Ethical Issues in Social Work: A Case Study

Running Head: ETHICAL ISSUES 1
Ethical issues

Case study 2
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................... 3
1Identification of ethical issue............................................................................................. 3
2 Ethical perceptive on issues.............................................................................................. 4
3 Alternative perspectives on issues...................................................................................... 5
4 Ethical issues................................................................................................................ 7
5 Recommendations......................................................................................................... 9
Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 9
References................................................................................................................... 10

Case study 3
Introduction
Social workers make an effective contribution to various areas in the society. They
provide the best possible help to the individuals and society to overcome different problems.
However, in the professional practices, there are certain types of ethical standards which should
be followed by social workers. Ethics refers to standard practices which are set by each working
institution and morals refer to the general practices which are adopted by the society. Many times
social workers face issues while selecting between ethics and morals (Bayoumi, Kame and
Fathalla, 2017). The present report highlights ethical issues of social workers working in the
mental health units.
Identification of ethical issue
Social workers in the community make different types of contribution. While working as the
social worker, there are many types of ethical issues which are faced by them. Ethical issues
refer to the phenomenon in which one cannot make differences between what is right and what is
wrong. In the given case study, Cindy is social worker in an adolescent mental health unit. Her
client tried to commit suicide 3 months ago. He also told Cindy that he was in a relationship
with 30 years old man. So, the ethical issues for Cindy is that how to help Ben. The main ethical
issues faced by Cindy is wether to share such information with client’s parents and her team
member. If she shared information then it will break the law of confidentiality and also the trust
of her client. On the other hand, if she did not tell her then it may create future problems and also
it is possible that Benmay try to commit suicide again (Cullen, 2016). This case is based upon
teenage suicide case. According to social working ethical guide, social workers should not share

Case study 4
any sensitive information about patients to anyone but if she did not share such information then
team members cannot provide proper treatment.
In addition, Ben was in relationship and his parents were not aware of this. In such condition,
according to social workers’ ethical guidance, Ben is able to take any type of decisions. He is
free and all decisions are dependent upon him. On the other hand, in the suicide case, if patients
tried to commit such act, social workers need to increase awareness of team member because it is
caused by someone others. If Ben tried to end his life because he was is abusive relationship
then, according to ethical standards, Cindy need to share such information to people associated
with the patient and her team members (Fowler, 2016). On the other hand, an ethical issue is
that if Ben was happy with such arrangements. It becomes ethical issue for Cindy
2 Ethical Perceptive on Issues
Social workers have numerous social responsibilities and also his decisions are based on clients’
best interest. There are different types of the guidelines provided to social workers to develop
ethical perspective so they can provide the best treatment to their clients. An association such as
National Association of Social Workers or the International Federation of Social Workers guides
worker’s action. As in the human service professional, there are different types of ethical issues
which are faced by social workers (Gaudine and Beaton, 2016). The similar issues are also faced
by Cindy. She cannot make decisions how to react to situations and what are the possible ways to
help her client, Ben. So following are ethical perspective based on ethical issues in case of
suicide.
Self Determination