Child Neglect

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The Ethical Dilemma
A dedicated child protective worker named James encounters a profound moral quandary during his visit to the Miller family. While conducting his visit, he discerns indications of neglect within the family. However, his ethical dilemma intensifies when he finds himself torn between his obligation to safeguard the well-being of 12-year-old Sarah and her vehement desire to remain with her parents, whom she deeply cares for. James grapples with the intricate task of harmonizing Sarah's safety and autonomy, resulting in a complex and emotionally challenging decision-making process.
Facts Supporting the Issue
Child neglect, as articulated by Hamilton & Bundy-Fazioli (2013), refers to a situation where a parent or caregiver fails to meet the essential needs of a child, potentially putting the child at risk of severe harm. These fundamental needs encompass a range of aspects, including the child's emotional, environmental, physical, educational, and medical well-being.
Within the field of child welfare, social workers often describe child neglect as a matter that is "subjective" and "challenging to substantiate." Failing to intervene promptly in cases of neglect can result in adverse consequences, such as the removal of the child from their home, prolonged stays in out-of-home care, and an increased incidence of families facing the termination of parental rights due to non-compliance with prescribed case plans or agency objectives (Hamilton & Bundy-Fazioli, 2013).
Stakeholders
The stakeholders include Sarah, the child suffering from neglect; James, the social worker; Sarah's parents; James' colleagues and supervisors; and the broader community.
The Need for a Decision
James grapples with the intricate task of balancing his duty to protect Sarah's well-being, jeopardized by parental neglect, and Sarah's strong desire to stay with her parents. This ethical dilemma is compounded by the need to maintain a therapeutic relationship with Sarah, as noted by Tufford et al. (2021). This delicate balancing act is complicated by the potential loss of the therapeutic relationship or conflicts with the caregiver that may discourage reporting of suspected maltreatment, favoring an attempt to address the issue within the therapeutic setting.
The Steps in Evaluating the Ethical Decision Framework
The Steps
Step 1: Ethical Recognition. As a diligent child protective worker, James discerns signs of parental neglect during his visit to the Miller family, emphasizing the ethical complexity of the situation and its impact on the well-being of 12-year-old Sarah.
Step 2: Striking a Balance. James meticulously balances his responsibility to ensure Sarah's well-being with her strong desire to remain with her parents, respecting her autonomy.
Step 3: Ethical Code Adherence. James rigorously aligns his actions with the ethical standards of his profession, emphasizing the moral obligation to protect vulnerable children when parental care falls short.
Step 4: Legal Co...