SOCW 6111: Advanced Social Work Practice I
Week 2 : Informed Consent and Confidentiality
Describe the importance of confidentiality when working with a client.
How does the principle of confidentiality impact the therapeutic alliance?
Confidentiality is vital between the client and professional because it aids in
building rapport. According to the National Association of Social Workers (2021),
Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the
course of professional service, except for compelling professional reasons.
Confidentiality is essential to the effectiveness of services rendered. Our primary
goal as social workers is to ensure the safety of clients and reassuring them that
they are in a safe place while in our presence. Clients' willingness to disclose
intimate, deeply personal details about their lives is understandably a function of
their belief that their social worker will not share this information with others
without consent. (Reamer, 2016) As social workers, we must uphold our ethical
duties to protect client confidentiality because if breached we would be violating our
client’s rights.
Then, explain your understanding of mandated reporting and how it
empowers vulnerable populations.
According to Reamer (2016), Contemporary social workers recognize that
confidentiality cannot be absolute; there are many exceptions to clients'
confidentiality rights. Widely accepted exceptions related to protection of third
parties (for example, mandatory reporting of child or elder abuse or neglect) and
clients' threats to harm themselves sometimes require disclosure of confidential
information. Mandated reporting allows professionals to report and advocate on
behalf of vulnerable populations for whom we suspect abuse or neglect. Most
victims in vulnerable populations are fearful of speaking up, however as reporters
we empower victims by allowing them a safe place to voice their abuse or
