Which scenario is an example of a potential ethical issue in social work practice?

In the context of social work practice, each of the scenarios described presents an ethical issue, making the selection of all as potential ethical issues appropriate.

The first scenario, where a client wishes to discontinue therapy against professional advice, engages with the ethical principles of autonomy and client decision-making. While clients have the right to make choices about their treatment, social workers must navigate these decisions while ensuring that clients are fully informed of the potential consequences of their choices. This situation can present ethical dilemmas on how to respect client autonomy while also guiding them toward what the social worker believes is in their best interests.

The second scenario, in which a social worker provides family therapy to a friend's family, raises concerns about dual relationships and the potential for conflicts of interest. Ethical standards typically encourage social workers to avoid situations where personal and professional boundaries may blur, as this can undermine the objectivity needed in therapy and create ethical dilemmas regarding confidentiality and loyalty.

The third scenario, involving the upload of client notes to social media for awareness, poses serious ethical violations related to client confidentiality and privacy. Social workers have an obligation to protect their clients' information and uphold confidentiality, which is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. Sharing private client information publicly, regardless of intent, breaches ethical guidelines and