Re: ethical question

["Anne E. HOLLOWS(HSC)" <A.E.Hollows@xxxxxxxxx>]

This seems to me an interesting question and one not asked often enough within
the research community. An interesting perspective might be to consider whether
there is any linkage between the reasons for different placement episodes. It
is important to bear in mind
a) that service users may experience the vicisitudes of life to a greater
degree and may need the further placement for a number of reasons, including
the absence of kinship or community supports and
b) that a further placement request may not indicate an overall failure to
change (see Protchaska and DiClementi's work) but rather demonstrate a
responsible recognition of temporary needs. I am thinking particularly in these
examples of single parents with mental health problems, although other
circumstances could apply.
Obviously all the evidence from the literature cannot be ignored, but what may
be unethical is a set of criteria based on an uncritical view of selected 
literature.

Anne Hollows
Principal Lecturer in Social Work
School of Health and Community Studies
Sheffield Hallam University
Collgiate Crescent Campus
Sheffield S10 2BA

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