Dual Relationships In Human Services Essay

When looking at ethical dilemmas in human services one must be able identify and address the dilemma properly. Within the module for this week I am to evaluate three different dilemma scenarios and describe how I would approach each. In addition, I will be identifying what steps in the evaluation process I have used to make my decision on each ethical dilemma.

The limits and consequence of dual relationships from an ethical perspective in social work could lead to discrepancies between professional duties and ethical code. Frederic G. Reamer’s article, Boundary Issues in Social Works: Managing Dual Relationships addresses the case study of Angel Z which explains the role of social workers seem throughout three different categories, such as intimate relationship, altruistic gestures, and emotional and dependency needs; it also describes unethical behaviors portrayed in this field. Also, by exploring The Code of Ethics of Social Work the professional get a clear understanding of the dual relationship between ethical versus unethical behavior. Social workers must focus on rethinking the effects of dual

Many individuals opt for the field of social work so that others may grow and improve their way of life and have a stable living style. However, while providing this sort of help to the clients, it is important that social workers are aware of their ethical boundaries and have communicated this to their clients as well. Setting and maintain clear boundaries is a very important part of every profession. As far as social work is concerned where the worker directly influences the lives of his clients, this practice becomes more important as it has a direct impact on ones' professional integrity. Where we see number of complaints filed against the social workers for breach of ethical boundaries, it is important to understand what these limitations are and how to adhere to them.

Human service professional’s main focus is to successfully deliver and to meet human needs. As a professional for human services, an individual must have knowledge and commitment to delivering the highest quality level of services to their client or client’s issues to improve their client’s quality of living. Human services have several of roles depending on their professions. Some roles may include learning to build relationships with clients, finding the right resources for clients, additional training and technology skills. In addition to several of roles, as a human service professional, it is very important to practice the ethical responsibilities that come within human services when dealing with clients on daily basis.

Social work takes its values from various sources, including – Kantian, Utilitarian, Common Morality and Professional Codes of Conduct. Both the Kantian and Utilitarian theories cannot provide social work practice with a complete set of values and ethics. Both the theories have their limitation and strengths. Kant saw the world in black and white, even if a lie could prevent a greater evil the act of lying is fundamentally wrong. Utilitarian theory justifies actions by the end justifying the means. Social work concerns “respect for the person”, this idea originates from Kant, an eighteenth century German philosopher. Beauchamp (1996) defines the principle as a fundamental standard of conduct on which many other standards and judgements depend, a principle that provides an essential norm in a system of thought or belief. Common morality is the idea that all humans have an inbuilt awareness of certain moral norms e.g. murder is wrong, stopping a child running into the road is right. Western philosophy has been debating ethics and morality for thousands of years and still has not formalised a definition for them, so how can anyone truly understand? Furthermore, if the greatest philosophers throughout history have been debating ethics and morality, how can the common man truly understand it?

There is a great necessity for the code of ethics in social welfare. The first code of ethics was “adopted in 1960” and was a single page (NASW,1998, para. 8). The last major adoption was in 1996, which was similar to what we see today, in the 2008 edition. In this changing profession it is absolutely necessary for a social worker to have something to reference to when there is an ethical dilemma, because they will transpire from time to time (NASW, 1998).

The ethical guidelines for human service professionals mandate that, “Human service professionals respect the integrity and welfare of the client at all times.” (Freeman, S. J. 2000)

This essay will address the ethical dilemmas faced by social workers and how they address these ethical dilemmas when working with service users and carers. It will be illustrated that codes of practice and codes of ethics are of paramount importance when dealing with these dilemmas as they are ones that guide social workers as to how they should try and solve these dilemmas.

The Human Service Professionals are a group of individuals whose job is specifically to serve the society, educate them and work for the societal welfare at large. In the twentieth century, organizational ethics have gained immense importance in the corporate world. The need to adhere to ethical standards is even greater for the human service professionals and those who educate them. This is because any deviance from ethical standards can question the integrity of human service professions and can raise question on the standards of social welfare. This is unhealthy for the trust relationships of the society over human service individuals.

Chapter 3 explains the importance of ethical competence specific to the human services field. As a professional it is important to know and understand an organizations code of ethics, as it will be a reference tool in how to handle certain situations you are faced with. Human service professionals enter into the profession with a personal set of values, goals and ethical conduct but, must always remember that their actions should always reflect the values and ethics of the company they are now a part of (site). In the event of an ethical issue a professional should always refer the ethical standards to determine what action should be taken (site). Ethics are also in place to facilitate legal implications that stem from malpractice lawsuits.

The commitment to act ethically is an essential aspect of social work due to the effect it can have on the quality of the service offered to those who engage with us. Through group discussions in our foundations of social work practice I have become extremely ethically aware and now will always seek to ascertain and respect, as far as possible, each individual’s preferences, wishes and involvement in decision making. From discussions with my fellow classmates I have learnt to strive to respect and uphold the values and principles of the profession by making sure I promote and work towards the code of ethics wherever possible. This in turn enables me act in a reliable, honest and trustworthy manner having worked closely with service users in a professional setting and learned of their good and bad experiences with practitioners through the service user experience we undertook in class. I believe I am now in a good position to apply the social work ethical principles to my professional practice, in a way that seeks to empower my service users and enable me to emulate the best practice. In addition from reading social work journals and staying on top of news regarding the profession more generally I am knowledgeable about the value base of social work as a profession .

In conclusion there are ways to maintain the healthy relationship with your client. No matter when the dual relationship may occur, before during or after, it should be avoided at all cost if it jeopardizes the

The ethical principle of competence and integrity relates to my program in the sense that it served as a guideline for appropriate professional conduct as a social worker by focusing on the welfare of the clients and helping them lead better and improved lives through provision of the needed professional services. Social workers have the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner while discharging their services to clients (Barnett & Johnson, 2014).

In the human services field, personal ethical belief systems combined with professional ethics work in partnership to guide human service professionals in unraveling ethical dilemmas. An increasing number of professionals and clients seek out to define the fundamental policies of the human services field. Humans develop an integration of values, standards, and beliefs from birth throughout life. The values, standards, and beliefs developed through life assist in characterizing personal ethical belief systems. Our personal ethical belief system unites with our professional ethics to shape the ethical decision-making process. A code of ethics is essential

Looking back at my own experiences with working with the community and organizations, I have seen how important it is to have human relationships. Working as an Activity Assistant in a nursing home and a Navy Ombudsman provided many opportunities to see how relationships can be successful with working with others and creating bonds not only with individual, community