Week 6 Assignmnet ORG 6520
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MORAL AND ETHICAL
FRAMEWORK
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ORG6520 Week 6 Final Paper: Moral and Ethical Framework
University of Arizona Global Campus
Samantha Jones
February 5, 2024
Instructor: Dr. G
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Introduction
When a choice within an organization force someone to decide between doing the right thing and
the wrong thing, ethical problems arise. Every profession may have ethical problems that set it apart from others, but also shared difficulties. For instance, the profession of child protective services deals with moral dilemmas involving both its employees and its clients. The investigation and handling of child abuse and neglect, dealing with divorcing parents, staff burnout, and compassion fatigue are some of the main obstacles facing child protection services. All these difficulties have the potential to lead to false reports of child abuse and neglect, or even
fatalities. To address the three main ethical concerns in child protection services—the investigation and management of child abuse and neglect—I will first examine the text, then go over the three theories that can be used to the ethical problem. Finally, I will offer several solutions to the problem.
Summary of Ethical Issue
Within the realm of child protection services, the ethical dilemma of managing and investigating cases of child abuse and neglect has several facets. Time restraints, parent conflicts, personnel burnout, and resistance to required reporting are just a few of the factors that might impact the validity of inquiries into and handling of allegations of child abuse and neglect (Larcher, 2007, p.
208). The integrity of the child protection services sector and the kids it serves and safeguards are in danger because of all these factors. To guarantee that the organization and its employees 2
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are carrying out their tasks and obligations ethically, the ethical framework pertaining to child protection services must be revised.
Working in child protection is an extremely hard field. There may be reports of child abuse and neglect at any time, necessitating the availability of child safety specialists around-the-clock. Many child protection organizations have lost many of their skilled child protection services experts because of the demanding work schedule. This ethical dilemma is made more widespread
from a professional standpoint by the inability to hire and support qualified child protection services personnel. Professionals in child protection services are reluctant to carry out their basic responsibilities of preventing child abuse and neglect due to a lack of accountability and responsibility. Investigating with parents can get a little aggressive at times, which could make the child protective services worker feel uncomfortable. A professional's ethical duty to give its customers the tools they need to recover from the effects of child abuse or neglect may be impacted by their line of work.
Applied Ethical Theories
A child protection professional's main moral and legal obligations center on what's in the child's best interests. The methods used in child protection services today are either counterproductive to the interests of children impacted by child abuse and neglect or do not have advanced understanding of the issue (Larcher, 2007, p. 208). When conducting an inquiry or handling a report on child abuse or neglect, these experts are under no duty to accept a parent's word about any harm that the child has suffered. It is crucial for child protection professionals to act in the children’s best interests by making sure they are shielded from any harm that could cause them to suffer severe bodily or mental injuries. To make sure that all child protection 2
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services personnel follow and carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned to them, ethical procedures are put in place.
The utilitarian theory, teleological theory, and deontological theory are the three ethical theories that can be used to address this moral conundrum. The focus of deontological theory is on different types of activities that are morally correct according to principles (Osmo & Landau, 2006, p. 865). This idea aligns with code 1.14 of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics, which addresses clients who are incapable of making decisions for themselves (NASW, 2020). The focus of the teleological theory is on different behaviors that are
carried out because they are morally right due to their outcomes (Osmo & Landau, 2006, p. 865).
This idea is consistent with code 3.04 client records of the NASW code of ethics. The deontological theory is based on principle, the teleological theory is based on virtue, and the utilitarianism theory is based on whether the result is optimal. All these theories center on what is right. The utilitarianism theory concentrates on one action that results in the greatest good for more people. While each theory is unique, they all center on the idea of what is right and the decision or consequences that led to the result that was obtained.
The deontological theory can be used to explain how child protection workers carry out the obligations and duties of their jobs in the field of child protection. Professionals in child protection services can more accurately assess if a suspected report of child abuse or neglect is tangible by applying the deontological framework. Professionals from child protection services can better ascertain whether the child in question has been the victim of abuse or neglect during an investigation. They can also acquire any relevant evidence regarding the abuse or neglect allegation and perform any necessary interviews. The expert then must determine how the report 2
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should be handled based on the information obtained throughout the inquiry. When a child has experienced abuse, it is best to make decisions that are in their best interests because they are incapable of making rational decisions for themselves. The final choice made by the child protection services professional should see the child relocated to a safer and more loving environment, away from the abusive and negligent setting.
The teleological and utilitarianism theories can be applied by child protection services professionals to handling reports of child abuse or neglect. This involves determining how information gathered from investigations is used. Regardless of the conclusion, a child protection
services professional must consider all information and evidence gathered during an investigation to be factual when examining and processing it. To make sure the child's best interests are met, the professional must see through to the conclusion, regardless of the result. Every report needs to be carefully examined to see if the person identified as the abuser has been found guilty of the acts mentioned in the report.
