One issue that maybe encountered is involuntary group members. Corey, Williams, and Moline (1995) explained that ethically a counselor should advise clients of their rights, privileges and duties, as well as, advise them of any probable concerns they face if they choose to follow treatment. Another issue that may be encountered in group therapy is informed consent, which is extremely important when participation is mandatory. Informed consent is something that all counselors and counselor have to obtain from clients. Fallon (2006) states it is important because certain guidelines have to be followed by the counselor during a session and when a client becomes involuntary this puts the counselor in a comprising position.
Everything you do must be in their best interest and protect them from harm in every sense including but by no means restricted to, physical, emotional, financial and medical. I must report any risks I come across to a manager or supervisor; this can include poor working practices by other members of staff, equipment, other individuals, the working environment and even family members. Failure to report these would be seen as negligence on my part and could even result in prosecution. 2.1 Describe potential conflicts or dilemmas that may arise between the duty of care and an individual’s right. A potential dilemma could be the client not wanting to visit the hospital when the client has been medically advised that it is essential for them to do so, refusal of medication or any time the service user exercises their rights, to choose or refuse, that could potentially cause harm to themselves or others.
This could lead to conflict between the individual’s family / carers if staff involved other agencies such as Social Services. Dilemmas could be knowing when to get further help regarding adult protection and safeguarding issues for example if you did not refer the case to social services the individual might still continue to suffer abuse. Another dilemma would be knowing when to break confidentiality and share information. If you have any concerns about an individual or feel they are at risk you need to share them and report it, it is always better to be safe
A counsellor should be fully competent and understand the principles of counselling and its ethical framework, as it deals with some very sensitive issues. The clients progress depends on the therapist professionalism as the impact of being unprofessional could have catastrophic results. i.e. a client could commit suicide and you could be held responsible and possibly face liability. Clients may never return to counselling again if left traumatised by an unprofessional.
Something that is very important is to screen suicidal or homicidal ideations. The client and clinician as well as others safety has to be considered. If a client has either and they appear to be a safety risk a clinician has a duty to warn by contacting law enforcement. Screening for past and present mental health disorders is an important step and should be taken seriously. When contacting other providers they may be treating a client for other mental health disorders.
If changes need to be changed, the facility should oversee the change. From an ethical standpoint, a health care employee should lead by example. Employees need to learn by viewing the administrator, supervisors, and co-workers following the rules of general ethics and privacy regulations. The punishment should also be handled by the supervisors. Facilities should set the guidelines for punishment and make it known across the entire facility, but if a supervisor recognizes the violation, they should handle the punishment, and making human resources aware of a possible violation.
What action to take if you suspect abuse… Every member of staff has a professional and moral duty to report any witnessed or suspected abuse to their senior or line manager. If you witness/suspect abuse or any unsafe practices firstly ensure the safety of the individual (if in immediate danger). If you witness unsafe practices discuss with the colleague about the unsafe practice and the risks involved; show the safe way to do and explain how it minimises the risk. All abuse allegations and unsafe practices MUST be reported to your senior or line manager on duty IMMEDIATELY. Ensure any verbal reports have been put into writing and make a copy for your manager and keep a copy for yourself!
Unit 205 Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care 2.1 Explain the actions to take if there are suspicions that an individual is being abused If I suspect that a service user is being abused it very important to take it seriously and not assume that my initial thoughts are meaningless. As a worker I have a responsibility to protect the adults I work with and to be vigilant around safeguarding matters. It also important to bear in mind that the service user may not even be aware that they are being abused and the situation must be dealt with sensitively. If I feel that the service user is in immediate danger or risk of physical harm, it is important to call the emergency services straight away. At this stage a recognition
Duty of Care is the legal duty to take reasonable care so that others aren’t harmed and involves identifying risks and taking reasonable care in your response to these risks. Organisations should always ensure that they consult legal and legislative requirements when developing and maintaining their duty of care frameworks and consider working alone guidelines. 1.2 Diemmas that may arise Equipment- Clients may refuse to use hoists and stand aids as they have had bad experience in the past with using them which could affect clients hygiene, physical needs and means that staff can’t do their job to a high standard we would take note of what the clients have said and ring the manager to come up with another solution. All equipment must be in date and checked regularly before use. Training- training must be up to date and if it isn’t you should not but yourself or clients at risk of danger.
According to Pabian, Y. L., Welfel, E. R., & Beebe, R. (2007) this case law requires the psychologist to make a good faith effort to contact the identified person who the client intends to harm or notify law enforcement. While on the other hand when dealing with the duty to protect the psychologist is obligated by law to take actions to protect a threatened third party, but they also have other options. When observing the duty to warn principle one of the most difficult things thus far in some of these situations is when to draw the line between the Duty to Warn principle and confidentiality. This particular principle gives counselors the right to breach confidentiality if their client has the potential of being harmful to an identifiable individual. The duty to warn principle was established in response to the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California.