The Questions

There are many questions for Julia to consider as she decides how to use the information she has just acquired. The following are questions that social workers might raise in resolving this ethical dilemma and determining what action to take. Do you believe that Julia is obligated to report Carla’s drug use, and if so, to whom should this report be made? Julia must be clear about which client she owes primary responsibility to. If her obligation is to protect the children, she might feel more compelled to report Carla’s drug use, as it may involve the children’s safety. If, on the other hand, Julia is Carla’s advocate, might she “overlook” Carla’s occasional use of marijuana, perhaps believing that the risk to the children is not great? The social worker’s beliefs about family unity and the local foster care system are also factors that will influence the decision to act. Is the risk to the children greater if the family unity is again disrupted? What are the harms/benefits to the children of being returned to foster care? Are the same foster homes still available? Could the disruption caused by foster care possibly be greater than the consequences of Carla’s recreational drug use?

These are just some of the questions raised by this ethical dilemma; you may have identified others. Julia may worry that if she confronts Carla with the information about her drug use, Carla will deny the allegation and the relationship will be irreparably damaged. If the client demands to know the source of the information, should Julia indicate that it actually came from her daughter in the course of a group counseling session? What are the consequences and risks of this disclosure for Tatiana? Should the 11-year-old be placed in this position? Imagine the anger that Tatiana might have for a social worker who uses the information she disclosed in confidence against her family.