Continuing through some of the hot
spots in the NASW Code of Ethics, here's section
1.16 which begins like this:
Termination of Services
(a) Social workers should terminate services to clients, and
professional relationships with them, when such services and
relationships are no longer required or no longer serve the
clients' needs or interests.
It goes on from there for a stretch (a through f). It's not
uncommon to see questions about how and when to terminate with
clients on the social work licensing exam. There's an Eye on
Ethics column on this topic alone. The gist: avoid
abandoning clients. Anticipate endings and prepare for them. Refer,
refer, refer.
You've probably had to do this some time in real life--interns
quickly get experience with termination. Take another look at the
code section. Soon, you'll be able to terminate with your exam
prep. Good luck!
For practice questions about termination and other topics,
sign up with SWTP!
