Navigating Ethical Grey Areas: A Qualitative Inquiry into Decision-Making Dynamics in Romanian Social Work Practice

Abstract

Social work practice operates within a complex moral landscape, where professional decisions directly influence the well-being and fundamental rights of beneficiaries. This study explores the typology of ethical dilemmas and the decision-making mechanisms employed by social workers in Romania, within a context characterized by institutional constraints, legislative ambiguity, and limited resources. Employing a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with 12 practitioners from various fields of intervention (child protection, older adults, and disability services), the research highlights the discrepancy between theoretical normative frameworks and the on-the-ground reality. Results indicate a prevalence of conflicts between confidentiality and the duty to report, tensions between autonomy and paternalism in working with vulnerable populations, as well as emerging challenges related to digital ethics. The study identifies the phenomenon of "ethical bricolage" – the ad-hoc adaptation of rules to serve the beneficiary's best interest – and underscores the necessity of transitioning from intuitive ethics to a reflective one, supported by the institutionalization of ethical supervision.