Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice

2018 ◽  
pp. 82-104
Author(s):  
Tumani Malinga ◽  
Poloko Nuggert Ntshwarang ◽  
Masego Lecha
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Social Work Practitioners

Ethical dilemmas are conflicts that arise when two or more ethical principles clash. As social work practitioners often grapple with ethical dilemmas in their practice, it is important and informative to explore how they address them, especially in different cultural contexts. Drawing on data from a qualitative exploratory study of social work practitioners in different settings in Botswana, this chapter identifies and discusses several ethical dilemmas that social work practitioners in Botswana come across in their practice in both government and non-governmental organizations and how they address them. The chapter also examines the struggles practitioners deal with such as ethical stress, as they try to address and deal the ethical dilemmas. The chapter brings forth recommendations that social work ethics should be part of the educational curriculum and the importance of practitioners' self-awareness.

Inter-Agency Guidelines for Psychosocial Intervention in Emergencies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha S. Bragin
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) is the arm of the international community that provides guidelines for practice in humanitarian emergencies and coordinates among the three parts of the humanitarian system: the United Nations and its agencies; the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee for the Red Cross; and the consortia of International non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This article describes the IASC Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, their role and history, and the role of social work in their development. The article notes the concurrence of various aspects of the Guidelines with social work practice, and provides case examples of social work interventions in the context of the Guidelines. Practical tools that social workers can use when confronting emergencies at home or abroad are included in the reference list.

Angels of mercy or smiling western invaders? Community’s perception of NGOs in northwest Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Jamal ◽  
Clive Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Delphi Method ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Community Living ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Western Imperialism ◽  
Local Cultures

Using a qualitative Delphi method, this study explored how the Pashtun community, living across the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, perceives the role and significance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The study also examined deep-rooted causes of the resistance to NGO-based development and suggested best practice strategies. Analysis of the Delphi finding showed consensus that most NGOs are perceived with deep suspicions and fear among the Pashtun society. Most of these suspicions and elements of mistrust were echoed in terms of an extension of western imperialism, violations of local cultures, spreading immorality, corruption and lack of credibility, and transparency. We discuss the implications for social work practice.

Listening to the Voices of Individuals with Disabilities

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen French Gilson ◽  
John C. Bricout ◽  
Frank R. Baskind
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
The Social

Social work literature, research, and practice on disabilities has lagged behind other topical areas dealing with oppressed groups. The social work literature remains “expert focused” and generally fragmented into discussions of specific disabilities or subpopulations. A viable general model that deals with the personal experience of disability is not available. This exploratory study presents a social work literature search and analysis as well as interviews with six individuals with disabilities about their experiences with social workers. Individuals with disabilities assert that they were treated as though they had categorically fewer aspirations, abilities, and perhaps even fundamental rights than did nondisabled people. This study provides a base for follow-up research on models of consumer-focused social work practice in the area of disability.

A dynamic Asian response to globalization in cross-cultural social work

2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 593-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam-shing Yip
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Travail Social ◽  
Trabajo Social

Authentization, indigenization, cultural sensitivity, cultural competence and globalization are controversial issues in cross-cultural social work. In this article, the writer tries to clarify all these related concepts. In terms of various Asian cultural contexts, a model of dynamic Asian response and exchange in the field of cross-cultural social work practice in Asian countries is suggested. French L'authentization, l'indigénisation, la sensibilité culturelle, la compétence interculturelle et la mondialisation sont des questions controversées en travail social interculturel. Dans cet article, l'auteur tend à clarifier ces concepts interliés et suggère une réponse et des échanges asiatiques dynamiques dans le contexte culturel diversifié des contrées de l'Asie. Spanish La autencización, la indigenización, la sensibilidad cultural, la competencia cultural y la globalización son asuntos controvertidos en el trabajo social transcultural. El autor trata de clarificar todos estos relacionados conceptos. Respecto a varios contextos culturales de Asia, el autor sugiere un modelo dinámico de intercambio y respuesta asiática a la práctica de trabajo social transcultural en países de Asia.

More than lost in translation? An exploratory study of social workers’ experiences working with Vietnamese wives in Taiwan

2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-338
Author(s):  
Su-Chen Hung ◽  
Wen-Shan Yang ◽  
Pei-Chih Yen
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Diverse Society ◽  
Lost In Translation

This article identifies the cultural differences and language barriers faced by Taiwanese social workers when working with families of cross-border marriages, and discusses the importance of adopting a multicultural approach in social work practice in order to cater to the urgent needs of an increasingly culturally diverse society.

Beyond the Code of Ethics, Part II: Dual Relationships Revisited

2002 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Freud ◽  
Stefan Krug
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Dual Relationships ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Social Work Practitioners

The authors, both social work educators, serve on an ethics call line committee that provides insights on how the provisions of the (United States) National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (NASW, 1996) interface with the ethical dilemmas encountered by the social work community. In this paper, the authors highlight aspects of social work practice that they consider ethical, yet not easily accommodated by the provisions of the current Code. They also question the 1996 introduction of the concept of dual relationships into the Code and suggest that the Code adopt the less ambiguous term of boundary violations. Also recognized by the authors is the need for clear boundaries for the protection of clients against temptations that might arise in a fiduciary relationship, and for the legal protection of social workers. But, the authors argue, social work practitioners in certain settings, with particular populations, and in certain roles, inevitably face multiple relationships as an integral aspect of their work. The authors conclude that social work's adoption of the psychoanalytic constrains of anonymity, neutrality, and abstinence has detoured the profession from its original double focus on individuals and their society.

Social Work and Youth Justice in a Global Context

2014 ◽  
pp. 149-165
Author(s):  
Bill Whyte
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Social Work Practitioners ◽  
International Obligations

Social work in youth justice is directed by international standards based on an implied socio-educative paradigm that conflicts with the dominant criminal justice paradigm in operation in most jurisdictions. This creates global challenges in establishing “child-centred” policy and practice for dealing with young people under the age of 18 years in conflict with the law. Social work practitioners, directed by international imperatives and professional ethics, operate between shifting and often conflicting paradigms. It is essential they are familiar with international obligations and operate as “culture carriers” providing an ongoing challenge to systems of youth justice. This chapter examines these issues and, in the absence of consensus or of a shared paradigm for social work practice across jurisdictions, considers what a socio-educative paradigm for practice might look like.

scholarly journals Attaining Theoretical Coherence Within Relationship-Based Practice in Child and Family Social Work: The Systemic Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1219-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Coulter ◽  
Stanley Houston ◽  
Suzanne Mooney ◽  
John Devaney ◽  
Gavin Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Systemic Theory ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Social Work Practitioners ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Fidelity Model

Abstract Social work practice has an essential, yet ambiguous, relationship with theory. This state of affairs is currently evident in the range of contemporary relationship-based practice (RBP) models being applied within Child and Family Social Work. This article argues that there is an urgent need for a theoretically coherent conceptualisation of these models to enable social work practitioners to embrace their common precepts and so enable more effective interventions. In contrast to attempts to show the distinctiveness of current models for reasons of fidelity, model identity and marketing, this unifying approach advocates for recognition of the commonality and complementarity of contemporary RBP models. The article argues that systemic theory which applies a social constructionist orientation can provide this coherence, helping social workers develop their practice in an informed way. In making this case, the emergent evidence base is noted and recommendations are made about how greater convergence and complementarity can be promoted. This article contributes to the debate about how practice and policy should be guided by theoretical ideas of coherence, alongside more utilitarian ideas advocating the importance of evidence and effectiveness.

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