For this assignment, identify the ethical issues at play in The Case of Marie, describe their potential consequences, and use the NASW Code of Ethics and other researched resources to apply a principled framework for resolving the dilemma.
This case involves an ethical dilemma with a diverse family, and the dilemma itself, like most ethical issues in group work, is potentially two-fold:
- The dilemma among the family members, as well as the content and manner of their communication with you.
- The ethical dilemma within yourself, as you examine your own natural preferences and biases in the context of the family and its needs.
At all levels of social work practice (micro, mezzo, and macro), the diversity of personal preferences and biases always presents the possibility of ethical compromise. Combined with potential ethical issues within the diverse situations, beliefs, and actions of the family members themselves, any given situation can quickly become ethically clouded.
Review the NASW resources in the Week 6: Social Work With Family GroupsLinks to an external site. reading list to prepare for this assignment.
In addition, familiarize yourself with the following helpful resources:
- Capella University LibraryLinks to an external site..
- How Do I Find Peer-Reviewed Articles?Links to an external site.
- Social Work Masters Program (MSW) Library Guide.Links to an external site.
- Writing CenterLinks to an external site..
Assignment Instructions
Using this week’s readings, The Case of Marie, NASW resources, and scholarly literature, draft a 3–4 page paper that addresses the following:
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Describe an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
- Identify areas of ambiguity.
-
Identify NASW essential steps for ethical problem solving to apply to the case study.
- Identify possible consequences if different steps were chosen.
-
Describe personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study.
- Explain how these values and/or biases could be managed to best maintain an ethical perspective.
-
Describe data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision.
- Analyze the data collection methods to demonstrate how they support ethical decision-making.
-
Assess the strengths, needs, and challenges within the client’s family system related to the identified ethical dilemma.
- Make recommendations that might help emphasize the strengths, meet the needs, and overcome the challenges.
-
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
- Adhere to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
- Support main points, assertions, arguments, conclusions, or recommendations with relevant and credible evidence.
- Apply current APA style standards, including paper format, in-text citations, and the references list.
Note: You will also work with Marie and her family in the Week 9 assignment, transitioning from identifying potential ethical dilemmas to planning an approach to group work that will benefit all involved.
Additional Requirements
Your assignment should also meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Written communication should be scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
- APA formatting: Resources and citations should be formatted according to current APA style and formatting standards. Use Academic WriterLinks to an external site. for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing CenterLinks to an external site. for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
- Number of resources: A minimum of five scholarly sources. All literature cited should be current, with publication dates within the past five years.
- Length of paper: 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
View Rubric
Ethics and Diversity in Family PracticeCriteriaRatingsPts
Describe an ethical dilemma presented in the case study. (C1.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Assesses an ethical dilemma presented in the case study and identifies areas of ambiguity, including the possible consequences.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify an ethical dilemma presented in the case study.
/ 32 pts
Identify the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study. (C1.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Identifies the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study and explains potential consequences if different steps were taken.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Identifies the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Incompletely identifies the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify the NASW Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving relevant to the case study.
/ 32 pts
Describe personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study. (C3.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Analyzes personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study, and explains how these values and/or biases could be managed to best maintain an ethical perspective.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes personal values and/or biases that could impact the decision-making process when addressing the ethical dilemma in the case study.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies personal values that come into play in making ethical decisions.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify personal values that come into play in making ethical decisions.
/ 32 pts
Describe data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision. (C7.GP.A)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Analyzes data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes data collection methods necessary to make an ethical decision.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies general data collection methods.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify data collection methods necessary to conduct an ethical decision.
/ 32 pts
Describe strengths, needs, and challenges within the client’s family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma. (C7.GP.B)
32 to >27.2 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Assesses strengths, needs, and challenges within the client’s family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma, and makes recommendations that might help emphasize the strengths, meet the needs, and overcome the challenges.
27.2 to >22.4 pts
PROFICIENT
Describes strengths, needs, and challenges within the client’s family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma.
22.4 to >0 pts
BASIC
Identifies strengths, needs, and challenges within the client’s family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify strengths, needs, and challenges within the client’s family system relevant to the identified ethical dilemma.
/ 32 pts
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
40 to >34 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Communicates with exceptional clarity in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
34 to >28 pts
PROFICIENT
Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
28 to >0 pts
BASIC
Communicates in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not communicate in a manner that is consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.