Ethical Dilemma 1

docx

School

Morgan State University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

334

Subject

Sociology

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

5

Uploaded by DeanFireRaven39

Report
1 ETHICAL DILEMMA Homelessness Ethical Dilemma Kirsten Palmisano Master of Social Work, Morgan State University OMSW 502: Agency and Neighborhood Development in Poor Urban Communities Professor Roxanne Fuentes, LCSW-C February 5, 2024
2 ETHICAL DILEMMA An ethical dilemma is a situation in which a person faces a conflicting moral principle which makes it challenging to choose what they should do. The right course of action may go against what the individual believes in. Overall, it is best to weigh the potential consequences of each decision when discussing the differing values, beliefs, and ethical considerations. Being a social worker may cause an individual to face many ethical dilemmas which forces them to navigate complex moral terrain to make a decision that best aligns with their values and principles and duty as a social worker. There is an ethical dilemma for the social work administrator because they have to weigh these considerations of the duty of the client, advocacy, transparency & trust, balance of interests, and ethical principles such as justice. The duty to the clients is the primary task of the social worker the administrator’s main duty is to consider the overall well-being of the group members who are advocating for a day shelter. Next, social workers are supposed to advocate for social justice so in this case a social worker must decide if sharing the demand for a day shelter with the Mayor is necessary and aligns with the needs and aspirations of the population. The social worker needs to be open to communicating with all parties and transparent with their wants and needs. If the social worker doesn’t tell the mayor about the group’s demands it might undermine trust but on the other hand, if the social worker doesn’t discuss with the group about the Mayor’s requests then it can undermine their trust. The balancing of the interests of the homeless population with the potential consequences of disrupting city council meetings and facing a tough stance from the mayor requires careful consideration. Justice is an ethical population that should guide the decision-making process. The NASW serves as a guide for the professional conduct of all social workers. The core values of social workers are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance
3 ETHICAL DILEMMA of human relationships, integrity, and competence (NASW, 2017). The standard I feel is in question is service because we want to help the homeless population and address the social problem, of having shelter. The social worker should also follow the standard of dignity and worth of the person because each person should be treated with care and respect concerning diversity. The problem is that the social work administrator must prioritize the well-being of the homeless populations that are being served and advocate for the need for the day shelter as it aligns with the commitment to social justice and the dignity and worth of others. The administrator should be aware of any legal restrictions on any of the activities that are occurring and to ensure there is compliance. If the homeless individuals continue to interrupt the City Council meetings it may lead to legal consequences so as the administrator, you should be aware of regulations that are directly related to public disturbances. Some relevant factors that needs to be considered is ensuring the well-being and needs of the homeless individuals. As the administrator I should also advocate for better treatment and addressing the demand for a day shelter as it aligns with the goal of meeting clients’ needs. Ensuring that the administrator and the homeless individuals adhere to legal and ethical standards such as NASW Code of Ethics, privacy laws, and confidentiality because they are essential. The administrator has to ensure that the actions comply with relevant laws and professional guidelines. Another factor is possibly collaborating with the Mayor, so as the administrator you must weigh the benefits and risks. Collaborative efforts could lead to a more positive outcome for the City Council and assess if the Mayor’s commitment to addressing the needs of the homeless population. As the administrator I would go to the Mayor and advocate for the group’s demand for a day shelter, I would tell the Mayor exactly why the day shelter is necessary and beneficial to all
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
4 ETHICAL DILEMMA parties involved. When discussing the information about the day shelters such as the hours, resources, and cost I could negotiate with the Mayor and emphasize avoiding disruptions in City Council meetings. This option passes all of the tests, it is an overall good idea to discuss the ideas with the Mayor and hopefully compromise to make all parties happy. To reduce the likelihood of an event like this happening again I would engage in collaborative planning with advocacy groups and clients to make clear goals, expectations, and timelines while also addressing potential challenges that could arise. It is also a good idea to develop a crisis prevention and intervention plan that outlines the steps that should occur in a variety of scenarios which includes conflict resolution.
5 ETHICAL DILEMMA Reference: National Association of Social Workers. (2017). NASW code of ethics. Retrieved Month, Day, Year, from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics- English