Suchergebnisse

Social workers are facing complex requests from clients coping with multi-system life problems resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Such requests require broad knowledge and innovative approaches. Macro-level Preventive Social Work, a new model based on preventive lawyering and social working, focuses intervention to minimize future problems created by the pandemic.

Summary The Covid-19 pandemic (Coronavirus) has created complex challenges for recipients of social services worldwide and for the social workers entrusted with assisting them. This article presents a study of the decision-making process of Israeli social workers when coping with ethical and legal dilemmas arising during the pandemic. Method A qualitative self-administered survey was completed by 478 social workers who worked during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was used to identify major themes. Findings We identified three major themes. The first theme was concern over the potential violation of the service users' privacy and confidentiality due to the unique circumstances of the pandemic. The second theme was the danger to the social workers' health when serving clients during the pandemic. The third theme focused on difficulties in providing professional services during the pandemic. Applications We present several recommendations to help social workers cope with ethical and legal decisions in national emergencies.

AbstractCourts conceptualize and construct the phenomenon of consumer rights violations against older people in different ways. This qualitative analysis of court decisions explores the meanings that Israeli courts have attributed to the fact that the victim was an older consumer. Specific objectives include determining whether existing consumer protections for older consumers are effective, how the relevant provisions of consumer protection law are expressed in application of case law, and how courts structure the issue in their rulings. Analysis has revealed a tension between two judicial approaches: assumption of older consumers as inherently vulnerable and meriting special-class protection, versus application of general consumer protection law attending to actual plaintiffs' or defendants' characteristics. Critical reading of the judgments leads to construction and suggestion of a tiered approach to adjudicating consumer protection cases that protects the vulnerable older consumer without falling into a trap of unwarranted ageism.