2.1. Evaluate the impact of ethical practice on individuals and organisations

This guide will help you answer 2.1. Evaluate the impact of ethical practice on individuals and organisations.

Ethical practice in health and social care refers to behaving in ways that reflect moral principles, laws, and guidance to ensure the wellbeing of individuals. It’s about doing what’s right, both legally and morally. This impacts not only the individuals who use the service but also the staff, the organisation, and society.

Ethical practice is guided by laws and frameworks like the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the Equality Act 2010, and the Code of Conduct for healthcare and social care workers. These ensure services are delivered fairly, safely, and with respect.

In this guide, we will look at how ethical practice impacts individuals and organisations.

Impact on Individuals

Ethical practice places the needs, preferences, and rights of people at the centre of the care they receive. It ensures individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

Respecting Individual Rights

Ethical behaviour ensures individuals have control over their care and decisions. For example, respecting a person’s choice to refuse certain treatments, if they have capacity, is ethical. Services like advanced care planning empower individuals to express their wishes beforehand.

This builds trust, helping individuals feel valued. When people feel respected and listened to, their sense of self-worth improves, supporting their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Safeguarding Vulnerable People

Health and social care services often support individuals who are vulnerable, such as older people, children, or those with disabilities. Ethical policies, like safeguarding guidelines, protect these individuals from harm, neglect, or abuse.

For instance, if a care worker detects signs of abuse, they are ethically and legally bound to act. Reporting incidents or concerns ensures timely intervention and protects the person from further harm.

Maintaining Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a vital ethical principle. Respecting privacy encourages people to openly discuss their problems, knowing their information will be handled carefully.

For example:

• Health records are kept secure through password-protected systems.
• Only authorised staff can access private details.

When confidentiality is broken, individuals can lose trust in the service and may avoid seeking help in the future.

Promoting Fair Access

Ethical services are non-discriminatory. They aim to treat everyone equally and fairly without bias. This means:

• Offering accessible facilities, such as ramps or interpreters.
• Providing tailored support to meet diverse needs.

This ensures the service meets the needs of everyone, including minority groups or people with specific cultural or religious beliefs.

Emotional and Psychological Support

An ethical approach considers empathetic communication and emotional care. For instance, staff offering a listening ear to a distressed individual or recognising when someone may need professional counselling.

This compassion helps individuals cope better with challenging situations, making them feel cared for.

Impact on Organisations

Organisations also benefit significantly from implementing ethical practices. It strengthens their reputation, keeps them compliant with laws, and fosters a workplace culture of integrity.

Building Trust and Reputation

When an organisation prioritises ethical practices, it earns trust from service users, families, and wider communities. A positive reputation often results in more people choosing that service.

For example, a social care provider known for treating staff and service users with fairness and respect is likely to attract more clients and qualified employees.

Reducing Legal Risks

Unethical behaviour can lead to breaches of the law. For instance, discriminatory actions against a service user could lead to fines or lawsuits under the Equality Act 2010.

By following ethical guidelines, like anti-discrimination policies, organisations minimise risks of complaints, investigations, or penalties. This helps maintain operational stability.

Staff Morale and Retention

An ethical workplace supports and values its employees. For instance, organisations that provide fair wages, regular supervision, and whistleblowing policies create a more positive environment for workers.

Staff who feel supported and respected are more likely to stay in their jobs. High staff morale strengthens teamwork, reduces turnover, and maintains continuity of care.

Effective Use of Resources

Ethical decisions consider how to use resources efficiently without compromising care standards. For example, rather than refusing services to someone unable to pay, community support schemes can be explored.

This not only supports the individual but enables the organisation to manage costs better, ensuring services remain sustainable.

Meeting Legal and Regulatory Standards

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections assess whether services follow ethical principles. Organisations that fail to meet ethical standards may face closure or warnings.

By embedding ethics into policies, organisations ensure compliance, avoiding disruptions that can harm their operations and reputation.

Potential Issues in Maintaining Ethical Practice

While ethical practice has clear benefits, applying it consistently can be challenging.

Conflicting Priorities

Sometimes, ethical decisions can conflict with organisational goals. For instance:

• Balancing care quality with financial constraints.
• Protecting individuals’ rights while following rules to ensure public safety.

Clear policies and training can help staff make decisions aligned with ethical principles.

Balancing Confidentiality and Safeguarding

Meeting the needs of safeguarding while protecting confidentiality can be tricky. For example, disclosing personal information to prevent harm must align with laws like the Data Protection Act.

Training staff on confidentiality and safeguarding balance helps manage such situations responsibly.

Ethical Dilemmas

An ethical dilemma arises when neither choice seems morally acceptable. For instance, a care worker may face difficult questions over:

• Whether to respect a person’s refusal of treatment when it may save their life.
• Balancing the needs of one service user against someone else’s.

Exploring these dilemmas in team meetings or supervisions encourages good decision-making.

Conclusion

The impact of ethical practice is profound. For individuals, it safeguards their rights, dignity, and wellbeing. For organisations, it reinforces trust, compliance, and operational success. Delivering care with honesty, fairness, and compassion not only benefits people directly but supports healthier communities overall. By addressing challenges and encouraging ethical decision-making, health and social care workers can continue making a positive difference in people’s lives.