Work-Based Practice, Including Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Work-Based Practice, Including Ethics - Essay Example The effect of physical harm and abusive language was traumatic and resulted in emotional distress for the disabled patients. Although the accused were given sentences in jail for around six months time, however the question arises how ethical values conflicted in this scenario and also how fundamental theoretical principles of ethical decision making are applicable here. There are four fundamental ethical principles that cover the social care practice. These values include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice (Gostin, 1991, p. 191). Within these doctrines come other principles such as respect, non-discrimination, well-being, consent and confidentiality (BASW, 2012). Being autonomous include showing respect for other individuals’ independence and also the decisions made by them (Tauber, 2005). In situations, where a certain individual is not capable of making sound decisions or exhibit autonomy, necessary measures are required to be taken to curtail any chances of harm to the clients. On the other hand, beneficence and non-maleficence are complementary values that are applicable together in certain situations (Tauber, 2005). Beneficence includes measures that ensure wellbeing of others and non-maleficence includes not taking any decisions or steps that can cause harm to others especially clients (Robison and Resser, 2002). There can be instances in which these values may conflict. In the given scenario, it was the responsibility of the care home workers to ensure that respect of the patients who were a vulnerable population already remains well-protected and no measures should be taken that can cause harm to them physically or mentally. In the given scenario, discrimination was practiced often and disregard for such patients was given as the reason by the accused staff. More than treatment itself, the reasons behind such behaviour were based on prejudice which is against the