FLD201 Ethics and Professional Practice Report Sample
Assignment Details
Question 1: Ethical Theories and Concepts (approx. 400-500 words)
An experienced community organisation providing services designed to assist older people, their families, and carers in a town has been granted additional funding. After a consultation and discussion process with the community and various stakeholders, four proposals have emerged:
Proposal 1: Care Finder Service. The authors of this proposal suggest aligning with the organisation’s core aims and values, which were declared upon its establishment – namely, prioritising and assisting the older population who do not have an informal network of support (such as families or friends). This proposal argues for a “care finder service,” which will support vulnerable older people who do not have family or friends and cannot arrange services without intensive support. This service provides face-to-face support and referrals to nearby aged care and community services, as well as assisting with My Aged Care assessment applications, if eligible. While this group may not be very numerous, it will address the challenges faced by this group of older people, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to its core mission.
Proposal 2: Education Sessions. The authors of this proposal criticise the previous suggestion. They believe it is not the most pressing issue encountering the people who seek assistance from their organisation. Instead, they propose spending this money on organising education sessions, which will offer a free education programs delivered by experienced staff that provide education sessions to local organisations or community groups in town, such as residential care or home care services. These sessions help to increase awareness about older people's rights, elder abuse, and residential aged and home care services while also improving the capacity of aged care workers to protect and advocate for these rights. It will allow the organisation to extend professional assistance to older people beyond the organisation’s clients and also help prevent certain problems in advance.
Proposal 3: Care Finder Service, Education Sessions and Outreach Staff for Migrant Older People. The authors of this proposal agree with both of the above ideas, but suggest allocating only part of the funds to both the care finder service and education sessions. This is because they also suggest using the some of the money to hire an outreach staff member to work with migrant older people who do not speak English or speak English poorly. The number of such people has increased in the area recently, and they have specific needs, such as translator assistance or information about the town’s service provision in their languages. Therefore, according to the authors of this report, these can be considered urgent issues that some members of the community face and must be addressed as soon as possible.
Proposal 4: Targeting Older Males. The authors of this proposal suggest spending the money on the town’s older male population, encouraging them to use the organisation’s resources and services. The proposal’s authors showed that 90% of its clients are female. They emphasised that it is important to encourage males who need their support to use their services, too.
Drawing on theoretical framework examined in class and through your readings in Moodle:
• Determine which theories and models of justice guide the four proposals.
- Select one theory and one model for each proposal.
- A theory or model can be applied to more than one proposal, and some theories or models may be irrelevant to certain proposals. Additionally, a hybrid model may be used.
Question 2 AB: Ethical Principles, Values and Power Differential in Community Service Work
(approx. 200-300 words)
The client, Gloria, shares with a case worker her plans to enter into an unprotected sexual relationship with her boyfriend, who is living with AIDS. Gloria emphasises her commitment to supporting her boyfriend during his terminal illness as a demonstration of her love. She wishes to share every aspect of his lived experience, being with him in happiness, sorrow, and illness.
Question 2A: Given that AIDS is related to the medical field and sexual activity is a personal choice, should a case worker have ethical concerns about this situation?
- Briefly answer the question above, then
- Identify ethical principles which may be relevant for explanation the ethical concerns (two more relevant). Consult the ACWA code of ethics and the ACWA Work Practice Guidelines to consider this question. What principle or guideline number in these ACWA documents would you refer as case worker to?
- How can the case worker’s personal values, beliefs, and interests potentially influence the helping process? Refer to one of the ACWA documents.
Question 2B: Explain how a power differential is related to this scenario. Using the materials in Moodle, identify three (3) types of power that are relevant to this scenario and two (2) types of power that are less relevant or irrelevant. Clearly show the ethical tensions and implications for this case.
Solution
Question 1: Ethical Theories and Concepts
Proposal 1: Care Finder Service
Theory
Deontological Ethics
“Deontological ethics” focuses on “adherence to” the duty and principles (Hallgarth, 1998). Proposal 1 is aligned with this theory by emphasizing the “organization's core mission”. Particularly, it refers to “offering support” to the older individuals without “an informal network of support”. As stated in the proposal, the organization focuses on providing “face-to-face assistance”, “intensive care etc. to its most vulnerable clients in the form of “duty”.
Model
Needs-Based Justice
This model generally prioritizes “resource allocation” based on “individual needs”. According to the key concept of “Needs-Based Justice”, the “individuals with the greatest needs” must receive appropriate support. The “Care Finder Service” aims to address the severe challenges encountered by the older individuals without family or friends.
