Ethical Dilemma in Human Services: A Case Study of Ian

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Running head: KAT- CDS2000 ETHICAL ISSUES & HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE HUMAN SERVICES
ASSESSMENT 1: CASE STUDY
KAT- CDS2000 ETHICAL ISSUES & HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE
HUMAN SERVICES ASSESSMENT 1: CASE STUDY

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KAT- CDS2000 ETHICAL ISSUES & HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE HUMAN SERVICES ASSESSMENT 1:
CASE STUDY
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Body.................................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
The thesis statement of this study is the identification of an ethical issue that is faced by the
author in the article Ian’s Story and his self determination. This study focuses on the Kantian
theory and deontological ethics that help in understanding this ethical dilemma.
Body
Ethical framework and dilemmas
The ethical issue that has been identified in this article is willing of Ian to live independently
though he is suffering from mental and physical deterioration. Ian is an adult individual who has
the right to know of the services and the medical benefits that he is entitled to. However, he has
not been consulted or given the information regarding the contents of the letter or the telephonic
conversation with the duty manager (Alcock, 2014). The article focuses on the deontological
ethics which states that the warning systems prevent the residents to exhibit free will. Pozgar
(2019) stated that deontological ethics is regarded as the normative ethical theory in which the
moral action is based on the wrongness or rightness of the actions based on the rules. In this
context, deontological ethics has been applied for understanding the imposition of rules on the
residents which prevent them from alcohol consumption. It implies that in the event of breaking
the rulers in relation to the consumption of alcohol, and then the residents will be evicted from
the house premises.
Primary ethical theory
The case study shows the implementation of Utilitarian principles which shows the importance
of wrong or right based on the consequences of choosing one action over the other. According to
Paquette, Sommerfeldt & Kent (2015), utilitarianism is that idea which states that the moral

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worth of the action is determined through its contribution to the utility for maximising pleasure
or happiness among the individuals. In this context, the discussions that have taken place in staff
meetings favours house rules over utilitarianism which can result in eviction of the residents
from the house. The author favours of placing Ian in the eviction rules since he has breached the
rules by consuming alcohol frequently. It denotes the shift from the utilitarian approach and
focusing on the rules so that Ian can find proper accommodation. However, the author has
experienced moral and ethical problems while making these decisions of adherence to the house
rules than supporting Ian. The author believes in Kantian ethics for assessing the correct mental
capacity of Ian. In addition, from the perspective of deontological ethics, Ian has been found to
be lacking of self determination which justified his overriding of his will. Illy, Le Coz & Mege
(2017) stated that in deontological ethics states that the action can be good not because of its
consequences but some of its parts are good. It shows that Ian does not possess adequate mental
capacity and the author hopes that he should be given proper support and accommodation.
Relationship of the theory with the case study
The case study shows that Ian has considerable mental and physical problems but he seeks for
living independently. However, the service users do not pay adequate attention to his mental and
physical needs that have increased his alcohol intake. Utilitarian ethics implies that freedom and
autonomy of Ian has to be taken into account while meeting his medical requirements. In the
words of Donaldson (2017), utilitarianism is the effort of producing best results which
encompasses the bad and the good that is given by the actions. The situation of Ian has been
described as the autonomous and rational individual who is able to make his decisions. However,
due to his mental and physical problems, he has been unable to make independent decisions that
can help in his healthy and independent living. As per deontological ethics, due to lack of self

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determination, Ian has been found to have involved in alcohol consumption which is responsible
for his impaired mobility, confusion and mental loss. Mpofu, Gupta & Hays (2016) commented
that as per the theories of Mill and Bentham, happiness is regarded as the balance of pleasure
above pain and the feelings are found to have intrinsic value. In this context, Ian is seeking
pleasure in alcohol consumption which results in his mental and physical ailments. In such
situation, the author is facing the problem of ensuring the rights and happiness of Ian or
imposing restrictions and rules that can curb his well being. On the other hand, virtue ethics
stresses on the flexibility, perception and judgement role in the context of service worker for
challenging the established professional opinions./ it implies that the practitioners should indulge
in those activities that can help in ensuring moral and physical well being of the service users.
Professional code of ethics
As per the Australian Code of Ethics (ACWA), a community worker is denoted as the
practitioner who possesses the required qualifications and skills, knowledge and values to work
with others or independently for facilitating social inclusion (acwa.org.au, 2018). In this context,
Ian has been found to be deprived of social inclusion as he is heavily indulged in consumption of
alcohol. The social worker has stated that Ian has the required mental capacity for living
independently in that place he chooses to live. In this context, the author is stuck in ensuring
liberty and freedom of staying in his flat and living in the hostel as he is addicted to drinking.
Moreover, he has been forced to take medical help when he has been forced to do. It implies that
Ian is not concerned of his well being and health and lack adequate decision making capabilities.
As per the guidelines of ACWA, the community worker is required to treat the service users with
respect and dignity and acknowledge, promote and safeguard their capacity in respect to self
determination. The community worker is also entitled to discuss with the colleagues in relation

