Deontological Ethical Theory
The development of social policies within the United Kingdom is extremely complex. Often involving conflicting factors. Each government must consider human rights and the individual entitlement of members, while also respecting the political and social moral values of the state.
Human rights are basic rights and freedoms that every human is entitled to regardless of who they are, where they were born or how they chose to live their life. In the United Kingdom, these rights and freedoms are protected by the Human Right Act 1998 (Equality and human rights commission, 2010). The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the European convention on human rights(ECHR). The ECHR treaty, originally proposed by the United Kingdom, consists of several …show more content…
For example, the privatisation of foster care in the United Kingdom, which is becoming increasingly popular (Steen and Smith, 2012) can be argued as a deontological approach from the government's point of view. The deontological ethics theory focuses on the morality of the action and not the consequences of that action (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2015). Caring for vulnerable members in society is a duty, privatisation meets the increasing demands of re-homing children, therefore the English government is fulfilling its duty. Any profiteering by a company is acceptable as the intention was good (Study Moose, 2016). However, charities and organisations such as community care argue, allowing private companies to approve and review foster carers can lead to immoral practice, putting profit before the child's welfare. David Hill, director of children's services is calling for a review of current policies (McNicoll, 2016). A utilitarian approach to fostering should be considered. This theory views the morally right action as the one which produces the most good (Center for Philosophy for Children, n.d.). Scotland takes this approach as it allows private agencies to provide care, but does not allow those who make a profit to approve, review or terminate foster carers, putting the interest of the child and carer first (The Scottish Government,
Human rights are basic rights and freedoms that every human is entitled to regardless of who they are, where they were born or how they chose to live their life. In the United Kingdom, these rights and freedoms are protected by the Human Right Act 1998 (Equality and human rights commission, 2010). The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the European convention on human rights(ECHR). The ECHR treaty, originally proposed by the United Kingdom, consists of several …show more content…
For example, the privatisation of foster care in the United Kingdom, which is becoming increasingly popular (Steen and Smith, 2012) can be argued as a deontological approach from the government's point of view. The deontological ethics theory focuses on the morality of the action and not the consequences of that action (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2015). Caring for vulnerable members in society is a duty, privatisation meets the increasing demands of re-homing children, therefore the English government is fulfilling its duty. Any profiteering by a company is acceptable as the intention was good (Study Moose, 2016). However, charities and organisations such as community care argue, allowing private companies to approve and review foster carers can lead to immoral practice, putting profit before the child's welfare. David Hill, director of children's services is calling for a review of current policies (McNicoll, 2016). A utilitarian approach to fostering should be considered. This theory views the morally right action as the one which produces the most good (Center for Philosophy for Children, n.d.). Scotland takes this approach as it allows private agencies to provide care, but does not allow those who make a profit to approve, review or terminate foster carers, putting the interest of the child and carer first (The Scottish Government,