What is a key responsibility of social workers regarding service continuity?

A key responsibility of social workers regarding service continuity is to make efforts to ensure services are not interrupted. This principle aligns with the ethical obligation of social workers to prioritize the well-being of their clients. When social workers are committed to maintaining service continuity, they actively work to provide uninterrupted access to necessary support and resources. This involves planning for potential disruptions and taking proactive measures to address any challenges that arise.

By ensuring that services remain available, social workers help clients navigate difficult situations without additional stress, fostering stability and trust in the professional relationship. This commitment reflects the broader ethical mandate of social work to advocate for and empower clients, ensuring they can consistently access the support they need to achieve their goals and enhance their well-being.

In contrast, the other options do not uphold the same responsibility towards clients. Not informing clients of potential disruptions fails to actively support them in planning for their care. Prioritizing a social worker's own availability over client needs undermines the fundamental duty to serve and protect clients' interests. Stopping services immediately if they are unavailable contradicts the goal of striving for continuity and could leave clients in vulnerable situations without support. Thus, making efforts to ensure services are not interrupted is vital for ethical social work practice.