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Code of Practice
                      and
   Ethical Dilemmas
       T.Y. LEE, Fieldwork Coordinator BSW
1999                   T.Y. LEE              1
The Code of Practice for Registered
   Social Workers in Hong Kong
       Prepared by
       The Hong Kong Social
       Workers Registration Board




1999             T.Y. LEE     2
The Code of Practice
       is an operational statement of
       the central values of the social
       work profession.
       Social work students should be
       thoroughly familiar with it.
       Represents standards of ethical
       behavior for social workers.
1999            T.Y. LEE          3
Contents of the Code of
   Practice
    1. Basic values and beliefs
    2. Principles of practice




1999       T.Y. LEE      4
Principles of Practice
       Personal Conduct
       Clients
       Colleagues
       Agency
       Profession
1999
       Society T.Y. LEE   5
Violation of the Code of Practice
       may lead to failure in fieldwork
       assessment
       if a placement student breaches the Code,
       when evidence for the malpractice is
       upheld,
       his/her fieldwork will be given a
       failure or zero mark
1999               T.Y. LEE             6
What is an ethical dilemma? It is
   a Conflict between ...
       ones personal and professional values
       two values/ethical principles
       two possible actions each with reasons
       strongly favorable and unfavorable
       two unsatisfactory alternatives
       ones values/principles and ones perceived
       role
       the need to act and the need to reflect
1999              T.Y. LEE               7
Can ethical dilemma be avoided?

       You can   avoid ethical
       dilemmas! But...

       You cannot completely
       avoid ethical dilemmas!
1999          T.Y. LEE      8
You can avoid ethical dilemmas!
   An Example
       Your placement is in a school, you should
       give prior thought to how you would
       respond when a child reveals abuse or
       neglect.
       Find out how your field instructor wants
       you to handle these situations.
       What information does the school expect
       you will share with concerned teachers?
       The principal?
1999              T.Y. LEE              9
You cannot completely avoid
   ethical dilemmas!
       It is best to prepare yourself for
       them
       by examining your own values from
       time to time
       and learning all you can about:
       how past ethical problems in your
       placement settings were resolved.
1999             T.Y. LEE            10
What are the behaviors that
       will almost always be viewed as




       unethical?
1999                T.Y. LEE         11
Sexual intimacy with clients




1999        T.Y. LEE       12
Libeling or slandering a client




1999        T.Y. LEE        13
Sharing confidences without
   compelling professional reasons




1999        T.Y. LEE        14
Assaulting, causing physical
   injuries, or placing clients in danger




1999          T.Y. LEE            15
Discriminatory practices




1999       T.Y. LEE     16
Withdrawing services precipitously
   (abandoning a client)




1999         T.Y. LEE          17
Failure to warn and protect the
   victim of a violent crime




1999         T.Y. LEE         18
Failure to exercise reasonable
   precautions with a potentially
   suicidal client




1999         T.Y. LEE         19
Promising cures for problems




1999        T.Y. LEE        20
How do I avoid rushing
   into ethical dilemmas?
       Develop a working knowledge
       of the Code of Practice
       (by necessity they cannot be specific to
       every possible ethics violation)
       By anticipating likely trouble
       spots before they occur.
1999               T.Y. LEE               21
How do I                   resolve      ethical
   dilemmas?
       The first step is recognizing the problem
       and identifying the source of the conflict.
       You also must keep all parties informed
       of your legal and ethical obligations.
       Engage clients or involved parties in
       dialogue, and brainstorm the best
       course of action.
1999               T.Y. LEE               22
Make sure you are constantly keeping in
       mind the mission of the profession and
       observing the clients right to self-
       determination.
       If you are still unclear about what to do, discuss
       the situation with your field   instructor.
       Protect the identity of the client if
       necessary, and present the situation as a
       hypothetical case if you need external
       help.
1999                  T.Y. LEE                   23
The priority ranking of ethical
  principles (Lowenberg and Dolgoff ,1992) An
  approach for ordering social work values that might help you
  get off the horns of a dilemma.
       Protection of life
       Equality
       Autonomy and freedom
       Least harm
       Quality of life
       Privacy and confidentiality
       Truthfulness and full disclosure
1999                 T.Y. LEE                     24
How do I know whether I am
   doing the right thing?
       It is not always possible to know,
       but there is a greater chance that
       we can feel good about the decision we
       have to make
       if we go through a deliberate process where
       we examine our values,
       seek additional information, and

1999
       consult others.
                 T.Y. LEE                   25
A Decision-Making Model: 5
   Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)
       1. definition of the dilemma,




1999           T.Y. LEE         26
A Decision-Making Model: 5
   Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983).
       looking at all the
       relevant facts
       and developing
       valid arguments
       for various
       courses of
       action,
1999             T.Y. LEE   27
A Decision-Making Model: 5
   Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)
                     3. consideration of
                     practice wisdom,
                     personal beliefs
                     and values, and
                     how these might
                     influence the final
                     decision,
1999      T.Y. LEE              28
A Decision-Making Model: 5
   Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)
       4. developing options,
       exploring
       compromises,
       evaluating alternatives
       in an attempt to find a
       course of action with
       the least negative
       effects, and
1999             T.Y. LEE        29
A Decision-Making Model: 5
   Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983)
       5. choosing a
       position
       that you can
       defend.

