Challenges of Being an Advocate and Neutral Facilitator

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Challenges of Being an Advocate and Neutral Facilitator David Stein Sr. University of Phoenix BSHS 442 June 24, 2013 Steven Zitar Challenges of Being an Advocate and Neutral Facilitator When referring to advocacy or mediation, it is important for people to understand what each of these are and what the differences are between them. Advocating is speaking on behalf of another person when that person cannot speak for him or herself. Mediation is working with two parties to come to an agreeable solution. Advocacy may be done in court settings for a child in the welfare system, and mediation may be done in court settings between a husband and wife going through a divorce. The following information explores the ethical, moral, and legal challenges of possible or potential dual relationships of an advocate or mediator. Dual Relationships Dual relationships are complex and risky, especially for the human service or social worker. According to Dewane (2010), These relationships can include nonsexual and legitimate interactions, many of which are unplanned and inadvertent, yet still have ethical ramifications (para. 2). Dual Relationship Challenges A dual relationship is a clash of attention and crosses the boundaries described in many of the advocacy and mediation code of ethics. Advocates and mediators need to respect the client's veracity and the advocates and mediators need to protect the well-being of the clients with whom they supply services. Advocates and mediators are very important to the human service business because clients are often inexperienced concerning legal matters that pertain to the legal rights and regulations of the individuals in the United States. A mediator does not make the determination and does not control the parties into agreeing to anything. Normally the mediator uses analytical strategies to deal with disagreements

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