"Paula is a social worker in a fostercare agency. She has been working with 9-year-old Rita, her foster mother, Flo, and biological mother, Stella, for three years. Rita was removed from her mother's care three years ago because Stella was abusing heroine with her boyfriend and was neglecting Rita. Since losing Rita, Stella has been to rehab and has been clean for a year and a half. She left her boyfriend and currently lives in her own apartment. She also has had a steady job working at Stop and Shop for a year and has even been promoted to Assistant Manager. Stella has had limited supervised visits with Rita and has agreed to an open adoption with Flo. This agreement will allow Stella to have unsupervised visits with Rita once a month. All parties are satisfied with this arrangement.

Last week, during a visit to discuss the adoption with Paula, Stella admitted to using heroine the previous weekend with her ex-boyfriend. He had moved out of the state, but showed up at Stella's apartment Friday night looking for a place to crash. Stella reluctantly let him stay, and when he went to shoot up, Stella couldn't resist. Stella spent the weekend drinking and using drugs with her ex, and she missed work on Monday because she was "strung out." Stella realized her mistake Monday afternoon and "kicked out that asshole for good. I'm so pissed at myself," Stella said to Paula. "I've been clean for a year and a half, and now this happens right before the adoption goes through."

Stella said she told Paula about the situation because they have developed a strong relationship and she wants to be honest with Paula. Stella begs Paula not to tell the judge of this isolated setback and promises it won't happen again. "I've lived the last two years of my life in hopes of being able to see my daughter on a regular basis and be a part of her life again. I've gone clean for her. If I lose this opportunity, I'll have nothing left to live for."

Paula firmly believes that this has been Stella's only relapse and that Stella will not let it happen again, out of devotion to Rita. Paula believes that Stella would never put her daughter at any risk or danger by being under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the monthly visits. Paula believes that the influence of Stella's ex triggered the relapse.

However, Paula fears that Stella might return to her old ways of drug use if she loses the chance to be a part of Rita's life. Stella's rebuilt life might collapse around her. Paula knows that the NASW Code of Ethics (1999) guides her to accurately document what Stella has told her and seek supervisory advice, but she knows this will only result in Stella losing her rights to see Rita. Paula also knows that if it is learned that she did not document Stella's testimony, she could easily lose her job, which puts her family (husband and three children) in great financial difficulty. Paula wants to help Stella move forward while also assuring the safety and interests of the child. "

From: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/ethics-articles/Analysis_of_an_Ethical_Dilemma/

1. What are the ethical considerations here (revisit the NASW Code of Ethics as needed)?

2. Consider ethical obligations to the family, the parent, and the child.

3. What steps might you take to determine the past decision?

4. What decision would you make?

Please cite the text as appropriate and consider what you learned in the reading.