Ethical Conflicts
Discussion: Ethical Conflicts
Human services professionals are often faced with ethical dilemmas as they balance client needs with the rules and regulations of organizations and systems. To help maintain this delicate balance and guide practice decisions, professionals must follow codes of ethical conduct. For this Discussion, review the media program “Barbara—The Human Services Professional: Chapter 4,” and reflect on how you, as the human services professional, might address the ethical conflict portrayed.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post a brief description of an ethical conflict that the human services professional in the media presentation is facing. Explain why it is an ethical conflict and how you would address it if you were in this professional’s role. Then, support your post by identifying a code of ethics that justifies your position. (Refer to this week’s Learning Resources for links to ethical codes.)
Ethics – Chapter 4
Ethics – Chapter 4 Program Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
On-screen Graphic: Ethics – Chapter 4
On-screen Graphic: A few minutes have passed since the HSP’s most recent meeting with John regarding the status of his visitation rights, and she sits alone in her office reflecting on her thoughts about the case and, specifically, her ethical requirements as part of her role as a HSP.
On-screen Visual: The HSP sits alone at the table in the coffee shop and reflects on her meeting with John.
HSP: (thinking to herself) – Here I have this client, John, who’s charged with domestic violence against his boys’ mother. Normally I’d consider this a clear signal of a possible threat.
HSP: (thinking to herself) – The safety and well-being of the children is always paramount in any case, but knowing John’s story and circumstances of his criminal charge and his history as a teacher, coach, and father to these two young boys, I can’t help but to feel some bit of sympathy for him. He hasn’t had any previous history of violence or conflicts with law enforcement. The guy just wants to reconnect with his children after having been away from them for more than 2 weeks.
HSP: (thinking to herself) – It seems to me that if John’s wife, Chahana, had a better handle on her own personal situation all of this could have been avoided. I mean she was in bed with his cousin. Anybody would be in a fit of rage if they came home to that.
HSP: (thinking to herself) – Let’s take step back here. I have enough experience with this to know there are no simple stories or simple solutions in this field. That’s one of the challenges I enjoy about this job. Also, I have to make sure that I am not letting personal values and emotions cloud my professional judgment.
HSP: (thinking to herself) – What’s in the best interest of my client and his family? What can I do in the immediate future to assist this family with their current situation?
© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 1
Ethics – Chapter 4
HSP: (thinking to herself) – I think a lot of these surrounding variables will be resolved once it’s clear as to whether John and Chahana decide to work out their issues or choose to move towards a permanent separation. We probably have some time until that happens though.
Fade to Black
Ethics – Chapter 4 Additional Content Attribution
Creative Support Services Los Angeles, CA
Dimension Sound Effects Library Newnan, GA
Narrator Tracks Music Library Stevens Point, WI
Signature Music, Inc. Chesterton, IN
Studio Cutz Music Library Carrollton, TX
© 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. 2
Ethical Standards for HS Professionals
Ethical Standards for Human Services Professionals National Organization of Human Services adopted 2015
Ethical Standards Subjects
Preamble Responsibilty to the Public & Society Responsibility to Clients Responsibility to Employers Responsibility to Colleagues Responsibility to Self Responsibility to the Profession Responsibility to Students Preamble
Human services is a profession developed in response to the direction of human needs and human problems in the 1960’s. Characterized by an appreciation of human beings in all of their diversity, human services offers assistance to its clients within the context of their communities and environments. Human service professionals and those who educate them promote and encourage the unique values and characteristics of human services. In so doing, human service professionals uphold the integrity and ethics of the profession, promote client and community well-being, and enhance their own professional growth.
The fundamental values of the human services profession include respecting the dignity and welfare of all people; promoting self-determination; honoring cultural diversity; advocating for social justice; and acting with integrity, honesty, genuineness and objectivity.
Human service professionals consider these standards in ethical and professional decision making. Conflicts may exist between this code and laws, workplace policies, cultural practices, credentialing boards, and personal beliefs. Ethical-decision making processes should be employed to assure careful choices. Although ethical codes are not legal documents, they may be used to address issues related to the behavior of human service professionals.
Persons who use this code include members of the National Organization for Human Services, students in relevant academic degree programs, faculty in those same programs, researchers, administrators, and professionals in community agencies who identify with the profession of human services. The ethical standards are organized in sections around those persons to whom ethical practice should be applied.
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#preamble
#public
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Ethical Standards for HS Professionals
Responsibility to Clients
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STANDARD 1 Human service professionals recognize and build on client and community strengths.
STANDARD 2 Human service professionals obtain informed consent to provide services to clients at the beginning of the helping relationship. Clients should be informed that they may withdraw consent at any time except where denied by court order and should be able to ask questions before agreeing to the services. Clients who are unable to give consent should have those who are legally able to give consent for them review an informed consent statement and provide appropriate consent.
STANDARD 3 Human service professionals protect the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality except when such confidentiality would cause serious harm to the client or others, when agency guidelines state otherwise, or under other stated conditions (e.g., local, state, or federal laws). Human service professionals inform clients of the limits of confidentiality prior to the onset of the helping relationship.
STANDARD 4 If it is suspected that danger or harm may occur to the client or to others as a result of a client’s behavior, the human service professional acts in an appropriate and professional manner to protect the safety of those individuals. This may involve, but is not limited to, seeking consultation, supervision, and/or breaking the confidentiality of the relationship.
STANDARD 5 Human service professionals recognize that multiple relationships may increase the risk of harm to or exploitation of clients and may impair their professional judgment. When it is not feasible to avoid dual or multiple relationships, human service professionals should consider whether the professional relationship should avoided or curtailed.
STANDARD 6 Sexual or romantic relationships with current clients are prohibited. Before engaging in sexual or romantic relationships with former clients, friends, or family members of
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Ethical Standards for HS Professionals
former clients, human service professionals carefully evaluate potential exploitation or harm and refrain from entering into such a relationship.
STANDARD 7 Human service professionals ensure that their values or biases are not imposed upon their clients.
STANDARD 8 Human service professionals protect the integrity, safety, and security of client records. Client information in written or electronic form that is shared with other professionals must have the client’s prior written consent except in the course of professional supervision or when legally obliged or permitted to share such information.
STANDARD 9 When providing services through the use of technology, human service professionals take precautions to ensure and maintain confidentiality and comply with all relevant laws and requirements regarding storing, transmitting, and retrieving data. In addition, human service professionals ensure that clients are aware of any issues and concerns related to confidentiality, service issues, and how technology might negatively or positively impact the helping relationship.
Responsibility to the Public and Society
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STANDARD 10 Human service professionals provide services without discrimination or preference in regards to age, ethnicity, culture, race, ability, gender, language preference, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, or other historically oppressed groups.
STANDARD 11 Human service professionals are knowledgeable about their cultures and communities within which they practice. They are aware of multiculturalism in society and its impact on the community as well as individuals within the community. They respect the cultures and beliefs of individuals and groups.
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Ethical Standards for HS Professionals
STANDARD 12 Human service professionals are aware of local, state, and federal laws. They advocate for change in regulations and statutes when such legislation conflicts with ethical guidelines and/or client rights. Where laws are harmful to individuals, groups, or communities, human service professionals consider the conflict between the values of obeying the law and the values of serving people and may…
