Ethical Dilemma in Child Placement Scenario - Term Paper Example

Ethical dilemma in child placement scenario Ethical dilemma in child placement scenario Scenario: As an employee at a human services agency, my duties include finding temporary placement for three clients (children aged 5-12 years) over the holidays. I am unable to find placement for one of the children, a victim of sexual abuse. I have two options that are to either leave the child at the agency or take him home with me. I will use ethical theories to solve the ethical dilemma and make the most appropriate decision. 1.0 Introduction The responsibilities of human services workers extend beyond the provision of direct care to clients to solving interpersonal problems, improving the access to basic needs, and providing social and moral support during difficult times in their lives. The human services workers are expected to adhere to the legal, ethical and moral expectations of their profession while making decisions in their everyday work. The workers must protect their clients’ rights and ensure human dignity in their practice (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007). 2.0 Current legal and regulatory requirements in the ethical dilemma The current legal framework requires human services workers to offer their services without any discrimination or preference on the basis of color, culture, race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status (Woodside & McClam, 2009). The Civil Rights Act 1964 prohibits all manner of discrimination, and treat all clients equality despite their identifiable characteristics such as age or origin. The Child abuse prevention and treatment Act (CAPTA) 1974 fosters the rights of children and numerous states have enacted laws they protect child abuse and neglect. The situation requires me to protect the sexually abused child’s right to privacy and confidentiality according to the federal, state and local laws on confidentiality. For instance, I am expected to take safe custody of the child records and refrain exposing information regarding the sex abuse suffered by the child in order to prevent further harm (Timmons, 2013). The profession regulatory requires me to consider the conflict of the values of obeying the law and values of serving the clients thus, I will assist the child in reporting the sexual offenders to the law enforcement agencies (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007). Furthermore, I am expected to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity and appreciate the different cultural values of the child in making an informed decision on the welfare of the child. 3.0 Legal, professional, and personal risks associated with both options The situation entails various legal, professional and personal risks that are attached to each option in the ethical dilemma. Statement 4 of the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) requires the human services workers to protect the safety of clients who are in danger of any harm through seeking consultation, breaking the confidentiality or even supervision. I am supposed to respect the integrity and welfare of my clients through treating them with respect, acceptance and dignity (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007). As a human services worker, I am supposed to be a caregiver, outreach professional, advocate, behavior changer and case manager. A. Leaving the child at the agency Although it has been impossible to secure placement for the sexually abused child, leaving the child at the agency may be construed as discriminatory and various laws require human services workers to avoid discriminatory practices in interacting with their clients. Accordingly, the child is at risk of harm and I should refrain from exposing confidential and private information of the child in order to prevent the likelihood of further abuse (Woodside & McClam, 2009). The child is also undergoing a difficult situation and I should promote the welfare of the child through supportive and meaningful relationships that will enable the child make an informed choice. However, as a child, he or she is not capable of making informed choice on whether to stay at the agency or accompany me home and thus I should take a decision that promotes the best interest of the child (Timmons, 2013). B. Taking the sexually abused child home I should support the child in making informed decision or consent before the child can accompany me home. However, the child is incapable of making an informed decision and I should seek the permission of the agency in order to take the child home (Timmons, 2013). As a human services worker, I am expected to pursue social justice to protect the sexually abused child for the difficult situation and possibility of future harm. I am expected to promote and maintain purposeful relationships with the abused child and promote ethical values of integrity in my relationship with the child and the agency. The law requires individuals to refrain from engaging in sexual relationships with minors and protect the privacy of children (Timmons, 2013). I should not engage in sexual relationships or sexual contact with the child and I should not maintain close personal relationships that may create risk of exploitation or harm to the child. According to nonmaleficence principle, I am expected to refrain from doing harm to the child or engaging in actions that may risk harming others (Timmons, 2013). The beneficence