Assingments % - Ethical Competencies in Human Services: Navigating Ethical Conflicts in Leadership

ETHICAL COMPETENCIES IN HUMAN SERVICES
Advanced human services professional practitioners are often faced with ethical dilemmas as they balance service users’ needs with the rules and regulations of organizations and systems. To help maintain this delicate balance and guide practice decisions, practitioners must follow codes of ethical conduct.
In this Discussion, you consider how to use ethical standards to resolve common ethical conflicts that arise in human services practice.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
TO PREPARE
Review your Course Announcements for possible information related to this week’s Discussion and Assignment.
Review the Learning Resources on ethical issues and standards.
Bring to mind one ethical issue that you might encounter as an advanced human services professional practitioner in a leadership position.
Identify at least one ethical standard that applies to the conflict, and consider how you would use it to resolve the conflict.
BY DAY 4
Post one ethical conflict you might encounter as an advanced human services professional practitioner in a leadership position. Then, describe at least one ethical standard that would apply to the conflict, and explain how the standard would guide your decision making to resolve the conflict.
Schram, B., Mandell, B.R., Dann, P.L., & Peterson, L. (2020). An introduction to human services: Policy and practice (9th ed.). Pearson.
Chapter 5, “Values and Ethical Dilemmas” (pp. 101–125)
Chapter 13, “Understanding Legal Issues” (pp. 323–348)
National Organization for Human Services. (2015).Ethical standards for human services professionalsLinks to an external site.. https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionalsLinks to an external site.
Sparkman-Key, N., Meade, N., & Borden, N. (2019). Advancing the field of human services: LGBT competenciesLinks to an external site.. Journal of Human Services, 39(1), 73–84. https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1058&context=chs_

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Structuring and Writing Your Paper on Ethical Competencies in Human Services

When addressing ethical issues in human services, it’s important to approach the topic with both theoretical understanding and practical solutions. Here’s how to structure your paper and ensure your response is comprehensive and well-organized:

1. Introduction:

Introduce the context: Start by explaining the role of advanced human services professionals. Mention that these practitioners often face ethical dilemmas due to the balance they must maintain between service users’ needs and the organizational or system rules they must follow.
State the importance of ethics: Discuss how ethical codes of conduct help guide practitioners in making decisions in complex situations. Emphasize the role of ethical competencies in maintaining professional integrity and quality care.
Thesis statement: Introduce the focus of your discussion, which will explore a specific ethical conflict and how it can be resolved using ethical standards.

Example: In the field of human services, professionals in leadership positions must often navigate complex ethical dilemmas. By applying ethical standards, practitioners can ensure their decisions align with both the needs of service users and organizational regulations. This paper will explore a common ethical conflict in human services practice and discuss how ethical standards can guide decision-making.

2. Identify an Ethical Conflict:

Describe a real-world ethical issue: Think about a scenario where an advanced human services practitioner might face an ethical dilemma. For example, this could involve a conflict between a service user’s autonomy and a safety concern or a decision regarding confidentiality in a sensitive situation.
Provide background information: Briefly describe the circumstances of the ethical conflict. What are the key issues at play, and why is the decision difficult?

Example: An ethical dilemma could arise when a human services leader faces a situation where a service user is refusing to disclose critical health information, which could affect their care plan. The professional is faced with the challenge of respecting the service user’s autonomy while ensuring that the individual’s safety is prioritized.

3. Apply Ethical Standards to the Conflict:

Identify a relevant ethical standard: Review ethical guidelines from your learning resources, such as the National Organization for Human Services’ ethical standards, and identify one or more that apply to the conflict you described.
Explain the standard and its relevance: Briefly define the chosen standard and discuss why it is relevant to the ethical dilemma.
Discuss how the standard guides decision-making: Describe how you would use this ethical standard to navigate the dilemma. Be clear about how it helps you make a decision that balances ethical considerations.

Example: One ethical standard that applies in this situation is the principle of “respect for the dignity and rights of individuals.” According to the National Organization for Human Services, professionals are required to respect a client’s autonomy while also ensuring their safety and well-being. In this case, the practitioner would respect the service user’s right to confidentiality while also considering the importance of informed consent in maintaining the user’s health and safety. The decision-making process would involve finding a balance between respecting the client’s wishes and ensuring necessary action is taken to safeguard their health.

4. Consider Resolution Strategies:

Offer a potential solution: Based on the ethical standard you’ve discussed, propose a way to resolve the ethical dilemma. This could involve actions like having an open discussion with the service user about the importance of sharing information for safety, or finding a compromise that respects both the individual’s autonomy and the organization’s guidelines.
Justify your resolution: Explain how this resolution aligns with ethical standards and how it addresses the ethical conflict in a way that promotes both professional integrity and effective service.

Example: A potential solution would be to have a collaborative conversation with the service user, explaining the importance of sharing health information for their own safety. The practitioner could offer assurances regarding confidentiality and explain how certain information may be necessary to ensure proper care. This resolution respects the service user’s dignity while ensuring their safety.

5. Conclusion:

Summarize the ethical issue and solution: Recap the ethical dilemma you described and the ethical standard you applied.
Highlight the role of ethics in human services: Reinforce the importance of adhering to ethical standards in resolving conflicts and maintaining professionalism in leadership roles.
Closing thought: Conclude by suggesting that ethical competencies are critical in human services practice, particularly for leaders making difficult decisions.

Example: Ethical dilemmas in human services practice are common and often require careful consideration of both client rights and safety. By applying ethical standards like respect for autonomy and the dignity of individuals, practitioners can navigate these conflicts with integrity and professionalism. Ethical competencies ensure that leaders in human services make decisions that are just, fair, and respectful of the needs of all individuals involved.

6. Final Checks:

Proofread and revise: Ensure your paper is clear, free from errors, and logically organized. Check that you’ve adhered to the ethical standards you’ve discussed.
Review the guidelines: Make sure your response addresses all parts of the assignment and adheres to any specific instructions provided in the course materials.