Introduction
When dealing with complex situations in the company of ethical dilemmas, controversial debates on human rights, and legislations, it is important for a social worker to be critically reflective to ensure effective practice. Sophie, who is a sixteen year old girl living in Regional Victoria, is nineteen weeks pregnant and has indicated that she would like to terminate the pregnancy, against her mother’s religious beliefs. The predominant ethical dilemma in this scenario is Sophie’s right to autonomy versus her mother’s potential imposing religious beliefs. Utilising Kerridge et.al’s model for Ethical Decision Making (2009), three diverse options: terminate the pregnancy, keep the baby and put the baby for adoption are illustrated …show more content…
From a human rights and strengths based perspective, Sophie is an expert in her own life and she has the right to make decisions for herself (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2008).
A social worker’s duty of care varies with each individual, but since Sophie is a vulnerable individual, the duty of care is heightened when working with her (AASW, 2010). This includes the responsibility to “assess, minimize and actively manage risk for harm” (p.37). If at any time that a social worker has suspicions that Sophie will carry out the termination herself in dangerous circumstances or is at risk, it is obligated to report this to relevant services even though it would breach confidentiality (AASW, …show more content…
However, professional boundaries need to be transparent and to avoid conflicts of interest, a social worker should work with Sophie as she is the primary client instead of the mother who still has some control over Sophie’s life (AASW, 2010).
Sophie’s mother has expressed her religious beliefs, however, she has no say in Sophie’s final decision for two important reasons. Firstly, Sophie is on a guardianship order not under her mother’s care and secondly, Sophie can make decisions of her own since she is ‘Gillick Competent’. The ethical principles: autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality, and avoidance of harm all relate to Sophie’s case study.
In terms of autonomy, Sophie has already indicated that she wants an abortion, by forcing her to go through with the pregnancy, it takes away her right to self-determination, her right to avoidance of harm and it impacts on her quality of life, as well as having many emotional and physical consequences. Due to word limit constraints, ethical principles regarding the case is illustrated in Appendix B, C and
When dealing with complex situations in the company of ethical dilemmas, controversial debates on human rights, and legislations, it is important for a social worker to be critically reflective to ensure effective practice. Sophie, who is a sixteen year old girl living in Regional Victoria, is nineteen weeks pregnant and has indicated that she would like to terminate the pregnancy, against her mother’s religious beliefs. The predominant ethical dilemma in this scenario is Sophie’s right to autonomy versus her mother’s potential imposing religious beliefs. Utilising Kerridge et.al’s model for Ethical Decision Making (2009), three diverse options: terminate the pregnancy, keep the baby and put the baby for adoption are illustrated …show more content…
From a human rights and strengths based perspective, Sophie is an expert in her own life and she has the right to make decisions for herself (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2008).
A social worker’s duty of care varies with each individual, but since Sophie is a vulnerable individual, the duty of care is heightened when working with her (AASW, 2010). This includes the responsibility to “assess, minimize and actively manage risk for harm” (p.37). If at any time that a social worker has suspicions that Sophie will carry out the termination herself in dangerous circumstances or is at risk, it is obligated to report this to relevant services even though it would breach confidentiality (AASW, …show more content…
However, professional boundaries need to be transparent and to avoid conflicts of interest, a social worker should work with Sophie as she is the primary client instead of the mother who still has some control over Sophie’s life (AASW, 2010).
Sophie’s mother has expressed her religious beliefs, however, she has no say in Sophie’s final decision for two important reasons. Firstly, Sophie is on a guardianship order not under her mother’s care and secondly, Sophie can make decisions of her own since she is ‘Gillick Competent’. The ethical principles: autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality, and avoidance of harm all relate to Sophie’s case study.
In terms of autonomy, Sophie has already indicated that she wants an abortion, by forcing her to go through with the pregnancy, it takes away her right to self-determination, her right to avoidance of harm and it impacts on her quality of life, as well as having many emotional and physical consequences. Due to word limit constraints, ethical principles regarding the case is illustrated in Appendix B, C and