LMSW Social Work Ethics and Values Questions and Answers Flashcards

An LMSW is treating a child for anxiety when the child discloses that a neighbor, not a family member, physically abuses them. The social worker is required to:

Answer: Report the suspected abuse to child protective services regardless of who the alleged perpetrator is

Mandatory reporting laws require reports of suspected child abuse regardless of the alleged perpetrator's relationship to the child.

Which NASW Code of Ethics standard addresses the social worker's responsibility to pursue social and political action to achieve social justice?

Answer: Social and Political Action

Standard 6.04 Social and Political Action obligates social workers to advocate for policies and legislation that promote social justice.

A social worker learns that their agency's policy requires denying services to undocumented immigrants, which the worker believes is unjust. The most appropriate first step is to:

Answer: Work through internal channels to challenge the policy while complying with it unless it violates the law

Social workers should first pursue change through legitimate internal channels while maintaining professional obligations, escalating externally if needed.

A social worker accepts a small gift (a homemade card and cookies) from a client at the end of a successful treatment. According to ethical guidelines, this is:

Answer: Generally acceptable if the gift is of nominal value and refusal would be culturally insensitive or harmful to the relationship

The NASW Code acknowledges that small, culturally meaningful tokens of appreciation may be acceptable when refusal would be clinically harmful, provided the gift has nominal value.

The ethical principle of 'least restrictive alternative' is most relevant in which practice scenario?

Answer: Selecting the least intrusive intervention that still meets the client's needs

The least restrictive alternative principle requires social workers to choose interventions that minimally limit client freedom while achieving treatment goals.

A licensed social worker is approached to provide an expert legal opinion in a custody case involving a former client. The social worker should:

Answer: Decline because the prior therapeutic relationship creates a conflict of interest that could harm both the former client and the integrity of testimony

Serving as an expert witness about a former therapy client creates a harmful dual relationship and compromises both the therapeutic relationship and forensic neutrality.

When a social worker suspects impairment in a colleague due to substance use that may be affecting client care, the worker should FIRST:

Answer: Talk with the colleague directly and encourage them to seek help, then escalate if the problem continues

The NASW Code of Ethics recommends first speaking with the colleague when feasible, then escalating through supervisory or regulatory channels if the concern is not resolved.