Proposal 2: Education Sessions
Theory
Utilitarianism
“Utilitarianism” refers to maximizing overall “happiness and well-being”. Proposal 2 is focused on providing “education sessions” in order to raise awareness about “elder abuse”, “older people's rights” and “care services”. This proposal aims to prevent issues before they actually arise by extending professional assistance to a broader audience. It focuses on enhancing the overall well-being of the community for university assignment help.
Model
Distributive Justice
“Distributive justice” refers to the “fair allocation of resources” across society. The “education sessions” aim to spread knowledge and resources at the large scale. It benefits a larger portion of the community. This proposal has ensured that the benefits of the funding must be distributed more broadly. Precisely, it promotes “equitable distribution” of knowledge and resources.
Proposal 3: Care Finder Service, Education Sessions, and Outreach Staff for Migrant Older People
Theory
Capability Approach
The “capability approach” focuses on enhancing “the abilities of the individuals” towards achieving “well-being”. This proposal has addressed the “needs of various vulnerable groups” including non-English-speaking migrants. It is essential to provide them with the necessary support in order to enhance their capabilities and overall well-being.
Model
Hybrid Model (Needs-Based and Distributive Justice)
This “hybrid model” has combined elements of both “distributive justice” and “needs-based”. This proposal has shed light on “fund allocation” to both the “Care Finder Service” and “Education Sessions”.
Proposal 4: Targeting Older Males
Theory
Egalitarianism
“Egalitarianism” emphasizes on “equality and equal access” to resources and opportunities. Proposal 4 has focused on addressing the “gender imbalance” in the client base of an organization. This approach seeks to ensure that older males have “equal access” to the organization's resources. The same is aimed at promoting “gender equality”.
Model
Social Inclusion
Social inclusion aims to ensure that all individuals including the “marginalized groups” must be included in societal activities and services. This proposal has promoted “the inclusion of older males” in the community’s support system. This model is aligned with the goal of achieving a “balanced and inclusive” service provision.
Question 2: Ethical Principles, Values and Power Differential in Community Service Work
Question 2A
Ethical Concerns
A case worker must have “ethical concerns” about Gloria's situation. It has been identified that unprotected sexual activity with “a partner living with AIDS” can instigate significant health risks. The case worker must consider the duty to protect Gloria’s well-being. In addition, the case worker must provide her effective guidance on safe practices (acwa, 2024).
Ethical Principles
Relevant ethical principles include the following as enlisted below
• Non-Maleficence
The duty to do no harm (ACWA Code of Ethics, Principle 3.2)
• Beneficence
The obligation to promote overall well-being of the client (ACWA Code of Ethics, Principle 3.1)
Referring to the “ACWA Code of Ethics”, the case worker must consider Principle 3.1. The same has emphasized on promoting proper well-being of the client. Even, Principle 3.2 has shed light on the significance of avoiding harm.
Influence of Personal Values
The case worker’s beliefs, personal values and interests can shape “the helping process” by introducing judgment or bias (Pullen-Sansfacon, 2010). According to the ACWA Work Practice Guidelines, it is significant for the case worker to remain objective and non-judgmental (Guideline 2.3.1). The case workers must be motivated to provide “ethical and effective support” (socialworktoday, 2024).
Question 2B: Power Differential
The power differential may arise from the case worker's “access to resources”, “professional authority” and “knowledge”. Relevant types of power are as follows;
• Informational Power
Access to critical information about safe sex and AIDS
• Expert Power
Overall knowledge of the case worker about health risks and safe practices
• Legitimate Power
Authority to provide support and guidance as part of their role
“Less relevant types” of power include are as follows;
• Referent Power
Influence based on personal relationships. The same is less relevant in a professional setting.
• Coercive Power
It refers to the ability to punish an individual (Clifford, 2016). It is not applicable in this context.
Reference list
acwa,(2024).For qualified community workers the requirement for ethical practice is absolute. Retrieved from: https://www.acwa.org.au/workers/ethics-and-standards/ [Retrieved on 19 June 2024]
Clifford, D. (2016). Oppression and professional ethics. Ethics and Social Welfare, 10(1), 4-18.Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2015.1072225 [Retrieved on 19 June 2024]
Hallgarth, M. W. (1998). Consequentialism and deontology. Retrieved from: https://sci-hub.se/tree/a2/e3/a2e3a20ad6519e6e08623d6aa88939f2.pdf [Retrieved on 19 June 2024]
Pullen-Sansfacon, A. (2010). Virtue ethics for social work: A new pedagogy for practical reasoning. Social Work Education, 29(4), 402-415. Retrieved from: DOI: 10.1080/02615470902991734 [Retrieved on 19 June 2024]
socialworktoday,(2024).This involves active regard for another person, a form of caring and beneficence that attempts to alleviate the suffering of another person. Retrieved from: https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/060117.shtml [Retrieved on 19 June 2024]
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