Analyzing Decision-Making Models and Strategies in Social Work

This report critically examines decision-making models within the context of social work and welfare, employing the Gibbs Reflection Model for analysis. It begins by defining decision-making as a crucial skill for social workers and highlights the importance of ethical considerations. The report describes various decision-making models, including the NASW Code of Ethics and Elaine Congress ETHIC Model, and analyzes their application in addressing ethical dilemmas. The evaluation section assesses the strengths and weaknesses of these models, emphasizing the need for social workers to consider ethical principles, potential consequences, and client values. The analysis further explores the ETHIC model and the NASW code, providing a comprehensive understanding of their roles in ethical decision-making. The report concludes by advocating for the use of appropriate decision-making models, emphasizing the significance of ethical guidelines and the avoidance of common decision-making pitfalls. The report provides a detailed analysis of how social workers can make informed decisions in their practice.

INTRODUCTION
Critical reflection is reasoning process that is about considering person's own thought,
experience and feeling and determining process that see how they it in with concepts, ideas and
theories that presented by others. The reflection can be descriptive, analytical and critical. The
present study is based on the decision-making models in social work and welfare. The study will
critically analysed through Gibbs Reflection Model. Decision making denotes individual ability
of choosing the best option among various choices. The present study will critically explain,
apply and analyse various decision-making models and strategies in social work and welfare.
MAIN BODY
Description
Decision making is a critical skill that allows individuals to take action on the thought or
idea. In day to day activities, decision-making process is an crucial part (Baldwin, 2016). An
effective decision can make the things right and leads to the success. On the other hand, an
ineffective decision can harm an individual or ruin the situation. During social welfare and
support work, I learned various things regarding the importance of decision making which
assisted me in taking appropriate actions for managing social work and welfare. I also read about
various models of decision-making process as well as core values of social work that are;
individualisation, objectivity, confidentiality, self-determination, purposeful expression of
feeling, acceptance, etc. In my academic career, the ethical decision-making process is key point
that provide theoretically understanding what should consider or what should avoid. I learned
various decision-making model in social work and welfare such as; NASW code of ethics,
CASW code of ethics, etc that will further help me in completion the task (Fook, 2016). I
observed that in social worker, people are require to analyse the consequences comes while
making decision regarding their professional relationship, about clients, etc.
Feelings
I was so excited as well as curious in the beginning to provide the best conclusion for the
social work action. The best model will help individual in future to take decisions effectively.
But there were many obstacles that appeared as difficulties in the completion of my work. I think
every social worker is responsible for focusing on ethical concerns when making decision.
Initially I was so confident as I had the support of my seniors in the task (Baldwin, 2016). In my
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opinion Ethical decision making is the prior responsibility of a social worker while taking any
action and ensure that the actions are morally right.
Evaluation
From academic learning and social work practices, I evaluated that there are wide range
of decision-making models which helps individual in ethical decision making. I took my
knowledge forward and also took help from other secondary sources. Such as various books and
internet to understand the term in depth (Pantić, 2015). I also realised that the ethical decision
will help the individual to maintain other's values and beliefs and to take effective social work
actions. For that purpose, three models have been used from the various models. My role in this
task is to find out the best decision models in social work actions. The evidences and support
consolidated my evaluating skills and put my basic knowledge into practices. I consider and
evaluate various perspectives of authors on the decision-making models and strategies in social
work that I feel is essential to consider by the social workers in practical life. From the survey, I
got to know that the aim of social workers is to maintain the extent of equality in their area and
they also aim to provide quality of life to the population, ensure the privacy and confidentiality
and ensure that decisions make least harm to the people that related (Redmond, 2017).
The NASW ethical code of conduct enable me in understanding the guidelines provided
that stated that social worker are require to maintain their professionalism and should avoid bias
in decision-making. It helped me to understand the importance of respect, fairness with the co-
workers.
Analysis
According to (Fook, 2016) Ethical decision making is a crucial part of social work
practice. On the daily basis, social worker faces many ethical dilemmas that require thoughtful
reflection and critical thinking. An ethical dilemma is a choice between two actions based on
conflicting professional values.
There are two models suggested by (Redmond, 2017) that helps the individual to make
decisions ethically and effectively; Elaine Congress ETHIC Model for Decision-making and
NASW code of ethics approach. The decision-making models consist various steps that decision
makers in social work actions need to consider that reduce the high risk situations. Furthermore,
it should be professionally grounded and morally correct. To come up with an appropriate
decision, they should establish a list of criteria used to evaluate their choices. By adopting this
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model, the decision-makers have opportunities to contemplate on what are the things that matter
the most in their situation and select the choices that best reflect their standards. However, the
problem with this model is the fact that people do not always know what they want or have
enough information about the available alternatives, and usually, people end up just making a
"good enough" or a safe-bet decision.
