Prepare Review Of Learning Resources On Boundary Setting

To Preparereview The Learning Resources On Boundary Setting And Ethic

Review the Learning Resources on boundary setting and ethics. Download the ETHIC Model of Decision Making. Review the following scenario: You are a social worker for the Grief Center, which offers services for children and adolescents who have lost a parent or sibling. Your caseload has grown 20% larger than you have experienced in the past. One evening, just as you are about to leave for the day, the director gets an emergency call about a child who needs services.

You need to be at home to care for your own children and to check in on your mother, who is recovering from surgery. This is the third time in a month that the director has asked you to stay after hours to meet with a client or finish a project. You did so the first two times, but it caused distress in your family life and a rift with your partner. You fear that staying late has now become an expectation. You do not want to jeopardize your job or let a grieving child down, but you need to maintain personal boundaries, and you are already exhausted from the day.

What do you do? What conversation might you have with the director? Navigate through the scenario, using the ETHIC Model of Decision Making as a guide. What do you do? How do you resolve the issue? Explain how you came to this conclusion, based on the model and the NASW Code of Ethics. In the given scenario, what factors might lead someone to work harder without questioning? What factors might help someone maintain boundaries?

Paper For Above instruction

The scenario presents a complex ethical dilemma faced by a social worker balancing professional responsibilities with personal boundaries. To analyze this situation comprehensively, the ETHIC Model of Decision Making provides a structured framework that guides practitioners through ethical decision-making processes. Combining this model with the NASW Code of Ethics ensures that the social worker’s response aligns with professional standards while also respecting personal boundaries amidst increasing work demands.

Understanding the Scenario

The social worker at the Grief Center experiences a significant increase in caseload, leading to more frequent after-hours requests from the director. While the immediate concern involves providing timely services to a distressed child, the social worker’s personal life is strained due to ongoing commitments outside work, including caring for family members. The repeated after-hours work has begun to infringe on personal boundaries, causing distress and potential burnout. The primary ethical tension revolves around balancing beneficence—serving clients effectively—and self-care—a core aspect of maintaining professional competence and personal well-being.

Applying the ETHIC Model

The ETHIC Model of Decision Making consists of six steps: Examine the problem, Think about the relevant factors, Hypothesize potential actions, Identify ethical standards and other factors, Consult with others, and Take action. Using this framework helps to systematically evaluate the ethical considerations at play.

1. Examine the problem

The core issue is whether to stay late or to assert personal boundaries. The social worker is committed to client welfare but also needs to protect personal health and family commitments. The repeated requests after hours may suggest an organizational culture that pressures employees to sacrifice personal boundaries, which could lead to burnout or ethical dilemmas concerning self-care and professional boundaries.

2. Think about the relevant factors

Factors include the NASW Code of Ethics, particularly standards related to self-determination, boundary management, and professional competence. The NASW Code emphasizes the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries to protect clients and ensure effective service delivery (NASW, 2021). Personal factors include the social worker’s exhaustion, family responsibilities, and fear of jeopardizing employment—elements that may influence decision-making unconsciously.

3. Hypothesize potential actions

Possible responses include:

• Agreeing to stay late again, risking personal fatigue and boundary erosion.
• Politely declining to stay late, explaining personal commitments.
• Having a candid conversation with the director to negotiate boundaries and workload expectations.
• Seeking organizational support or policy clarification regarding after-hours work.

4. Identify ethical standards and other factors

The primary ethical considerations involve self-care (implied in the NASW Code), which is essential for maintaining professional competence (NASW, 2021). The importance of personal boundaries aligns with respecting oneself and ensuring ongoing capacity to serve clients effectively (McBee, 2014). Organizational culture and expectations influence whether the social worker feels pressured or empowered to set limits.

5. Consult with others

Seeking guidance from trusted colleagues, supervisors, or supervisors’ policies can provide perspective and support boundary-setting. Ethical consultation can clarify organizational expectations and potential consequences of different actions.

6. Take action

Based on the analysis, the most ethical course involves having an honest conversation with the director. The social worker can explain the impact of repeated after-hours work on personal life and professional effectiveness. Suggesting alternative solutions, such as adjusting caseloads or scheduling urgent cases during regular hours, aligns with promoting organizational and ethical best practices.

Conclusion: Ethical Decision and Resolution

In this scenario, utilizing the ETHIC Model directs the social worker toward an assertive yet respectful dialogue with the supervisor. The recommended action is to schedule a meeting to discuss workload and boundary issues, emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal well-being to uphold professional competence (NASW, 2021). The social worker might express appreciation for the organization's dedication to client services but highlight the risks of burnout and compromised ethics if boundaries are not maintained.

This decision aligns with the NASW Code of Ethics, which underscores self-care and integrity as foundational to competent practice (NASW, 2021). Recognizing organizational factors that compel workers to overextend is crucial, as systemic change may be necessary to support staff. Factors that help individuals maintain boundaries include personal resilience, organizational support, clear policies, and a professional commitment to ethical standards.

References

• McBee, K. (2014). Boundaries and Self-Care in Social Work. Journal of Social Work Practice, 28(3), 317-329.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2021). NASW Code of Ethics. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
• Gould, D. (2018). Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-Making in Social Work. Ethics & Social Welfare, 12(2), 131-147.
• Canda, E. R., & Furman, L. D. (2010). Spiritual dimensions in social work: Reaching out to heal. Oxford University Press.
• Reamer, F. G. (2018). Boundary issues in social work practice. Social Work, 63(2), 121-130.
• Schriver, J. M. (2012). Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Developing social work practice. Pearson Higher Ed.
• Healy, K., & Link, R. J. (2012). Data collection and ethics in social work research. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 9(2), 49-58.
• Dominguez, S., et al. (2019). Organizational Culture and Work-Life Balance in Social Services. Social Work Management Review, 1(4), 45-58.
• Hugman, R., et al. (2018). Practicing ethically: A framework for social workers. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Lavery, M. (2017). Managing Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice. Routledge.