Discussion Post: Ethics and the Law
When working with clients, it is important to maintain professional boundaries to safeguard both you and your clients. Legislation such as HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics are specific in how you as a social worker should protect client information and safeguard confidentiality. Responding ethically in a professional situation may be clear in most situations, but not necessarily in all situations. Even though you have established laws and code of ethics to guide your decision-making process, you may still face ethical conflicts.
For this Discussion, review the media of the Bradley case and consider how the case relates to social work professional ethics.
Post (2 to 3 pages) the strategy you would use to address the Teen First director's request if you were the social worker in the Bradley case. Then, describe a hypothetical situation in which an organization's decision conflicts with your personal/professional ethics but remains within the law. Explain how you would respond to this situation, and why.
The response should include a reference list. Using one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.
Reference
• Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.
o Chapter 12, "Addressing Ethics in Leadership" (pp. 308- 335)
• Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications via the Copyright Clearance Center.
o Chapter 16, "Leadership Ethics" (pp. 423-449)
• Stephenson, M. O., Jr. (2011). Considering the relationships among social conflict, social imaginaries, resilience, and community-based organization leadership. Ecology and Society, 16(1).
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.