Ethical Challenges in Social Work: Navigating Complex Cases
Social work is a career that demands professionals to maintain strong ethical standards, especially when you consider the inherent power imbalance in the social worker-client relationship. In fact, social workers often see clients at their most vulnerable.
By being aware of some of the most common ethical challenges in social work, professionals can maintain boundaries and provide clients with the help they need.
Understanding Ethical Challenges in Social Work
Before diving into some of the specific social work ethical dilemmas that professionals can face on the job, it's important to understand what an ethical dilemma entails and the importance of the social work Code of Ethics in maintaining ethical decision-making in social work.
What Are Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work?
Specifically, an ethical dilemma in social work is a situation where two or more professional values are in conflict with one another. Examples of professional values that may be in conflict can include any of the following:
- Service
- Social justice
- Dignity/worth
- Integrity
- Competence
- Human relationships
The Importance of the Social Work Code of Ethics
In October of 1960, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) published its first edition of the Code of Ethics, a document that "emerged as the standard bearer for defining the values and principles that guide social workers' conduct in all practice areas."
Since 1960, the Code of Ethics has seen many revisions, with the most recent being published in 2021. This document is extremely important in social work because it provides professionals in the field with a general guide to maintain professional conduct, protect clients, and maintain the overall integrity of the profession.
Common Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Social Workers
Unfortunately, social workers can face numerous ethical dilemmas on the job, ranging from issues with confidentiality to dual relationships, boundaries, and much more.
Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns
In a social work setting, clients often disclose sensitive personal information to social workers with the understanding that the information will remain confidential. However, in some cases, professionals may need to break confidentiality in social work to prevent imminent harm to a client or to other people. At the end of the day, social workers must remember that it is their primary responsibility to protect their clients' well-being at all costs, even if that means breaking confidentiality when needed.
Dual Relationships and Boundaries
Another common ethical dilemma is seen in dual relationships in social work, which occurs when a social worker has more than one type of relationship with a client. One relationship might be professional, while the other could be more casual, such as when the social worker is also the client’s close neighbor.
When this occurs, there is always the potential for conflicts of interest and compromised quality of care. This is why it's so crucial to avoid dual relationships on the job whenever possible.
Navigating Involuntary Treatment and Client Autonomy
Social workers are taught to respect client autonomy, going out of their way to empower their clients while educating them and advocating for them. However, there may be times when social workers must make choices in the best interest of their clients, even when their clients may disagree. When involuntary treatment must occur, the social work Code of Ethics dictates that social workers should choose the least restrictive treatment possible to support patient autonomy while continuing to get them the help they need.
Resource Allocation and Fairness
Professionals must also exercise their ethical principles in social work when it comes to deciding how to allocate limited resources to clients in a way that is fair and objective. This is often easier said than done, especially in areas where there may be a severe lack of resources and a large population in need.
When this occurs, social workers must put their social work ethics training into practice, considering factors such as need and compensation when determining how resources will be allocated.
Strategies for Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work
While the NASW Code of Ethics can help social workers navigate common ethical dilemmas in their work, there will always be extenuating circumstances where social workers simply need to use their own judgment and follow their own moral compasses to reach the right decision.
Utilizing Ethical Decision-Making Models
There are numerous ethical decision-making models that can be applied in the field, with many following more-or-less the same steps to reach a decision. These steps may include:
- Determining whether there is an ethical dilemma at play.
- Ranking the values or principles most relevant to the dilemma.
- Developing a plan to maintain ethical priorities/values most closely related to the dilemma.
- Implementing the plan using social work ethics training and skills.
- Reflecting on the outcome of the decision for all parties involved.
Consulting With Supervisors and Ethics Committees
In some cases, social workers may wish to consult with their supervisors or even members of ethics communities within the field for further guidance. This may be the case for particularly unique or challenging dilemmas. Seeking perspective from other professionals can be a great way to understand a dilemma from different viewpoints while coming up with the best plan of action for all involved.
Reflecting on Personal Values and Biases
Ultimately, many social workers can find their way through ethical dilemmas by simply taking the time to reflect carefully upon their own personal values while being consciously aware of their inherent biases. Of course, this can be easier said than done, as being able to productively reflect upon one's personal values and biases takes a certain level of self-awareness that not everybody possesses.
Legal Considerations in Ethical Decision-Making
In addition to ethical considerations, social workers must also take legal factors into account when it comes to handling dilemmas in the workplace.
Understanding Mandated Reporting Laws
First, consider the fact that social workers are mandated reporters. This means that they are legally required to report instances of suspected abuse or neglect, as well as any known violations of ethical practice. With this in mind, social workers need to understand when they are required to escalate a case or even break confidentiality to remain in compliance with mandated reporting laws.
Navigating Conflicts Between Ethics and Law
While it may seem clear-cut that social workers should follow the law at all times, the realities of social work aren't always that simple. In fact, as explained in one article published in Social Work Today Magazine, "some practitioners argue that in some instances, blind obedience to the law can be shortsighted and harm clients, particularly when laws seem to be unjust." These kinds of dilemmas can be extremely difficult for social workers to navigate, especially when legal requirements may operate in contrast with social workers' own ethical standards or values.
Addressing Ethical Challenges in Specific Practice Settings
Social workers in certain areas of the field may run into more specific ethical challenges. This may be especially true in areas such as child welfare, family services, healthcare, and criminal justice social work.
Child Welfare and Family Services
Social workers in child welfare and family services are most likely to face ethical dilemmas surrounding confidentiality. While social workers may want to give a voice to their younger clients, they must also know when they have an obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect.
Healthcare and Mental Health Social Work
In healthcare and mental health, there are often dilemmas surrounding client autonomy and protection. In some cases, social workers may need to decide when to implement involuntary treatment to a client when it is in their best interest or will protect them from harming themselves or others.
Social Work in Criminal Justice Settings
Social workers in criminal justice settings (such as in jails and prisons) often struggle with maintaining a balance between confidentiality and mandated reporting. This may be especially true when it comes to reporting a client's illegal acts or behavior.
Promoting Ethical Practice in Social Work Organizations
With so many ethical dilemmas at play in social work, what are some steps that social work organizations can take to promote more ethical practices in the field?
Creating an Ethical Work Culture
It all begins with creating and maintaining a work culture where ethics and values are at the core of every decision made. This means setting professional boundaries and defining clear ethical values, as well as referring back to the NASW Code of Ethics whenever possible.
Ongoing Ethics Training and Professional Development
Finally, organizations should provide social workers with consistent and ongoing ethics training, as well as professional development opportunities for social workers to learn more about their core values and potential biases.
Learn More in a Social Work Degree Program
Social workers commonly face a number of ethical dilemmas in their everyday interactions with clients. Maintaining professional boundaries in social work while following the NASW Code of Ethics can empower social work professionals to overcome these dilemmas and provide clients with the best care possible.
Looking for a social work degree program where you can learn more about ethical decision-making and other critical topics in social work? Indiana Wesleyan University's Division of Behavioral Sciences has undergraduate and graduate degree options to suit your needs. Learn more about our programs by getting in touch today, or get started with your online application for admission.
Sources
https://www.indwes.edu/find-your-program
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
https://www.naswma.org/page/100/Essential-Steps-for-Ethical-Problem-Solving.htm
