Master Social Work Ethics: Enhance Your Practice with Ethical Decision-Making

Question 1

Which of the following is **not** a fundamental principle of social work ethics as outlined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)?

Accepted Answer

Impartiality

Answer

Service

Answer

Justice

Answer

Dignity and worth of the person

Question 2

What is the ethical responsibility of a social worker who witnesses a colleague engaging in unethical behavior?

Accepted Answer

To report the behavior to their supervisor or the appropriate authorities

Answer

To confront the colleague directly and express their concerns

Answer

To remain neutral and avoid getting involved

Answer

To ignore the behavior and hope it resolves itself

Question 3

When working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, ethical guidelines dictate that social workers should:

Accepted Answer

Provide services that are culturally responsive and sensitive.

Answer

Impose their own values and beliefs on clients.

Answer

Disregard cultural differences and treat all clients the same.

Question 4

Which ethical principle emphasizes respecting clients' autonomy and self-determination?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 5

Informed consent in social work practice involves:

Accepted Answer

Clearly explaining the purpose, risks, and benefits of an intervention to clients.

Answer

Obtaining clients' unconditional agreement to every aspect of an intervention.

Answer

Excluding clients from decision-making about their care.

Answer

Preventing clients from withdrawing consent once it has been given.

Question 6

In the United Kingdom, the General Social Care Council (GSCC) Code of Practice:

Accepted Answer

Provides guidance on ethical social work practice.

Answer

Holds legal weight and can be enforced by courts.

Answer

Applies to all social workers in the United Kingdom, regardless of role.

Answer

Is primarily based on religious teachings.

Question 7

Social workers have an ethical obligation to promote social justice. Which of the following best describes how they fulfill this obligation?

Accepted Answer

Advocate for policies and practices that promote equity and reduce disparities.

Answer

Prioritize the individual needs of clients over the needs of the broader community.

Answer

Remain impartial and avoid taking a stance on controversial social issues.

Answer

Focus solely on providing direct services to clients, without engaging in advocacy or social policy work.

Question 8

When obtaining informed consent from clients with diverse cultural backgrounds, which approach is considered the most ethical and effective?

Accepted Answer

Tailoring the consent process to the client's cultural values, beliefs, and communication preferences

Answer

Using an interpreter without providing any additional support or context

Answer

Assuming that the client's family or community can provide consent on their behalf

Answer

Obtaining consent solely in written form, regardless of the client's literacy or language barriers

Question 9

Which ethical principle requires social workers to prioritize the client's well-being, even if the client opposes it?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 10

In situations where social workers encounter organizations with conflicting ethical values, which approach is most effective in fostering ethical practice?

Accepted Answer

Advocating for ethical principles while considering the organization's values

Answer

Strictly adhering to the organization's ethical guidelines

Answer

Reporting ethical violations directly to external authorities

Question 11

In social work practice, when faced with the potential for a dual relationship, which strategy is crucial for establishing and maintaining professional boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the potential for a dual relationship to all parties involved.

Answer

Avoid all personal interactions outside the professional context.

Answer

Terminate the professional relationship if a dual relationship arises.

Answer

Ignore the potential for a dual relationship and continue with the professional relationship.

Question 12

How does ethical supervision assist social workers in navigating ethical dilemmas and fostering ethical competence?

Accepted Answer

Ethical supervision offers a safe space for social workers to reflect on their practice, discuss ethical challenges, and seek guidance from experienced supervisors.

Answer

Ethical supervision ensures social workers' strict adherence to established rules and guidelines.

Answer

Ethical supervision involves reprimanding social workers for ethical violations.

Answer

Ethical supervision assigns social workers to cases that align with their personal ethical beliefs.

Question 13

How can social workers ethically balance their obligations to individual clients with their commitment to social justice advocacy?

Accepted Answer

Seek guidance from ethical principles and engage in ongoing ethical reflection to navigate tensions between individual and collective needs.

Answer

Prioritize individual client needs, disregarding social justice advocacy.

Answer

Focus exclusively on social justice advocacy, neglecting individual client responsibilities.

Answer

Redefine social justice as solely meeting the needs of individual clients.

Question 14

Examples of dual relationships in social work include:

Accepted Answer

Providing therapy to a family member or close friend.

Answer

Working with clients from different backgrounds.

Answer

Referencing clients to community resources.

Question 15

The legal framework for confidentiality in social work practice in the United Kingdom is primarily established by:

Accepted Answer

The Health and Social Care Act (2008).

Answer

The Mental Health Act (1983).

Answer

The Children's Act (1989).

Question 16

The principle of confidentiality in social work:

Accepted Answer

Requires social workers to safeguard client information from unauthorized disclosure.

Answer

Does not apply in cases involving severe harm or risk.

Answer

Permits social workers to share client information with anyone involved in care.

Question 17

The purpose of ethical decision-making models in social work is primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a structured approach for identifying and resolving ethical issues.

Answer

Eliminate the need for social workers to exercise professional judgment.

Answer

Guarantee that social workers always make the correct decisions.

Question 18

A key benefit of ethical supervision in social work is that it:

Accepted Answer

Provides support and guidance in navigating ethical challenges.

Answer

Guarantees that social workers will never face ethical dilemmas.

Answer

Eliminates the need for social workers to engage in self-reflection.

Question 19

A social worker is faced with a situation where a client discloses information about their involvement in illegal activities. Which ethical consideration should **take priority**?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality and Duty to Warn

Answer

Non-judgmentalism

Answer

Duty to Warn

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 20

Informed consent in social work practice refers to:

Accepted Answer

The client's understanding of the purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits of an intervention, and their **voluntary agreement** to participate.

Answer

The social worker's obligation to inform the client of all possible outcomes.

Question 21

Which of the following is a potential ethical concern associated with dual relationships in social work?

Accepted Answer

Exploitation of the client's vulnerability.

Answer

Increased trust and rapport.

Answer

Improved professional boundaries.

Answer

Enhanced understanding of the client's perspective.

Question 22

According to the Care Act 2014, a local authority has a duty to promote the:

Accepted Answer

Wellbeing of individuals who need **care and support**.

Answer

Protection of children from harm.

Answer

Independence of social work professionals.

Question 23

In a situation where a client lacks capacity to make informed decisions, who has the responsibility to make decisions on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

A legally appointed representative or the **court**.

Answer

The client's family members

Answer

The social worker

Answer

The client's healthcare provider

Question 24

Which of the following is a strategy for managing ethical dilemmas in social work practice?

Accepted Answer

Seeking consultation with colleagues or supervisors

Answer

Ignoring the potential consequences

Answer

Relying solely on personal values

Question 25

Ethical decision-making in social work practice involves:

Accepted Answer

Applying ethical principles, considering the impact on all parties involved, and seeking guidance when necessary.

Answer

Following a set of rigid rules without exception.