principle requires me to do good and contribute towards the welfare of the child through taking proactive measures that will safeguard the child from harm. According to justice principle, I should treat others equally and thus taking the child me with home is a best course of action. Similarly, I am expected to remain faithful and honor all commitments thus I will protect the child from any possible harm while she or he is in my custody (Timmons, 2013). I am aware that this option has a personal risk since I am likely to develop very close personal relationship with the child, but I will follow the ethical code of conduct in order to avoid the personal risk. There is a personal risk since the child may not prefer my decision, but I will gather information, use the ethical principles and determine the nature of the moral dilemma (Woodside & McClam, 2009). Finally, I will evaluate and understand the consequences of the course of action and determine the outcomes of the decision. 4.0 Ethical implications of both options a. Leaving the child agency The first option in the ethical dilemma is to leave the sexually abused child at the agency and this means that the child has no placement that can offer socialization and protection from risks of more sexual abuses (Woodside & McClam, 2009). The option implies that I should continue looking for a placement for the child and adhere with all my commitments to the agency. The option implies that the agency should undertake measures in securing the child a placement immediately in order to prevent further harm on the child and explore other measures of protecting the child. b. Take him home with me The second available option is to take the sexually abused child home with me and this implies that I should take measures that promote the wellbeing of the child. This means that I will be tasked with maintaining the integrity, safety and security of the child records and confidential information (Woodside & McClam, 2009). The option implies that is should develop and maintain meaningful relationships with the child and refrain from any personal or sexual relationships (Graham, 2004). The option means that I should recognize and appreciate the unique cultural background, values and needs of the child and develop care programs that will cater for the unique needs of the child (Woodside & McClam, 2009) The option means that I should use my competencies appropriately and where possible collaborate with other professionals such as clinicians and law enforcement agencies in protecting the child from harm and advancing the welfare of the child (Timmons, 2013). 5.0 The best course of action- Take the child home with me The best course of action is to take the child home with me rather than leaving the child at the agency. According to virtue theory of ethics, I should be guided by the virtues of honesty, integrity, responsibility and service to humanity thus taking the child home with me is the best course of action since it promotes the wellbeing of the child (Mackinnon, 2012). According to utilitarian theory, the decision to take the child with me home as highest benefits for the child since it will protect the child from further harm and allow the child to heal from the previous abuses (Graham, 2004). The child will benefit from my supportive relationships and counseling. According to deontological theories, I have an ethical duty to promote the welfare of my clients and refrain from doing harm to my clients thus taking the child home is the best course of action that fulfills my duty and obligation as a human services worker since it has been impossible to find a placement for the child (Mackinnon, 2012). My course of action has considered the needs of the child since taking the child with me will offer protection, socialization and protection from self-harm. The justice principle requires me to treat the child with respect and dignity through promoting the wellbeing of the child, fostering the best interest of the child and refraining from behaviors that may harm the child. However, children are incapable of making competent decisions and I will not allow the child to make a decision that can lead to self-harm or harm to others (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007). 6.0 Conclusion Human services workers are responsible for supporting their clients during their difficult times and solving their interpersonal problems. The workers are expected to work within their scope of competence and foster the welfare of their clients. The human services workers must be aware of the legal, professional and personal risks that ate involved in different ethical dilemmas. The worker must adhere to ethical principles and follow an ethical decision-making model that fosters the rights of the client and maximum wellbeing of the client. The workers must refrain from discrimination or breach of confidentiality and any conflicts of interest or sexual relationships that may harm the client. References: Corey, G., Corey, M & Callanan, P. (2007). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. Belmont: Thomson/Brooks. Graham, G. (2004). Eight theories of ethics. New York: Psychology Press. Mackinnon, B. (2012). Ethics: theory and contemporary issues, concise edition. Belmont: Wadsworth. Timmons, M. (2013). Moral theory: an introduction. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Woodside, M & McClam, T. (2009). An introduction to human services. Belmont: Thomson. Read More