Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Practice Exam

In the context of social work, the situation involves ethical considerations around accepting gifts or incentives for referrals. Accepting season football tickets as a gesture of appreciation could be seen as problematic because it raises questions about professional boundaries and the nature of the referral relationship. Social workers need to adhere to ethical standards that discourage any form of financial or considerable non-monetary incentives for referrals, as this can compromise the integrity of the profession and the best interests of clients.

Upon assessment, a social worker should recognize that accepting such gifts could create potential conflicts of interest. This is often addressed in the ethical guidelines provided by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which emphasize the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring that decisions related to client referrals are based purely on the clients' needs rather than any outside influences, including personal gain or appreciation gestures.

Therefore, the recommended approach in this scenario is to decline the offer based on ethical standards. This helps to maintain professionalism, safeguard the well-being of clients, and uphold the trust inherent in the social work-client relationship. Social workers are tasked with navigating complex ethical dilemmas, and by choosing to refrain from accepting gifts, they reinforce their commitment to ethical practice and integrity within their profession.