Unit 9 P4 P5 M3 Ethics in health and social care Megan Scully
P4: Explain how to incorporate ethical principles into the provision of support for individuals.
P5: Explain why an ethical approach may provide workers with dilemmas.
M3: Justify how an ethical approach to providing support would benefit the individuals.
There are four fundamental ethical principles. These are; the principle of respect for autonomy, the
principle of beneficence, the principle of non-maleficence and the principle of justice. Stretch and
Whitehouse (2010) stated that “Ethical principles are based on morality, which means it is important
for care workers to have a clear understanding of morality and meaning of moral decisions and how
they linked to health and social practice”. Although these ethical principles are not set policies, they
can aid healthcare professionals in forming decisions when considering moral issues that may occur
in the workplace. Other key ethical principles include empowerment, duty and safeguarding
vulnerable individuals. All ethical principles are challenged with dilemmas which may include
potential conflicts and balancing services and resources, these will all involve the consideration of
what will be more beneficial to the patient.
The principle of respect for autonomy is a principle based upon the reality that all individuals have
an obligation to respect the autonomy or self-rule of others. This involves, in the health and social
care environment, the decisions that these individuals make regarding their own lives. This is also
referred to as the principle of human dignity. It gives the pessimistic duty of not intervening with the
decisions formed by capable adults. It also gives the optimistic duty to empower service users under
professional care. A corollary principle of the principle of respect for autonomy is honesty in dealing
with others and the obligation to honour promises made.
The principle of beneficence is the obligation to generate good in all actions. Beneficence are actions
take in order to promote the well-being of others, which may include acting on the best interest of
the patient. Health and social care professionals are duty bound to always act on the best interest of
the patient. An example of beneficence could be; disallowing an individual with learning problems
living in a care home, from having a relationship with another individual. Some corporations have
austere policies against their patients forming relationships. A corollary principle of the principle of
beneficence is that positive steps must be taken in order to prevent harm, however, the adoption of
this principle frequently, positions you in direct conflict with respecting the autonomy of other
individuals.
The principle of non-maleficence is the obligation to cause no harm to others. Non-maleficence is
also causing as little pain as possible when it can’t be avoided. Harm is a consideration and a
segment of the ethical decision-making procedures, long and short-term harm, although they may
unintentional, often complement life-saving procedures. Corollary principles of the principle of non-
maleficence include; minimising the harm caused when it cannot be avoided, not escalating the risk
of harm to individuals and it is immoral to waste resources that may be used for good. A
combination of both non-maleficence and beneficence is that each action performed must be more
good than harmful.
The principle of justice is the obligation to provide other individuals with whatever they are entitled
or justifiable of. In society, it is the public’s obligation to treat all others impartially, equally and
fairly. A corollary principle of the principle of justice is to impose no further burdens. A combination
of both justice and beneficence is the obligation to work for the advantage of individuals who are
treated unfairly.
Empowerment aids individuals in gaining control of their own lives. Vulnerable individuals who
receive health and social care services may be dependent upon professionals to ensure and promote
their personal independence. It is crucial that the professional empowers the service user and does
P4: Explain how to incorporate ethical principles into the provision of support for individuals.
P5: Explain why an ethical approach may provide workers with dilemmas.
M3: Justify how an ethical approach to providing support would benefit the individuals.
There are four fundamental ethical principles. These are; the principle of respect for autonomy, the
principle of beneficence, the principle of non-maleficence and the principle of justice. Stretch and
Whitehouse (2010) stated that “Ethical principles are based on morality, which means it is important
for care workers to have a clear understanding of morality and meaning of moral decisions and how
they linked to health and social practice”. Although these ethical principles are not set policies, they
can aid healthcare professionals in forming decisions when considering moral issues that may occur
in the workplace. Other key ethical principles include empowerment, duty and safeguarding
vulnerable individuals. All ethical principles are challenged with dilemmas which may include
potential conflicts and balancing services and resources, these will all involve the consideration of
what will be more beneficial to the patient.
The principle of respect for autonomy is a principle based upon the reality that all individuals have
an obligation to respect the autonomy or self-rule of others. This involves, in the health and social
care environment, the decisions that these individuals make regarding their own lives. This is also
referred to as the principle of human dignity. It gives the pessimistic duty of not intervening with the
decisions formed by capable adults. It also gives the optimistic duty to empower service users under
professional care. A corollary principle of the principle of respect for autonomy is honesty in dealing
with others and the obligation to honour promises made.
The principle of beneficence is the obligation to generate good in all actions. Beneficence are actions
take in order to promote the well-being of others, which may include acting on the best interest of
the patient. Health and social care professionals are duty bound to always act on the best interest of
the patient. An example of beneficence could be; disallowing an individual with learning problems
living in a care home, from having a relationship with another individual. Some corporations have
austere policies against their patients forming relationships. A corollary principle of the principle of
beneficence is that positive steps must be taken in order to prevent harm, however, the adoption of
this principle frequently, positions you in direct conflict with respecting the autonomy of other
individuals.
The principle of non-maleficence is the obligation to cause no harm to others. Non-maleficence is
also causing as little pain as possible when it can’t be avoided. Harm is a consideration and a
segment of the ethical decision-making procedures, long and short-term harm, although they may
unintentional, often complement life-saving procedures. Corollary principles of the principle of non-
maleficence include; minimising the harm caused when it cannot be avoided, not escalating the risk
of harm to individuals and it is immoral to waste resources that may be used for good. A
combination of both non-maleficence and beneficence is that each action performed must be more
good than harmful.
The principle of justice is the obligation to provide other individuals with whatever they are entitled
or justifiable of. In society, it is the public’s obligation to treat all others impartially, equally and
fairly. A corollary principle of the principle of justice is to impose no further burdens. A combination
of both justice and beneficence is the obligation to work for the advantage of individuals who are
treated unfairly.
Empowerment aids individuals in gaining control of their own lives. Vulnerable individuals who
receive health and social care services may be dependent upon professionals to ensure and promote
their personal independence. It is crucial that the professional empowers the service user and does
