Professional And Personal Boundaries : The Children Act

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.

Social workers face complex ethical issues in every aspect of their profession. This work is often ethically challenging because it involves direct contact and interaction with individuals who are vulnerable. There are many factors that influence our decision making especially when working with at risk youths, we often face challenges in wanting to take on certain roles to protect our clients. These roles often conflict with our professional obligations. When our personal and professional values conflicts, our decisions may affect the individual, family, group, community and the organization.

There are certain guidelines, expectations and ethical codes to be adhered to in all disciplines in the healthcare system and social work is of no exception to this. The following piece shall explain how the social work discipline requires from its members, that they obtain a professional identity and assimilate this identity not only into their work life but also into an extensive amount of their private life as well. Clients and/or patients have to place an enormous quantity of trust, reliance and dependence into the integrity of the professionals in these fields of practise. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics, (2010). Informs: “The social work profession values honesty, transparency, reliability, empathy, reflective self-awareness, discernment, competence and commitment”. Also: “Members of the social work profession apply knowledge and skills in ways that prioritise the needs of others over their own personal gain”. (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010). To be indicted of ‘unprofessional’ conduct is a formidable disgracing mechanism and being branded as ‘unprofessional’ would be probably the worst label that could be affixed to a social worker. This would also of the highest probability end in the practitioner being dismissed from duties, if found to be guilty of the offence of ‘professional misconduct’, and then eventually fully, disgracefully discharged. This would also be a

In recent times safeguarding of children has once again come under spotlight with cases such as Madline McKan and the horrific murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. Prior to this the Children’s act of 1984 and updated 2004 version highlighted that all professionals have an obligation to report suspected abuse. There was a public inquiry in 2000 to address the failure of the law which was not upholding the protection of vulnerable children. There was changes to the legislation and the government set up The Every Child Maters (ECM) initiative. This works in line with current legislation Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006 Act. This Act authorised guidance on how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. All organisations must have the succeeding policies and procedures:

The aim of this act is to simplify the laws that are already in place, which protect children and young people in the UK. It was seen as a “serious shake up” of children’s rights and protection, and also made it clear what the duties are for all who work with children and young people and how they should work as a team in the event of a child abuse allegation.

There are many different personal relationships that we have within our lives and we act differently to each of those it may be from a family relationship or a work friendship. It is the same with our working relationship with the individuals that we meet, some over step boundaries and turn into friendships. In a working relationship you are in a relationship with someone because it is your job, where as a family or friend relationship is built upon a different reason. In our job we may also have relations between other professionals or

249). What this means is that you cannot develop a relationship with people by talking as if you are better than them. You can't develop a connection by judging a person’s values that may not align with yours. You need empathy and understanding. Relating to someone on their level can help develop trust. Sometimes in the field of social work you will come across lifestyles and behaviors that you may not agree with. It is your duty as a social worker to respect other people and to help regardless of their situation. Victoria Matthews’ actions and attitudes seem to embody and serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers as described by the NASW Code of Ethics.

They try to abide by the code of ethics from professional organizations like the National Association of Social Workers or the International Federation of Social Workers as a way to guide their actions. As in any human services profession, social workers may face a number of ethical dilemmas in their practice. An ethical dilemma involves a conflict between two or more ethical principles. (Houston Chronicle, 2016) I feel there are a lot of ethical issues that social workers have to face on a day to day basis, to include: confidentiality, dual relationships, and administrative dilemmas, just to name a

In sum, social workers are required to apply ethical principles in practice. As a result, through my experience, ethics have played a significant role in my professional and personal roles. I will continue to strive to learn and gain skills in ethical principles. I plan to strive, grow and explore my own values and beliefs. In addition, I will continue to follow and employ the ethical guidelines for my clients and for myself as I progress in my role as a social

A professional does not cross the boundaries with the client in any way. Clients will test the boundaries the professional has set to see if the professional will bend. An example, I had a client who would invite me to a white supremacist meeting, I properly denied the invitation, and redirected the client. After a few weeks, the client kept insisting I attended the meeting. Boundaries will be hard to keep as a social worker, if the client has experience similar hardships. In this situation is important to remain professional and to self-reflect. Urdang informs the reader how individuals will be drawn to clients who experience the same background and struggles in life, the boundaries will become blurred and social work will assist the client based on what the social worker experienced instead of taking the client’s opinion into consideration (2010, p.527). If the individual cannot assist the client because of the similarities it is best to ask another social worker to assist the client. The code of ethics informs social workers to be professional and have integrity; following the code of ethics and not breaking the boundaries the professional has set. The social worker cannot base the clients options on what they have experienced, they give options for the client to select and support their

to identify and understand the nature of a social care issue, to plan a personalized course of action and to provide a service for those in need. In this processes are involved a kaleidoscope of elements that interfere in various degrees : service structures, policies and procedures, professional methodologies , status and power, resources and budgets, priorities, time, views of the care givers or service users or even personal styles . Due to its complexity, the cross-professional collaboration has not always the desired outcome, to create new forms of practice that are looking to promote social inclusion and to meet the clients diverse needs. That's why, in the current literature , there are proponents and opponents of this kind of model of working.

Social workers should be aware of potential or existing conflicts of interest, should not engage in dual relationships with clients or former clients, nor take advantage of professional relationships for personal gains. Under no circumstances should a social worker engage in sexual relations or physical contact with clients or client’s relatives even if it is consensual. Services should not be provided to an individual who has had previous sexual relations with the professionals. Social workers should not make “sexual

Consequently, in the professional literature, there is a wide gap to be filled in the need for a critical perspective within the profession. We feel that the important contributions made by outside groups- Gay liberation, the women’s movement, mental patients’ union, trade unions and tenants’ associations- reflect lack of confidence in social workers, usually with good reasons. It is not intended to demoralize those social workers who are themselves conditioned and controlled by the very institutional structures, in which they work, but to make them aware of contradictions, and to assist them to develop critical action.

This essay will explore what it means to be a professional social worker and what the term ‘social work’ entails in contemporary England. Then, it will briefly focus on the history of social work regulation as well as exploring how ‘personal values’ and ‘professional values’ impact on social work practice and also explain how professional standards, codes, values and ethics are relevant to social work practice and their relevance to service users and carers.

This essay shall be based on the assumption that I am a Local authority social worker given the case referral of Stephanie and Stephen. The essay shall be focusing on the laws, policy and procedures that will guide through the assessment process of this case and how these can be used to meet the needs of all concerned. The assignment includes discussions on some of the key aspects of framework for the assessment of children in need and their families and The Children’s Act 1989, in particular section 17, duty to safeguard and I will incorporate anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.