Elaine Congress ETHIC Model for Decision-making
According to the view of (Pantić, 2015) this model enables social worker to assess the
situation effectively and enable them to examine the clinical, physical, cultural, legal and general
issue. It has been mentioned by (Redmond, 2017) the model enables social worker to determine
the issues regarding ethical code of conduct in social work and welfare.
As per the viewpoint of (Pantić, 2015) social worker should have knowledge about the
ethics and resolving practice dilemmas. This model includes five steps; ETHIC.
In the steps; social worker should evaluate societal, person, agency, professional and
client's value. Along with it, they are require to consider ethical standard is designed by NASW
code of ethics. Before making a decision, social worker is responsible to hypothesise about
possible consequences. On the other hand (Fook, 2016) mentioned that, the social worker should
identify who might be get harm and get benefited with the social work actions. And lastly, they
are required to consult about the most ethical choices.
NASW code of ethics approach
(Pantić, 2015) mentioned that social worker is expected to use a credible decision-making
approach to resolve the ethical dilemmas. It has also suggested by the author to apply the values,
ethical principle and standard. This code of ethics serves six purpose that offers a set of
principles to guide decision-making. For example; there are many situations where conflicting
obligation arise, social worker may face dilemmas. Here social workers are required to take all
the values, standards and principles into consideration. For example; a social worker is required
to take decision that do not harm values and beliefs of the client.
The code of ethics outline that social workers are require to maintain high standard of
personal conduct and need to maintain a high degree of professionalism throughout their actions.
They are also required to maintain a high level of integrity and engage in lifelong learning to
maintain competencies.
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On the other hand (Redmond, 2017) provide an example that, social workers are also
require to treat the colleagues with fairness, respect and courtesy while making decisions. In the
profession they are require to uphold, advance and represent the values of the social work
profession.
The model outlines six ethical principles that set forth ideals to which all the social
worker should aspire. The six core values are; importance of human relationship, social justice,
integrity, dignity and worth of the person and competence.
Conclusion
Social worker might face many types of ethical dilemmas in their work practice. The best
and the most suitable model for ethical decision making has been considered is; NASW code of
ethics approach that set values, principles and standards to guide social worker. While there is no
specific ethical decision-making model that is the most effective individually. A person who is
responsible to make decisions and take social actions are expected to be familiar with credible
model of decision making that can bear the scrutiny of the public and its application (Redmond,
2017). Along with it, it has also been analysed that both the models and theories are depending
on each other and the purpose is same for both that is to provide ethical knowledge to the social
worker. In order to become a successful decision maker, a person should apply the appropriate
decision-making model in each situation, and practice. More importantly, one should avoid the
decision-making traps so that they will not cloud one's judgement.
Action
As it has been analysed by the critical evaluation; social worker is responsible to respect
for the inherent dignity and worth of a person, they also have responsibility for pursuing social
justice and service to humanity. In future I will aim to develop my assertive knowledge and skill
in order to ensure I can overcome the obstacles present in this task. I am planning to take the
social work that was my base of academia career to carry out in the future to make an effective
career in it. And in my career, I will make sure that I will take decisions as per the ethical
guidelines. In future I will determine more sources that can be primary or secondary to take the
task effectively in order to analyse and reflect effectively.
From all the decision-making model in ethical social wok action and welfare, I will use
Elaine Congress ETHIC Model for Decision-making. The reason to select this for my future
action in decision-making process is because it will enable me to take as per the situation as the
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model emphasise on evaluating the situation before taking any decision. Along with it, because
this model follow the guidelines of NASW code of conduct. To handle ethical dilemmas, I will
consult the code and also ensure that decision will not only ethically but legally also considered.
CONCLUSION
From the above evaluation it has been summarised that in a social work action individual
are required to take ethical decision. For that purpose, individual is required to have an
understanding of ethical guidelines under the NASW code of ethics approach. These approaches
are relevant and useful for ethical and effective social work actions and enable individuals to
make a decision as per the guidelines. The analysis has been done through Gibbs model that is an
effective model to reflect and evaluate on any topic effectively.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baldwin, M., 2016. Critical reflection: Opportunities and threats to professional learning and
service development in social work organizations. In Social work, critical reflection and
the learning organization. (pp. 51-66). Routledge.
Baldwin, M., 2016. Social work, critical reflection and the learning organization. Routledge.
Fook, J., 2016. Social work: A critical approach to practice. Sage.
Pantić, N., 2015. A model for study of teacher agency for social justice. Teachers and
Teaching. 21(6). pp.759-778.
Redmond, B., 2017. Reflection in action: Developing reflective practice in health and social
services. Routledge.
Online
Code of Ethics. 2019. [Online]. Available
Through:<https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-
English>.
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