Description

You are a chair of an ethical review board and a case has come to your review involving a social worker in a hospital.

You must review the dilemma and write your recommendation in the form of a memo, which will be shared with an interdisciplinary ethical review board for its consideration.

 

Alan is a social worker employed as a manager of a team of social workers in a major hospital. Paperwork on a recent admission shows that a traumatic mugging caused the client to require an adjustment in the medication she is prescribed to control a diagnosed bipolar disorder.

Alan is struck by the patient’s unusual last name, and upon checking her employment information realizes she is one of his daughter’s grade school teachers. Alan’s daughter seems very happy in her school, and he cannot violate client confidentiality by informing the school of a teacher’s mental illness; yet he is uncomfortable with a potentially unstable person in a position of influence and supervision over his 8-year-old daughter.

The link below will help with the ethical principles and standards.

https://www.socialworkers.org/about/ethics/code-of-ethics/code-of-ethics-english

 

Example Ethical Memo Below: USE THE CASE ABOVE TO COMPLETE THE ETHICAL MEMO.

This is a recommendation that attempts to resolve an ethical dilemma facing John Paul, a social worker with more than 5-years’ experience in the field, regarding a client that promised to buy him a luxurious Mercedes Benz for having helped his only child to adopt a positive social life and improve in their educational performance at school. Paul is stuck in a situation where he is not sure whether he should accept the expensive gift from a happy client or to reject as a way of maintaining his integrity as a social work professional. The recommendation determines whether he should or should not accept the expensive gift of a luxurious car that a happy client is ready to give him. Paul should make a prudent decision that maintains his professionalism and gives the client a good experience.

 

Synopsis of the Social Issue in the Case

 

John Paul is considered as a senior social worker in a children’s mental facility. He has helped his client’s child, a teenager, to develop a positive social life and improve their performance at school. The client is happy and would wish to reward Paul heavily because he managed to improve the social and mental condition of his (the client’s) only child. The client has always loved, and still loves his child so much because they sired him when they had lost hope in having a child of their own. Paul can hardly refuse to take the expensive gift of the latest Mercedes Benz from a happy client that has solely opted to reward him in good faith regardless of the ethical dilemma that comes along with act.

 

Identification and Explanation of Social Work Values and related Principles from NASW Code of Ethics

 

One of the major values of a social worker in accordance to the National Association of Social Workers codes of ethics in integrity. A social worker is obligated to behave and make decisions in a trustworthy manner. They should be honest and responsible in their behaviors and decisions.

 

Notably, John should not decide that are inconsistent with the values, mission, standards, and principles of social work as they are set out by the National Association of Social Workers codes of ethics. He should make an optimal decision that will not lead to the questioning of his integrity in his career. Importantly, he should ensure that he maintains honesty while dealing with his clients as well as the administration.

 

Identification of the related Ethical Principle

 

The ethical principle relate to this case is that Paul should adhere to the requirements of social work professionalism that always requires him to be honest and trustworthy while serving any client. Significantly, the administration of the children’s hospital will mainly be interested in the honesty of Paul in dealing with clients including the one that desires to give him an expensive car gift.

 

Identification of the Elements and Standards of Critical Thinking with the Corresponding Essential Questions relative to the Perception of the Dilemma

 

The integrity that is practiced by a worker while dealing with clients is essential in this case.

 

How should I go about this?

 

What is the right action to take?

 

Should I go against the provisions of my professional ethics?

 

Has the client exhibited any form of unethical or illegal behavior or act?

 

What theories support my action or decision?

 

Should I assume that all expensive gifts from clients are good or bad?

 

Am I relying on two options only?

 

What act can be just and fair for all the involved stakeholders?

 

Description of the Proposed Action

 

I propose that John should direct the client to give the expensive gift to the organization, that is the children’s hospital, instead of giving it directly to him. The institution can, thereafter, opt to give the gift to John or use it for the benefit of the organization. In case the client decides to present the gift to the organization, he can choose whether he wants the gift given to John or to the admiration. In this way, John will not have engaged in any questionable ethical dilemma that would affect his profession.

 

 

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