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Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Your Paper

1. Introduction
   • Start by introducing the concept of ethical dilemmas in human services practice. Explain how human services professionals, particularly those in leadership roles, often face conflicts between adhering to the needs of service users and the rules and regulations of organizations and systems.
   • State the purpose of the post: to identify an ethical conflict a practitioner might face in a leadership role, how ethical standards can resolve the issue, and how these standards guide decision-making.
2. Identify the Ethical Conflict
   • Example Conflict: A possible ethical dilemma could involve the decision of whether to breach confidentiality in order to report a potential risk to a vulnerable individual. For instance, as a leader in a human services agency, you may become aware that a client is at risk of harm but has explicitly asked you not to share their personal information with others.
   • Describe how this situation creates tension between respecting the client’s autonomy and ensuring their safety, as well as your responsibilities as a leader.
3. Identify the Ethical Standard
   • Use National Organization for Human Services’ Ethical Standards to pinpoint a standard that applies to the ethical conflict. For example, the standard to “respect the privacy and confidentiality of clients” may be in direct conflict with your ethical responsibility to protect clients from harm.
   • Other standards that could be applicable are:
     • The client’s right to self-determination (respecting their autonomy and choice)
     • The duty to protect (when harm or danger is imminent)
4. Explain How the Ethical Standard Guides Decision-Making
   • Balancing Ethical Standards: Using the National Organization for Human Services’ Ethical Standards, you can apply a framework for ethical decision-making. This framework might require you to consider the following:
     • What is the potential harm to the client if confidentiality is breached?
     • What is the ethical duty to protect the client from harm or danger?
     • What alternatives exist to address the conflict without violating the standard?
   • For example, you might choose to initiate a discussion with the client about the risks involved and try to gain their consent to share information, explaining your ethical duty to protect them from harm.
5. Conclusion
   • Summarize the ethical dilemma and the ethical standards that apply to it.
   • Reaffirm how the chosen ethical standard can guide you in making a responsible and well-considered decision.
   • Conclude by reflecting on how ethical decision-making and leadership roles in human services are interconnected.
6. Citations
   • Make sure to cite the Schram et al. (2020) textbook, as well as any additional resources you reference, using APA 7th edition style.

By following these steps, you will be able to produce a comprehensive discussion that clearly explains how ethical standards guide decision-making in the field of human services.