Fall 2026 SOWK 430 Week 10 - Introduction To Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving

A presentation at Heritage University in October 2026 by Jacob Campbell and is tagged with Heritage University, BASW Program, SOWK 430

Gradient blue-to-magenta title text, 'Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving,' fills the center of a plain white slide, with black 'SOWK 430 Week 10' beneath and 'Jacob Campbell, LICSW at Heritage University' at the bottom.

A white slide titled 'Week 10 Plan' lists an agenda in black sans-serif text with asterisk bullets: 'Course content discussion (midcourse feedback and the A-03 exam),' 'Introduction to the Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving,' and 'Practice applying the steps with case studies in the forums.' On the right, a bold 'Learning Objective' reads 'Begin to utilize the Essential Steps method for addressing ethical issues.'

A presentation slide on a white background titled 'Midcourse Feedback: 11 out of 40,' split into two columns. The left column, headed 'Working,' lists four bullets: lecture videos and weekly communication, forums and assignments that make you think, videos and in-person meetups, and organization and timing. The right column, headed 'Not Working,' lists three bullets: too much on each weekly unit, readings can be hard to follow, and not sure what an assignment is asking.

A presentation slide with a white background and black sans-serif text titled 'Quiz 1 of 2.' Below the title, the question reads 'The exam is due before 8 AM on Monday, 11/2, which is true?' followed by four bulleted options: 'It is on the NASW Code of Ethics.', 'It is open book.', 'It is done individually.', and 'All of the Above.'

A white presentation slide titled 'Quiz 1 of 2' with the subtitle 'The Exam is Due Before 8 AM Monday 11/2, Which is True.' Four black bullet options sit left-aligned below: 'It is on the NASW Code of Ethics,' 'It is open book,' 'It is done individually,' and the bolded correct answer 'All of the Above.'

A white presentation slide titled 'Ethical Problem-Solving,' with the subtitle 'Essential Steps,' lists six numbered-by-bullet steps in black sans-serif text: DETERMINE whether there is an ethical issue or/and dilemma; IDENTIFY the key values and principles involved; RANK the values or ethical principles which, in your professional judgment, are most relevant to the issue or dilemma; DEVELOP an action plan consistent with the ethical priorities central to the dilemma; IMPLEMENT your plan, utilizing the most appropriate practice skills and competencies; and REFLECT on the outcome of this ethical decision-making process. A small citation at the bottom right reads '(Reamer & Conrad, 1995 as cited in National Association of Social Workers - Massachusetts Chapter, n.d.)'.

A flowchart slide on a white background titled 'DETERMINE whether there is an ethical issue or/and dilemma.' A thick black arrow labeled 'Potential ethical dilemma' points down to a green 'Yes' box (arrow to 'Go to Next Step') and a red 'No' box (arrow to 'Stop'). Beside the flowchart, the question 'Is there a conflict of values, or rights, or professional responsibilities?' appears with the example '(For example, there may be an issue of self-determination of an adolescent versus the well-being of the family.)'

A black magnifying glass with a gradient-colored 'What Specific Standards' inside its lens sits over a white slide with a yellow box reading 'What meanings and limitations are typically attached to these competing values?' Above, the pink-to-red heading 'IDENTIFY: the key values and principles involved' appears, and a small note below reads '(For example, rarely is confidential information held in absolute secrecy; however, typically decisions about access by third parties to sensitive content should be contracted with clients.)'

A white presentation slide with a large magenta-to-coral 'RANK' heading above the text 'the values or ethical principles which - in your professional judgment - are most relevant to the issue or dilemma.' A magenta box with a numbered-list icon (1, 2, 3) asks 'What reasons can you provide for prioritizing one competing value/principle over another?' A small note below gives an example about a client's right to choose a beneficial course of action that could cause harm to others. A black horizontal band crosses the slide behind the box.

A presentation slide titled 'DEVELOP: an action plan that is consistent with the ethical priorities that have been determined as central to the dilemma.' On the left, the question reads 'Have you conferred with clients and colleagues, as appropriate, about the potential risks and consequences of alternative courses of action? Can you support or justify your action plan with the values/principles on which the plan is based?' Below, a smaller note gives an example about a battered wife seeking secret shelter. On the right, three arrow-tipped circles labeled Step 1 (black), Step 2 (blue), and Step 3 (green) run left to right on a white background.

A black hammer is angled down toward a small black nail on a yellow block, against a white background. Slide text reads: 'IMPLEMENT your plan, utilizing the most appropriate practice skills and competencies. How will you make use of core social work skills such as sensitive communication, skillful negotiation, and cultural competence?'

A slide titled 'REFLECT on the outcome of this ethical decision-making process' asks 'How would you evaluate the consequences of this process for those involved: Client(s), professional(s), and agency(ies)?' A small note below reads '(Increasingly, professionals have begun to seek support, further professional training, and consultation through the development of Ethics review Committees or Ethics Consultation processes.)' On the right, a cartoon emoji of a figure with closed eyes sits cross-legged in an orange tank top, meditating against a white background.

A white presentation slide titled 'Quiz 2 of 2: In the 'identify' step, you should…' with four bulleted answer choices in black sans-serif text: 'Determine if an ethical dilemma exists,' 'Pick specific standards that apply to the scenario,' 'Develop a plan,' and 'All of the above.'

A white presentation slide titled 'Quiz 2 of 2,' with the subtitle 'In the 'identify' step, you should…' The slide shows four bullet options: 'Determine if an ethical dilemma exists,' '**Pick specific standards that apply to the scenario**' (bolded), 'Develop a plan,' and 'All of the above.'

A presentation slide titled 'Forums and Participation, Week 10' with a black-on-white bulleted list of three items: 'Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving,' 'Case Studies: Terminating Services, Confidentiality and Protecting Third Parties, and End of Life Issues,' and 'Discussion Regarding Singer's (2013) 78th episode of The Social Work Podcast - 'Social Work Ethics: Interview with Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD'.' The slide is plain, with no images or graphics.

A white presentation slide titled 'Reference' lists two citations in black sans-serif text. The first is National Association of Social Workers - Massachusetts Chapter (n.d.), *Essential steps for ethical problem-solving*, https://www.naswma.org/page/100/Essential-Steps-for-Ethical-Problem-Solving.htm. The second is Reamer, F., Conrad, A. P., (1995) *Professional choices: Ethics at work* [Video]. NASW Press, https://www.naswpress.org/product/53643/professional-choices.

Dr. Jacob Campbell

17 slides

Description

We start moving away from our focus on the standards in week ten. This week is a primer on what you will be diving into over the next several weeks. Students will listen to a Social Work Podcast episode and begin learning the steps of ethical problem-solving. There are three case studies that students can practice implementing these steps. Students will also complete the code of ethics exam. During the lecture video the following is the agenda:

Course content discussion (midcourse feedback and the A-03 exam)
Introduction to the Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving
Practice applying the steps with case studies in the forums

Week 10 Objectives

Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Code of Ethics through earning a satisfactory score on the code exam.
Begin to utilize the Essential Steps method for addressing ethical issues.
Utilize case studies to demonstrate critical thinking in complex circumstances.

Fall 2026 SOWK 430 Week 10 - Introduction To Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving

Dr. Jacob Campbell

Description

Video