Ethical Dilemmas In Social Work

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Ethical dilemmas are quite commonly encountered by social workers during their interactions with clients, agency policies, procedures, colleagues and organizational systems. An ethical dilemma can be described as a predicament where a person must decide between two viable solutions that seem to have similar ethical values (Freud and Krug, 2002). Ethical dilemmas can often be resolved by the social worker by seeking assistance from a supervisor and implementing a professional code of ethics. This essay will explore an ethical dilemma reaching an ethical resolution by using decision-making skills and social work ethics and values. This essay will also identify the ethical principals that constitute the dilemma and how the professional rather …show more content…
I had a client who I had terminated services six months ago and who had completed a year of preventive services. The client had successfully completed parenting skill classes, substance abuse services, housing services and engaged in family therapy with her 8-year-old daughter. The client had a great rapport with me and had asked me if I could give her my phone number, in order to maintain a relationship. I very politely and professionally explained that I would not be able to and that I was trying to teach her how to be independent and utilized the skills she learned throughout the program. I also explained that it was important she learned to terminate relationships when needed. However, 6 months later she found my social media account and send me a friend request. At the same time, the client sent me a message describing how she and her daughter were doing and disclosed that she had found out that she was HIV positive. The client reported that she did not know what to do and was worry she would decompensate due to the many stressors in her life. The client reported that she was too ashamed to come into the office, as everyone in the office had disclosed being proud of her for achieving all her service plan goals and of becoming

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