The utilitarianism theory fits best when working with other mandatory reporting organizations. A mandated reporter oversees making decisions regarding suspected child abuse or neglect when a report is filed, not only for the kid who may have been abused or neglected, but also for the organization.
Solution
Several procedures must be put in place to protect the children who are being neglected and abused, as well as to guarantee that child protection professionals are keeping accurate records of
every report and interaction that takes place. This will help to ensure that victims of child abuse 2
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and neglect are appropriately investigated and managed by child protection professionals. The problem of looking into and handling reports of child abuse and neglect can be resolved by using
the following three procedures: 1) creating a single database for all organizations required to report child abuse and neglect; 2) designating specific law enforcement officers to go with child protection services professionals on investigations; and 3) providing opportunities for ongoing professional development for child protection services professionals. All these methods guarantee the child's safety and that of the child protection services professional throughout the investigation and report management process.
When someone reports suspicions of child abuse or neglect, the first thing that happens is an investigation. Following the collection of all relevant data and supporting documentation for the filed report, the child protection services professional enters the information into a database that is only accessible by personnel of the child protection services organization. A single record-
keeping database should be integrated with the organization's abuse reporting system as opposed to being exclusive to it. This will facilitate the synchronization of any suspicions or reports of child abuse and neglect by child protection professionals, law enforcement, school personnel, medical experts, and any other required reporter. Reports of abuse and neglect can also be entered into this database by granting further mandated reporting access. In exchange, this information exchanged can help to improve child protection services and help get the youngster out of the harmful environment. This database will give all these entities a better way to record evidence of child abuse and neglect because indicators of abuse can be recognized by a doctor, teacher, counselor, police officer, and other required reporters.
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Based on the initial report, a large number of child protection services specialists investigate cases of child abuse and neglect. These investigations are typically carried out in isolation and may place the professional in danger. Child protection services occasionally visit the house of the child's parent when filing a report. Professionals in child protection agencies are occasionally
threatened with physical harm, verbal threats, and even with a weapon because the investigation is taking place in a home or school.
To help child protection professionals with their investigations, a special task force or law enforcement officer should be assigned. This would allow them to: (1) act as an extra witness or investigator; and (2) shield the child protection professional from any conflicts that may arise from working with parents while investigating. A law enforcement officer can assist in resolving any disputes with parents, relatives, and other professionals by going with the child protective services professional. A parent of another suspected child abuser may be taken into custody right
away by a law enforcement officer if, during an investigation, the parent acts irrationally and aggressively against the child protection services expert.
All child protection services professionals need to be trained in the most recent policies, procedures, and resources that are being implemented in other child protection services organizations to maintain a level of integrity and knowledge of the field. Professionals working in child protection services need to be up to date on the latest legislation and statutes of limitations since they can have a significant impact on their ability to conduct investigations and document gathered evidence and data. All professionals, regardless of experience level, should have access to professional development courses on conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and recording information. This can help to retain any professionals with experience in
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child protection services, hone the abilities of newly hired professionals, and mandate training for all professionals in child protection services.
Many of the problems will go away if these three methods are included in the day-to-day work of
child protective services workers, and they may start to take more interest in their jobs and responsibilities. A child protection services professional won't have to put in excessive amount of effort because they can work around the clock because of the multi-tied reporting database and independent investigative methods. Having access to more professional development courses
allows the child protection services experts to improve themselves professionally and ethically. By taking these courses and gaining new abilities, professionals When all three of them are put into practice simultaneously, there is less likelihood that an ethical problem such as the one under discussion will arise.
Conclusion
Every career faces ethical challenges, some common to all professions and some unique to theirs. Professionals must uphold a professional standard regardless of the nature of the ethical
dilemma. When a professional's personal and professional convictions collide, they must act with
ethical competency and consider the client's best interests. The organization must take the appropriate action to address unethical behavior when it is shown by a professional, such as a child protection services specialist. Any professional ethical conundrums affecting that organizational structure can be resolved by offering more organizational resources, working with
other well-known organizations, and offering professional development resources.
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References Larcher, V. (2007). Ethical issues in child protection. Clinical Ethics, 2(4), 208– 212. https://doi.org/10.1258/147775007783560175
National Association of Social Work (2020). Code of Ethics. Retrieved March 6, 2020, from URL https://www.socialworkers.org/about/ethics/code-of-ethics/code-of-ethicsenglish Osmo, R., & Landau, R. (2006). The Role of Ethical Theories in Decision Making by Social Workers. Social Work Education, 25(8), 863– 876. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615470600915910
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