Social Work Licensing Practice Exam 2025 - Free Social Work License Practice Questions and Study Guide

A court subpoena may require a social worker to disclose confidential client information because subpoenas are legal documents that compel individuals to provide testimony or produce evidence in a legal proceeding. In the context of social work, this could include case notes, assessments, or any documentation that contains personally identifiable information about clients.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the social work profession, but legal mandates can sometimes override the duty to maintain that confidentiality, particularly if a court determines that such information is relevant to a case. The expectation is that social workers will strive to protect client confidentiality to the greatest extent possible, but when confronted with a subpoena, compliance may be legally necessary.

Other aspects, such as financial information about the agency, public service records, or personal notes on each client may be relevant in specific contexts, but they do not directly pertain to the core responsibilities and ethical considerations unique to the disclosure of client information, making the question focus on confidentiality the most applicable and pertinent choice in this scenario.