Caseworkers should be prepared to address a number of ethical dilemmas that may occur when working with children, youth, and families. The following resources can help them assess the context in which moral and ethical issues may arise and how to address those issues effectively.
Ethics Education and Resources
National Association for Social Workers
Offers topic-specific resources in order to inform child welfare casework practice.
Exploring the Complexities of Child Neglect: Ethical Issues of Child Welfare Practice (PDF - 309 KB)
Hamilton & Bundy-Fazioli (2013)
Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 10(2)
Discusses four main areas that child welfare workers consider while assessing neglect.
Eye on Ethics
Reamer (2013)
Social Work Today
Discusses the benefit of reflective casework practice in child welfare, as defined by self-analysis in decision making.
Supervisors Behaving Badly: Witnessing Ethical Dilemmas and What To Do About It (PDF - 241 KB)
Cimino, Rorke, & Adams (2013)
Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, 10(2)
Discusses six situations involving supervisor misconduct that child welfare professionals may face. This resource derives these situations from structured interviews with workers.
Web 2.0 in Social Work Macro Practice: Ethical Considerations and Questions (PDF - 357 KB)
Hill & Ferguson (2014)
Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 11(1)
Provides an overview of the strengths and limitations of the use of new technologies in macro practice settings and a discussion of ethical considerations.