Transcript Slide 1
Steps for Ethical Decision
Making in School Social Work
Kathy Lombardi, MSW, LICSW
Lead School Social Worker, St. Paul Public Schools
[email protected]
November 1, 2012
Introduction
The ever increasing demands of our jobs
may overshadow our ability to make
thoughtful decisions
Daily we make decisions that involve
matters of values, ethics
At times, we are expected to make these
decisions quickly
Introduction
Think about how you could utilize a set of
steps to think through a dilemma
Taking the time to think through and
document a decision will prepare you to
justify your actions
This is very important, if and when, your
decisions or actions ever come into
questions
Ethical Dilemmas
Competing laws and values
Deciding between two or more undesired
outcomes for clients and others impacted
Not always a right or wrong decision\
Require professional judgement
STEP 1: Gather Additional
Background Info and Assess the
Case Details
Identify the stakeholders
Who has a vested interest in the
outcome
Is all the information true and verifiable
Step 2: Separate Practice
Considerations from the Ethical
Aspects of the Case
Gray areas
Legal duties may differ from moral
responsibilities
For example: duty to warn
Who is the client
◦
◦
◦
◦
Student
Family
Teacher
School district
Step 3: Explicitly Identify the
Value Tensions
Right to privacy competes with protecting
third parties
Does a client have the right to engage in
self destructive behaviors
School district policy versus the rights of
the client
HIPPA vs. FERPA
Step 4: Consult Relevant Codes of
Ethics, Supervisors & Colleagues
NASW
◦ Standards for School Social Work Servcies:
http://www.naswdc.org/practice/standards/N
ASW_SSWS.pdf
◦ Code of Eithics
http://www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/default.asp
Consult with other SSWs
Step 5: Identify Alternative
Intervention Strategies & Targets for
Interventions
Consider all possible courses of action
and the implications of each
You may choose to act on one of these
courses
You may need to take a “wait and see”
approach for a time period first
Step 6: Weigh the Costs & Benefits
to Various Stakeholders
For each alternative you identified in step
5, discuss the impact on those involved
Use a system’s perspective to identify the
interests of those who will be impacted
by your decision
Step 7: Clarify and Make Explicit
Personal Values
Make efforts to be aware of your own
values and preferences.
Are there personal experiences that
create a bias?
Are there personal relationships that
influence your decision?
May need to seek clinical supervision or
consultation
Step 8: Determine Which Priority or
Obligation to Meet Foremost & Justify
One’s Choice of Action
Decide which course of action to take
Justification for this decision is based on
legal mandates, professional judgment,
professional standards and ethical
principles
Step 9: Document the Process of
Decision Making
Identify the process
Document when and with whom you
consulted
Use professional discretion and judgment
on how much detail is needed
Discuss Scenarios
Three fictional “ethical dilemmas”
Get into small groups and go through the
decision making process
Write a sample documentation note
◦ Where will you put this note?
◦ Who has access to it?
◦ If you feel no written documentation is
needed, why?
We will gather in 20 minutes for large
group review
References
Mattison, Marian. (2006). Professional Ethical
Codes: Applications to Common Ethical
Dilemmas. In Frankin, Cynthia, Harris,
MaryBeth, & Allen-Meares, Paula, School Services
Sourcebook: A Guide for School-Based Professionals
(pp. 921-927). New York, NY: Oxford
University Press.
http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/nas
w_ssws.pdf
http://www.sswaa.org/index.asp?page=91
www.dpi.wi.gov/sspw/doc/sswprivacyofminors.doc