| dc.description.abstract | Professional obligation for child protection by social workers remains a complex phenomenon infused with stringent adherance to various roles and responsibilities, regulations, values, and laws, such that their observance constantly results in tension for social workers. In this work, a comprehensive reflections of social workers own ethical issues and dilemmas have been explored through the qualitative method. A sample size of seven social workers from the Stavanger Municipality were interviewed in both a focus group interview and individual interviews. The study critically explores and discusses demonstrated dilemma between social workers’ professional discretion and moral judgement, professional obliagation and the law. Essentially, findings shows that social workers concern about putting child in conflict with family, immigrant families fear of social workers, limited resources leading to inadequate supervision presents ethical issues or dilemma in the discharge of their duty. Also findings reveal that, social workers are faced with dilemma in the protection of older children and in making investigations because of conflicting obligations in adhering to the several laws. Following that, this paper also deconstructed the perspective of social workers regarding the implications of their reflection on child protection practice. Findings in relation to that indicated social workers percieved promotion of the right of the child, need for professionally getting close to immigrant families, development of competence, professionals’contentment with roles are some positive impact of their reflections on child protection practice. The study therefore gives a dynamic insight into social workers reflections on ethical issues and dilemmas, and it is empirically useful for academic discourses. | nb_NO |
