Informed Consent as an Ethical Instrument in Social Work Practice: Case Study

This case study is part of an extensive research that addresses the problematic of ethical instruments used in social work practice. From the topic addressed by the research referred to in this article, we chose a representative case study on the instrumental transposition of respect for the individual's autonomy, in those practices that can be considered forms of informed consent. The article aims to address specific issues of ethics in the practice of welfare services, by reference to informed consent as a tool for the construction of autonomy. The context of addressing such issues is given by the need for respect for and development of social work beneficiaries' autonomy, through specific interventions of specialized organizations.