Posted: February 28th, 2022

FLD201 Ethics and Professional Practice

FLD201 Ethics and Professional Practice
Assignment 1
Assessment 1: Open-book, short-answer assessment (20%)
Due Date: Week 4
Total Word Count: 700 words (+ or – 10%) excluding references
All students from every campus must complete this assessment online using the link provided and submit in Moodle through Turnitin
This assessment is designed to help you develop the foundational knowledge of ethics and professional practice in community services.
Preparation for Assignment 1: for this assignment you are to draw from content covered in weeks 1,2 and 3, including the readings, lecture notes/slides and/or tutorial activities.
There are two (2) Topics, Topic 1 and Topic 2. You are to choose one (1) Topic only and answer the two (2) questions provided for that Topic.
Instructions
• This is an OPEN BOOK assessment
• While you may be informed by lecture slides and readings, you are to use your own words in your answers. Copied material from slides or readings will not be accepted. Check the marking criteria below and in your Unit Guide.
• For any references/citations, you are to draw only on the required and optional readings listed for your preparation in weeks 1-3
• Important! Some concepts may appear similar to those used in other units, eg. in counselling or psychology. Remember that for this unit you are to draw out the relevance to ethics
• Remember to state which Topic you have selected at the start of your assignment
• The format is short answers to each question, for a total of 700 words (+ or – 10%) for the combined responses
• Apply double spacing to your text and 12 size font
• Link opens: 9 am Friday of Week 4
• Closes: 11.55 pm Sunday of Week 4
• Please make sure to submit a WORD file only
• You can only make one (1) attempt at submitting.
Choose from one (1) of the two Topics below
NOTE: Do not repeat the scenario or questions in your responses. Simply state the topic title and question number you are addressing.
TOPIC 1: Ethics Theory and Concepts Question 1: approx. 400-500 words
In the aftermath of tragically serious floods in a regional area, many local residents have lost their homes and belongings. The losses have hit everyone across all ages, genders and ethnicities. Cynthia, the manager of a community services centre, realises there are too many people in need and her organisation cannot possibly help everyone with the resources they have. Such resources include staff/staff time, food, temporary makeshift accommodation, and counselling.
Following consultations she has with her staff, a disaster management organisation and a local government agency, Cynthia and her staff in the community services centre decide it is best to provide full support only to two groups: elderly people and single parents with their children. They argue that these groups are a comparatively smaller minority but quite vulnerable. By taking this approach, all the organisation’s resources would be assigned to these two groups.
On the other hand, the disaster management organisation and local government agency believe it is better to start helping those who need fewer resources but who can then help themselves get back on their feet sooner. In this way, they reason, the few resources can go a longer way and a greater number of people in need would be helped. If they take this approach, the elderly and single parents with children may need to wait longer and perhaps suffer ongoing hardship until more resources can be secured.
Drawing on theoretical work examined in class and through your readings, you are to:
(a) determine what theoretical framework/s and/or concept/s the two groups of staff are guided by, and
(b) briefly outline the values they are upholding.
Question 2: approx. 200-300 words
What is the key feature of the ‘Virtue ethics’ approach, and what kinds of values does it presupposes? Illustrate your response with short examples.
TOPIC 2: Power; Respect in Community Service Work Question 1: approx. 300-400 words
Briefly outline what is meant by a power differential in community service work, and the factors that contribute to this power differential. You must outline three (3) factors or ‘types’ of power and explain them, showing clearly the ethical tensions and implications for community workers.
Question 2: approx. 300-400 words
Consult the ACWA code of ethics and the ACWA Work Practice Guidelines to consider the following short scenario. You must not copy anything from these documents, but cite the principle or guideline number and then explain your response in your own words.
A 16-year-old girl is pregnant and unsure about whether to have the baby or terminate her pregnancy. She turns to a case worker for advice, saying she is terrified at the thought of raising a child at her age and about telling her parents of her pregnancy. The case worker is sympathetic but firm, warning the girl that terminations (abortions) are dangerous to both the body and the soul. The young girl is frightened and tells the case worker she has decided to have the baby.
The case worker’s supervisor, Jane, finds out about what transpired during this consultation between the case worker and her young client. Jane reprimands the case worker and advises her to revise her ethical responsibilities.
(a) Why does Jane reprimand the case worker?
(b) What values and responsibilities in the 2 above-noted ACWA documents would you – as the supervisor – refer your case worker to? Briefly outline the ones you think are most important.
Criteria for Assignment 1 Weight: 100%
Content: addresses questions drawing on content from readings, lectures and/or tutorials as relevant 50%
Assessment skills: ability to understand questions & concepts, and to provide explanations that are coherent and concise 50%
Total /100%

Topic 1: Ethics Theory and Concepts

Question 1:
(a) The two groups of staff are guided by different ethical frameworks. Cynthia and her staff at the community services centre are guided by the ethical framework of utilitarianism, which is a consequentialist theory that focuses on the outcomes of actions. They believe that providing full support to the elderly and single parents with children will bring the greatest good to the greatest number of people. In contrast, the disaster management organisation and local government agency are guided by the ethical framework of deontology, which is a non-consequentialist theory that focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions. They believe that it is their duty to help those who need fewer resources but who can then help themselves get back on their feet sooner.

(b) The values that Cynthia and her staff are upholding include benevolence and compassion towards the elderly and single parents with children, and a commitment to fairness and justice by ensuring that the most vulnerable members of the community receive the most Helpance. The values that the disaster management organisation and local government agency are upholding include respect for individual autonomy and self-determination, and a commitment to equal treatment and impartiality in providing Helpance.

Question 2:
The key feature of the virtue ethics approach is the focus on character and moral virtues, rather than rules or consequences. Virtue ethics presupposes that there are certain virtues, such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and courage, that are essential for a good and fulfilling life. These virtues are not determined by rules or laws, but are cultivated through habituation and practice. In this approach, ethical dilemmas are resolved by considering what a virtuous person would do in a particular situation, rather than applying a set of rules or principles. For example, a virtuous person would show compassion and kindness towards a homeless person, rather than simply following a rule that says one should not harm others.

One of the values that virtue ethics presupposes is the importance of developing good character traits or virtues, which are essential for a fulfilling life. Another value is the emphasis on individual responsibility and agency, as individuals are responsible for cultivating their own virtues and living a virtuous life. Finally, virtue ethics places a strong emphasis on relationships and social bonds, as virtuous behavior is often characterized by empathy, compassion, and concern for others.

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