Case Analysis 1

Running head: CASE ANALYSIS

CASE ANALYSIS #1

Eddie S. Wright

SWRK 540

US Army-Fayetteville State University

MSW Program
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Child Abuse & Neglect

All children under the age of 18 years old must be protected from child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse and neglect is the mistreatment of children that causes injury. Child abuse may occur

in different forms such as physical injury, emotional abuse or sexual abuse. Examples of physical

injuries are; burns or broken bones. An example of sexual abuse is fondling. Neglect occurs

when a parent or responsible caretaker fails to provide adequate supervision, substance, clothing,

shelter or other basic needs for a child.

Case analysis #1 clearly identifies a mother that has been abusing her child. This was

determined by the client’s own testimony. The client stated the following to the social worker, “

last week I got so angry with her that I slapped her in the face leaving a bruise”. When social

workers are confronted with an issue of this nature, The National Association of Social Workers

(NASW) Code of Ethics (1999), servers as the rule and guide for their actions. Social workers

must also adhere to the standards and guidelines set fourth by their employer.

Social Worker Values

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (1999) also outlines six

values that all social workers must exhibit and adhere to. I find two of those values to be

involved in this situation. The first is “service” according to the NASW Code of Ethics (1999); “

Social workers elevate service to others above self interest. Social workers draw on their

knowledge, values and skills to help people in need and to address social problems. Social

workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation

of significant financial return (pro bono service)”. (p. 5) I find this value relevant for two

reasons. (1) It becomes necessary to extend services to her understanding that this is temporary,

because of the relationship that the social workers has with the client. I view this situation as an
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emergency. (2) A social workers primary goal is to help people in need. The client’s last

statement to the social worker was “help me”. The second vale is “Importance of Human

relationships”. According to the NASW Code of Ethics (1999), “ Social workers understand that

relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers

engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships

among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restores, maintains and enhances the well being

of individuals, families, and social groups, organizations, and communities”. (p.5) I support this

value as I analyze this situation for the following reasons. Relationship building; not in the sense

of personal, but rather someone that a client can unveil all emotions too. I find this to be

tremendously important in this case because the client stated to the social worker, “this time I

went to far while giving her a spanking.” If the current social worker does not support the client

at this monument and provide assurance to her, she may cease up and refuse to disclose valuable

information to other social workers that she may be referred to. This is very important regarding

the unknown condition of the child.

Personal Beliefs

My personal beliefs in this case are. The relationship that the social worker has with the client

is beneficial for the first steps in determining courses of action in getting her help. It is also

important for safeguarding the child. I also think it is necessary to understand the possible culture

considerations about the client. The client’s culture may not support sharing family issues with

strangers. The current social worker is someone that she knows and can relate to. However it is

very important for the social worker to guide and ensure the client understand who is the priority

for help. The social must identify the child as the actual client and in need of the most help.
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Legal Duties

There are two legal duties pertaining to this case that I would support (1) legal requirement to

report (2) legal requirement of care. The NASW Code of Ethics (1999) states, “ a social workers

primary role responsibility is to promote the well being of clients. In general, client’s interests

are primary. However, social workers responsibility to the larger society or specific legal

obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should so be

advised. (examples include when a social worker is required by law to report that a client has

abused a child or has threatened to harm self or others)”. (p. 5) Regardless of how the client feels

about the social worker reporting this case to local authorities and child protect services, the

social worker must do so. The social worker also must abide by their legal duty of caring. Social

must provide a certain standard care to their clients, in this situation the child is of most concern.

Ethical Dilemma

The ethical dilemma that I see in this case is, the fact that the social worker and the client

have been close friends for to years. As stated in paragraph three of this report, I support the

social worker initially consulting with the client. Immediately following that engagement he

must explain to the client that she will be referred to another provider.

Dolgoff’s Ethical Principle Screen

In this situation the legal duty I would up hold is the protection of life. I see the child’s life in

possible danger. I support this based on Ethical Principle#1(protection of life). According to

(Dolgoff, Harrington 2006), ethical principle 1 is the “ protection of human life applies to all

persons, both to the life of the client and to the lives of all others. This principle takes precedence

over every other obligation, for if one right to live is violated one can not enjoy other rights”.
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Conclusion

This case contained many possible emotional barriers for the client and the social worker. In

a case of this nature, a social worker must ensure that the safety is there priority. Any social

worker involve in a case of this nature, must disregard any emotional attachments that they may

have had for a client as mentioned in this case study.

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References

Dolgoff, R., Loewenberg, F.M., & Harrington, D. (2005). Ethical decisions for social work

practice (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole

National Association of Social Workers. (1999). Code of Ethics of the National Association of

Social Workers [Brochure]. Washington, DC: NASW.