next steps would be in the situation, and explain why you chose those steps.

Sample Solution

Scenario 1:

Initial Response:

In this scenario, my first course of action would be to address the unprofessional and disrespectful language used by my colleagues. While I understand that working with challenging clients can be emotionally draining, using derogatory terms is unacceptable and violates the NASW Code of Ethics.

  • NASW Code of Ethics:

    • 1.01 Respect for the Dignity and Worth of the Person: Social workers shall treat each person in a caring and respectful manner, recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of all people.
    • 1.04 Discrimination: Social workers shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 1 age, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other basis that violates human rights.  
      1. www.casperycc.org
      www.casperycc.org

  • Agency Policy: I would consult my agency’s policies on workplace conduct and discrimination.

My approach would be:

  1. Direct Observation: I would privately and respectfully approach one of the colleagues and express my concern about the language used. I would explain that such language is unprofessional and disrespectful to the client.
  2. Team Meeting: If the issue persists, I would consider bringing it up in a team meeting, emphasizing the importance of respectful and professional communication within the workplace.
  3. Supervision: I would discuss this situation with my supervisor, seeking guidance on how to best address the issue within the agency’s framework.

Revised Scenario:

In the revised scenario, where the client expresses suicidal ideation, the situation becomes more urgent and requires immediate action:

  1. Client Safety: My primary concern would be the client’s safety. I would immediately inform my supervisor about the client’s statement and inquire about the agency’s protocol for assessing suicide risk.
  2. Client Assessment: I would conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment, inquiring about the client’s specific plan, intent, and access to means.
  3. Safety Plan: I would collaborate with the client to develop a safety plan, including identifying support systems, coping mechanisms, and emergency contacts.
  4. Consultation: I would consult with my supervisor and potentially other mental health professionals to determine the appropriate level of care for the client, which may include hospitalization.

Ethical Considerations:

  • Confidentiality: While maintaining client confidentiality is crucial, it must be balanced with the need to ensure the client’s safety. In this case, breaching confidentiality to ensure the client’s safety is justified.
  • Duty to Warn: In some situations, there may be a duty to warn potential victims if the client poses a danger to others.

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