1999           T.Y. LEE   30
The End

       Read the Code of Practice and
          keep a copy while you
                 practice
1999                T.Y. LEE           31

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  • 1. Code of Practice and Ethical Dilemmas T.Y. LEE, Fieldwork Coordinator BSW 1999 T.Y. LEE 1
  • 2. The Code of Practice for Registered Social Workers in Hong Kong Prepared by The Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board 1999 T.Y. LEE 2
  • 3. The Code of Practice is an operational statement of the central values of the social work profession. Social work students should be thoroughly familiar with it. Represents standards of ethical behavior for social workers. 1999 T.Y. LEE 3
  • 4. Contents of the Code of Practice 1. Basic values and beliefs 2. Principles of practice 1999 T.Y. LEE 4
  • 5. Principles of Practice Personal Conduct Clients Colleagues Agency Profession 1999 Society T.Y. LEE 5
  • 6. Violation of the Code of Practice may lead to failure in fieldwork assessment if a placement student breaches the Code, when evidence for the malpractice is upheld, his/her fieldwork will be given a failure or zero mark 1999 T.Y. LEE 6
  • 7. What is an ethical dilemma? It is a Conflict between ... ones personal and professional values two values/ethical principles two possible actions each with reasons strongly favorable and unfavorable two unsatisfactory alternatives ones values/principles and ones perceived role the need to act and the need to reflect 1999 T.Y. LEE 7
  • 8. Can ethical dilemma be avoided? You can avoid ethical dilemmas! But... You cannot completely avoid ethical dilemmas! 1999 T.Y. LEE 8
  • 9. You can avoid ethical dilemmas! An Example Your placement is in a school, you should give prior thought to how you would respond when a child reveals abuse or neglect. Find out how your field instructor wants you to handle these situations. What information does the school expect you will share with concerned teachers? The principal? 1999 T.Y. LEE 9
  • 10. You cannot completely avoid ethical dilemmas! It is best to prepare yourself for them by examining your own values from time to time and learning all you can about: how past ethical problems in your placement settings were resolved. 1999 T.Y. LEE 10
  • 11. What are the behaviors that will almost always be viewed as unethical? 1999 T.Y. LEE 11
  • 12. Sexual intimacy with clients 1999 T.Y. LEE 12
  • 13. Libeling or slandering a client 1999 T.Y. LEE 13
  • 14. Sharing confidences without compelling professional reasons 1999 T.Y. LEE 14
  • 15. Assaulting, causing physical injuries, or placing clients in danger 1999 T.Y. LEE 15
  • 17. Withdrawing services precipitously (abandoning a client) 1999 T.Y. LEE 17
  • 18. Failure to warn and protect the victim of a violent crime 1999 T.Y. LEE 18
  • 19. Failure to exercise reasonable precautions with a potentially suicidal client 1999 T.Y. LEE 19
  • 20. Promising cures for problems 1999 T.Y. LEE 20
  • 21. How do I avoid rushing into ethical dilemmas? Develop a working knowledge of the Code of Practice (by necessity they cannot be specific to every possible ethics violation) By anticipating likely trouble spots before they occur. 1999 T.Y. LEE 21
  • 22. How do I resolve ethical dilemmas? The first step is recognizing the problem and identifying the source of the conflict. You also must keep all parties informed of your legal and ethical obligations. Engage clients or involved parties in dialogue, and brainstorm the best course of action. 1999 T.Y. LEE 22
  • 23. Make sure you are constantly keeping in mind the mission of the profession and observing the clients right to self- determination. If you are still unclear about what to do, discuss the situation with your field instructor. Protect the identity of the client if necessary, and present the situation as a hypothetical case if you need external help. 1999 T.Y. LEE 23
  • 24. The priority ranking of ethical principles (Lowenberg and Dolgoff ,1992) An approach for ordering social work values that might help you get off the horns of a dilemma. Protection of life Equality Autonomy and freedom Least harm Quality of life Privacy and confidentiality Truthfulness and full disclosure 1999 T.Y. LEE 24
  • 25. How do I know whether I am doing the right thing? It is not always possible to know, but there is a greater chance that we can feel good about the decision we have to make if we go through a deliberate process where we examine our values, seek additional information, and 1999 consult others. T.Y. LEE 25
  • 26. A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983) 1. definition of the dilemma, 1999 T.Y. LEE 26
  • 27. A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983). looking at all the relevant facts and developing valid arguments for various courses of action, 1999 T.Y. LEE 27
  • 28. A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983) 3. consideration of practice wisdom, personal beliefs and values, and how these might influence the final decision, 1999 T.Y. LEE 28
  • 29. A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983) 4. developing options, exploring compromises, evaluating alternatives in an attempt to find a course of action with the least negative effects, and 1999 T.Y. LEE 29
  • 30. A Decision-Making Model: 5 Steps (M.V. Joseph, 1983) 5. choosing a position that you can defend. 1999 T.Y. LEE 30
  • 31. The End Read the Code of Practice and keep a copy while you practice 1999 T.Y. LEE 31