A 32-year-old man is referred to a social worker after his children were removed by child protective services due to allegations of neglect. He tells the social worker that he is not sure that he wants to fight to get them back. He states he doesn't think he wants to go through all the things child protective services wants him to do only to not regain custody in the end. Which response is the best thing the social worker should say to the client?

A core principle of social work is the client's right to self-determination. The NASW Code of Ethics is clear that social workers should support a client's right to self-determination, unless a client is posing a risk to self or someone else. Social workers should set aside their own values and encourage clients to make their own choices based on what they think is right for them. Although it may be appropriate at times to discuss the pros and cons of a decision, clients need to know that ultimately the decision is up to them.



Insisting the client work to regain custody does not support the client's right to self-determination.

It may or may not be true that the children would benefit from the client's efforts to regain custody. The social worker should not try to persuade the client one way or the other.

Telling the client to look at how his actions will be viewed by child protective services may put pressure on the client and may make the social worker's values about it known.

error
It is appropriate to tell the client that he has the right to choose how to respond to child protective services.

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NASW Code of Ethics: Self-Determination