Running head: CHALLENGES OF BEING AN ADVOCATE AND NEUTRAL

Challenges of Being an Advocate and Neutral Facilitator Lori Mews BSHS/442 July 23, 2012 Linda Wynn

Challenges of Being an Advocate and Neutral Facilitator This paper will explain the ethical, moral, and legal challenges of advocates and mediators, which can be a possible risk to dual relationships as it, affects advocates and mediators. I will also present a personal philosophy and approach to advocating and mediating for mothers and their children involved in Child Protection System. Challenges of Dual Relationships Mediation is strictly neutral; a mediator conducting mediation cannot have any type of dual relationship with the parties in a dispute. Boundary problems happen when social workers encounter possible conflicts of interest when they become involved in a multiple or dual relationship with a client he or she is advocating or mediating for. Dual or multiple relationships take place when professionals connect with clients or coworkers in more than one relationship (Ethics Corner: Ethical Considerations with Dual Relationship, 2012). A social worker entering into a dual relationship occurs when he or she takes on a second position with a client, such as an employer, associate, family member, educator, or sex partner. A mediator should never give or accept a gift, money loan or other items of value that raises a question regarding the mediators genuine or apparent impartiality (Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators). Another example of a dual relationship is a conflict of interest, which crosses the ethical boundary issues written in the code of ethics for advocacy and mediation. When working with clients advocates and mediators need to respect and protect the wellbeing of the client. Advocates and mediators need to act in accordance with their powerful position; both have to examine his or her needs and values so they avoid exploiting the clients trust.

Personal Perspective I believe that advocates and mediators are important to the human service field; there are clients not educated about the laws or their rights. Human service workers advocate for families who need services, such as physical and mental health services, housing or financial assistance, drugs or alcohol treatment, and education on parenting skills. They also help families advocate for themselves, they teach them how to negotiate so they can obtain the help they need. Human service workers can empower clients to become interdependent members of society, they focus on family development, and communication skills to obtain work. Personal Philosophy and Approach Many women involved in child protection system have experienced domestic abuse. An advocate can provide the mother with guidance in building her strengths and educating her on parenting skills. The advocate also can help the mother find the resources she will need to provide financial and medical assistance to her children. An advocate can be a voice for the child or children in court when it comes to custody of the child. I have worked with many mothers who have gone down the wrong path, but with a little guidance they are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their children. It is not easy for any parent to raise children alone, but with the help from their advocates, mothers can provide the love and care it takes to raise their children. Conclusion Advocacy and mediation for clients is an important role in the human service field. For a person to be successful as an advocate or mediator, he or she needs to be open-minded, knowledgeable, and strong. When being an advocate one will have to remember they are standing up for an issue that is passionate to them meanwhile being a mediator, he or she will be

assisting people without being involved with the issue. When advocating or mediating he or she needs to offer innovative and inclusive approaches to help their clients resolve conflicts and attain a positive outcome for their clients.

References Ethics Corner: Ethical Considerations with Dual Relationship. (2012). National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from http://naswil.org/news/networker/featured/ethics-cornerethical-considerations-with-dual-relationship-1-of-2-/ Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators. (September, 2005). Iowa Association of Mediators. Retrieved from http://www.acrnet.org/uploadedFiles/Practitioner/ModelStandardsofConductforMediators final05(1)(1).pdf