Unit/Module: BESC2001 Social, Legal and Ethical Frameworks
Educator: Natalie King
Assessment Name: Academic Essay
Assessment Number: 1
Term & Year: Term 3 2014
Word Count: 2016
DECLARATION
I declare that this assessment is my own work, based on my own personal research/study . I also declare that this assessment, nor parts of it, has not been previously submitted for any other unit/module or course, and that I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise plagiarised the work of another student and/or persons. I have read the ACAP Student Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Policy and understand its implications.
I also declare, if this is a practical skills assessment, that a Client/Interviewee Consent Form has been read and signed by both parties, and where applicable parental consent has been obtained.
The importance of providing clinical supervision to clinical staff within the Alcohol and Other Substance field has been well documented. The concurrent provision of line-management can present the supervisor with ethical dilemmas that could lead to questions of which is the most relevant and prevailing policy, or legal obligation to adhere to. In this essay I will discuss a possible situation that could present an internal clinical supervisor with an ethical dilemma. This discussion will include an examination of the relevant legislation and ethical codes, and also an evaluation of the possible ramifications for all parties involved. (Roch et al , 2010.)
In a fast paced and under resourced industry clinical supervision is still held as imperative to best practice. The role of a clinical supervisor in an AOD setting is varied and complex. Depending on the setting this role can be based on a variety of models, and can attempt to serve a range of functions and stakeholders. In ideal circumstances clinical supervision provides support for the direction and beliefs of the organisation, support for the clinician, and promotes the best possible outcomes for the clients involved. When clinical supervision is functioning effectively it can assist in the on-going development and education of clinicians. Supervisors can tailor education to match situations and individual levels of knowledge and experience. Supervision also provides an opportunity for the supervisor to role-model ethical decision making and practice.
Clinicians in an AOD setting will bring a range of issues that pertain to how they relate to the clients they work with and the challenges they have in assisting them to achieve their goals. A significant part of this process looks at the role that the clinician plays with their approach to the client and the factors that impact the relational process. Issues of transference and counter transference can lead the clinician-experiencing trauma vicariously. Assisting clients to examine and contextualise their past experiences can bring up past experiences for the clinicians, which in turn can lead to a desire to be both overly compassionate, or conversely can lead to compassion fatigue. (Hernandez, Fulan 2010 p 11-12).
In situations where the experiences of a client parallel those of their clinician, the risk of boundary crossing is omnipresent. The relationship with the clinical supervisor in such situations is paramount to ensure that not only does the clinician become aware of the potential risks, that a workable solution is sought.
However for this to occur the relationship between the clinician and the clinical supervisor has to be one of complete trust and confidence.
Similarly to the relationship of direct service between clinician and client a relationship of mutual trust cannot be assumed. “ If there is no trust there is no