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to the physical and mental well being of the service users (Hem et al. 2018). The specified
professional code of ethics has been followed by the community worker as evidence in the
discussion and consultation with the author. However, the author has not consulted or informed
Ian of the latest developments which can be seen as an infringement in his rights and autonomy.
Effectiveness of the courses of action
Ian and the author are stuck in power imbalances like differences in the status and age, rules of
the agency, his role in the agency and the middle class background. In this context, the author
has taken a series of actions like cleaning his flat and providing him the necessary support. His
mental capacity is low and the author believes that he will be facing deteriorating mental and
physical condition if he is allowed to stay in the flat. On one hand, he has been consuming
alcohol regularly breaking the rules of the house and on the other; he seeks to reside in his flat.
In such a situation, the author has implemented his sense of care which implies the limitations to
be placed on Ian for exercising his choices. Fiester (2015) is of the view that ethics of care, the
service providers are able to provide necessary support and care that can help the users to
overcome their mental and physical agony. As his decision making processes are found to be
oppressive, so the author has resorted to his dignity and worth for helping him recover from his
ailments. These actions are found to be effective as they create a balance between the needs of
Ian and his overall mental and physical well being.
Overall response
From the ethical perspective, it is required for the individuals or the community workers to
ensure strategies that can promote all round health and well being of the service users. In this
context, the author has been found to be in ethical dilemma of allowing Ian to stay in his flat or
allow him to stay in the hostel. In such a situation, the author knows that Ian can face the

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problem of physical and mental deterioration if he is allowed to stay in his flat. However, his
regular drinking habits have resulted in breaking of house rules which the author finds to be
harmful for other residents. In such a situation, it is required to consider the well being and
health of Ian for making right decisions in removing his mental and physical ailments. The
author has exceeded his duties as a community worker by helping him in his cleanliness and
providing home the necessary support. However, the author has not make ian aware of his
conversation with the manager which can be seen as infringement on his freedom and autonomy.
Thus, a more comprehensive and integrated approach is required for ensuring health and well
being of the service users.

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Conclusion
It can be concluded that Ian has been facing from severe mental and physical ailments due to his
frequent habit of alcohol consumption. In such a juncture, the author has faced an ethical
dilemma of whether to allow Ian to remain in the hostel or allow him to remain in the flat. The
various ethical theories show that the service providers are obliged by the moral and ethical
obligations of providing a dignified life and ensuring well being of the service users. The author
has been found to give services exceeding the role of a community worker by providing
necessary support and ensure clean surroundings for his better living.

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References
Book
Pozgar, G. D. (2019). Legal and ethical issues for health professionals. Jones & Bartlett
Learning. Retrieved from:
http://samples.jblearning.com/9781284036794/9781284069761_FMxx_Cropped.pdf
Journals
Alcock, R. (2014) Ian's Story: His right to self-determination, Ethics and Social Welfare, 8(1),
77-85, Retrieved from: DOI: 10.1080/17496535.2014.876260
Donaldson, C. M. (2017). Using Kantian ethics in medical ethics education. Medical Science
Educator, 27(4), 841-845. Retrieved from:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40670-017-0487-0
Fiester, A. M. (2015). Weaponizing principles: clinical ethics consultations & the plight of the
morally vulnerable. Bioethics, 29(5), 309-315. Retrieved from:
https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=bioethics_papers
Hem, M. H., Gjerberg, E., Husum, T. L., & Pedersen, R. (2018). Ethical challenges when using
coercion in mental healthcare: a systematic literature review. Nursing Ethics, 25(1), 92-
110. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/2V2MuQV
Illy, M., Le Coz, P., & Mege, J. L. (2017). A Hospital-Based Committee of Moral Philosophy to
Revive Ethics. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 65(suppl_1), S55-S57. Retrieved from:
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/65/suppl_1/S55/4057574
Mpofu, C., Gupta, T. S., & Hays, R. (2016). The ethics of medical practitioner migration from
low-resourced countries to the developed world: a call for action by health systems and

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individual doctors. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 13(3), 395-406. Retrieved from:
https://bit.ly/2vcEDBu
Paquette, M., Sommerfeldt, E. J., & Kent, M. L. (2015). Do the ends justify the means?
Dialogue, development communication, and deontological ethics. Public Relations
Review, 41(1), 30-39. Retrieved from:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/36841733/Paquette_et_al._2015.pdf
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Website
acwa.org.au. (2018) Australian Community Workers Code of Ethics Retrieved from:
http://www.acwa.org.au/resources/ACWA_Code_of_ethics_Jan_2017.pdf