When social workers are confronted between choices of two equally unwelcome alternative conflicts involving a difficult moral decision, it is known as an ethical dilemma (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2015, p. 73). Ethical dilemmas arise when the principles of the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct’s guidelines and boundaries have been crossed, resulting in dual relationships (Reamer, 2003). But as will be discussed, social workers continue to face barriers that exist within the Human Service practice, resulting in ethical dilemmas where boundaries are unclear. This essay will examine what barriers exist and suggestions in resolving these ethical dilemmas.
Firstly, organisers need to establish if there is an ethical dilemma by asking questions …show more content…
Reamer suggests that dual and multiple relationships in practice demonstrate ethical and potential boundary issues, involving social workers that encounter actual or potential conflicts between professional duties and their sexual, social, religious or business relationships (2003). Dual relationships primarily occur between social workers and that of current and past clients, social workers and their colleagues including supervisees and students, for example, if a social worker were to engage in a sexual relationship with a client or influence a client who may be terminally ill to ensure they will be included in the will (Reamer, …show more content…
For example, a social worker who discloses personal information to a client outlining their intimate details about their private life can confuse the client and compromise the client’s mental health due to complicated transference issues caused by the social workers self-disclosure (Reamer, 2003). Reamer continues to suggest that boundary issues in social work can be placed into five conceptual categories that revolve around the five most central themes pertaining to social workers consisting of; (1) imitate relationships, (2) pursuit of personal benefit, (3) emotional and dependence needs, (4) altruistic gestures and (5) responses to unanticipated circumstances
Firstly, organisers need to establish if there is an ethical dilemma by asking questions …show more content…
Reamer suggests that dual and multiple relationships in practice demonstrate ethical and potential boundary issues, involving social workers that encounter actual or potential conflicts between professional duties and their sexual, social, religious or business relationships (2003). Dual relationships primarily occur between social workers and that of current and past clients, social workers and their colleagues including supervisees and students, for example, if a social worker were to engage in a sexual relationship with a client or influence a client who may be terminally ill to ensure they will be included in the will (Reamer, …show more content…
For example, a social worker who discloses personal information to a client outlining their intimate details about their private life can confuse the client and compromise the client’s mental health due to complicated transference issues caused by the social workers self-disclosure (Reamer, 2003). Reamer continues to suggest that boundary issues in social work can be placed into five conceptual categories that revolve around the five most central themes pertaining to social workers consisting of; (1) imitate relationships, (2) pursuit of personal benefit, (3) emotional and dependence needs, (4) altruistic gestures and (5) responses to unanticipated circumstances