An interesting paper from Australia in the latest edition of Ethics and Social Welfare: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/resw . Ethical decision-making has four features: accountability (a structure so that you are), consultation (looking for the people who need to be and consulting them), cultural sensitivity (systematically making sure you take different cultural values into account, I would say not only ethnicity by different professional and social class cultures) and critical reflection (questioning yourself rigorously about what you’re doing). This leads to a process in which you first define the ethical dilemma, then clearly map the legitimacy of the people involved in the decision. Should they be involved and should there be others? That’s because we often assume who should be involved rather than thinking it through. Then gathering information, looking for alternative approaches and possible actions. My view is that if you haven’t found alternatives you probably haven’t been looking hard enough. TINA (there is no alternative) is not allowed. Then critical analysis and evaluation.
McAuliffe, D. and Chenoweth, L. (2008) Leave no stone unturned: the inclusive model of ethical decision-making. Ethics and Social Welfare 2(1): 38-49.

Pics of memorial in St Nick’s churchyard, Sutton

Seat Memorial