Review the scenario below presenting an ethical dilemma and discuss the dilemmas. Discuss what ethical principles (according to the Social Work Code of Ethics) and/or practice issues are at play.
Scenario: Paul Aquizap, a third grader, has shown signs of depression and apathy. He is frequently absent from school. His teacher has referred him to the school social worker since her attempts to contact Paul’s parents have not been successful. On a home visit the social worker discovered that Paul’s parents are illegal immigrants, that they speak almost no English, and that they were hardly ever at home since they worked very long hours. Paul is left alone at home almost all the time. He finds it difficult to manage. Should the social worker ignore the illegal status of Paul’s parents and focus his attention on helping Paul? Is this legal? Is it ethical?
- Identify the ethical issues, including the social work values and duties that conflict.
- Identify the individuals, groups, and organizations that are likely to be affected by the ethical decision.
- Tentatively identify all possible courses of action and the participants involved in each, along with possible benefits and risks for each.
- Thoroughly examine the reasons in favor of and opposed to each possible course of action, considering the relevant ethical theories, principles, and guidelines; codes of ethics and legal principles; social work practice theory and principles; personal values (including religious, cultural, and ethnic values and political ideology), particularly those that conflict with one’s own.