Discussion On Ethics In Implementing Change Issues

Discussion Ethics In Implementing Changeissues That Affect The Human

Discussion: Ethics in Implementing Change Issues that affect the human and social services profession and society often involve ethical considerations. For example, access to services may be dependent on meeting criteria that favor one group over another. Should this situation raise ethical concerns? If so, where do you find guidance on how to address the ethical issue? As an interdisciplinary field, many different codes of ethics may be applied to issues related to human services.

Selecting the appropriate code depends on the nature of the issue, as well as on your position or role within human services. Along with the codes of ethics, Kitchener (1984) identified five core principles that can guide ethical decision making across disciplines. These core principles include autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity. As a human and social services professional, you should keep these core principles in mind in your everyday work. For this Discussion, you consider ethical concerns that may be associated with your Capstone Project issue. Families led by women that are homeless (Natasha House, Inc.)

Paper For Above instruction

The issue I have chosen for this discussion pertains to the ethical considerations involved in providing support and intervention to homeless women led by families, specifically through organizations like Natasha House, Inc. This organization offers physical, emotional, educational, and psychological assistance to homeless women and their children, creating a vital service within the social services sector. However, various ethical concerns emerge within this context, especially concerning equitable access to services, confidentiality, autonomy, and social justice.

One primary ethical concern is ensuring that the organization maintains fairness in distributing resources and access to services. Given limited resources, there may be situations where criteria for service eligibility unintentionally favor certain groups over others, raising questions of justice and equity. For example, prioritizing women with children might inadvertently exclude women without children who also need support, challenging the principles of justice and fairness. Navigating this ethical dilemma requires careful assessment to avoid discrimination and ensure that services are provided in a manner consistent with the core principles outlined by Kitchener (1984), such as justice and beneficence.

Confidentiality and autonomy of clients also represent critical ethical issues. Homeless women often face stigmatization, and safeguarding their privacy becomes essential in building trust and ensuring effective intervention. Ethical codes from professional organizations, like the National Organization for Human Services, emphasize respecting client autonomy and maintaining confidentiality. This ensures that clients feel empowered to make decisions about their lives and that their dignity is upheld. When implementing programs or policies, practitioners must balance respecting autonomy with the necessity to protect vulnerable populations from harm, aligning with the principle of nonmaleficence.

Social justice is a guiding principle that highlights the importance of advocating for systemic change to address root causes of homelessness among women-led families. Interventions should not only meet immediate needs but also challenge societal structures contributing to inequality, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, and discrimination. Ethical decision-making in this context involves using a justice framework to promote equity, ensuring marginalized groups gain appropriate resources and opportunities. Professionals working within this framework must be vigilant about their own biases and actively promote fairness and inclusion, following the guidelines set forth by ethical codes for social justice.

Furthermore, an ethical challenge involves balancing the responsibility to provide immediate aid with the need for long-term social change. While the primary goal is to assist homeless women and their children, practitioners also have an obligation to advocate for policy reforms and societal shifts that prevent homelessness. This aligns with the principle of beneficence, which entails acting in the best interest of clients and society. Ethical decision-making must therefore incorporate advocacy efforts, community engagement, and collaboration with policymakers to effect sustainable change.

The role of professional ethical codes is paramount in guiding action within these complex scenarios. For example, the Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) Code of Ethics emphasizes advocacy, equity, and social change, aligning with the core principles of justice and beneficence. Utilizing such codes helps practitioners navigate ethical dilemmas, ensuring decisions are grounded in professionalism and societal responsibility. These codes also provide clarity when conflicts arise between competing ethical principles, such as autonomy versus community welfare, enabling practitioners to select ethically justifiable actions.

In conclusion, working with homeless women led by families necessitates careful ethical consideration across various domains, including justice, confidentiality, autonomy, and advocacy. Employing ethical frameworks, such as those provided by Kitchener's core principles and professional codes, ensures that practitioners can make informed decisions that uphold dignity, promote fairness, and support social change. Ethical practice in this context not only benefits individual clients but also advances societal well-being by challenging systemic inequalities and fostering inclusive community support.

References

• Kitchener, K. S. (1984). Intuition, critical evaluation and ethical principles: The foundation for ethical decisions in counseling psychology. Counseling Psychologist, 12(3), 43–55.
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• National Organization for Human Services. (2020). Code of ethics. Retrieved from https://nohsonline.org/
• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics