California Law and Ethics Practice Exam

When is it considered unethical for social workers to continue providing services?

1. When services are no longer needed by the client

2. When the client requests to continue

3. When the service duration exceeds five years

4. When insured clients no longer have coverage

The correct answer is: When services are no longer needed by the client

It is considered unethical for social workers to continue providing services when those services are no longer needed by the client. The ethical principle here revolves around the concept of beneficence, which requires social workers to prioritize the well-being and best interests of their clients. Continuing to provide services that are no longer beneficial can lead to dependency, waste of resources, and an erosion of the client’s autonomy. Ethical practice emphasizes not only the importance of providing appropriate and necessary support but also the significance of recognizing when a client has met their goals or no longer requires assistance. By acknowledging the changing needs of clients, social workers uphold their professional responsibility to ensure that services are relevant and impactful. While clients may request to continue services, or there could be situations where duration of services or insurance coverage comes into play, the core consideration is always about the client’s needs and the effectiveness of ongoing interventions. Thus, even if a client wishes to continue receiving services, social workers must evaluate the necessity and efficacy of those services, ensuring they act in the clients' best interests.