What steps should social workers take when students provide services to clients?

When students provide services to clients, it is essential for social workers to inform clients about the involvement of students in their care. This transparency is a critical aspect of ethical practice in social work and aligns with the principles of informed consent. Clients have the right to know who is involved in their services, especially when it concerns their well-being and the quality of care they receive.

By informing clients about the presence of students, social workers demonstrate respect for client autonomy and promote trust in the relationship. It allows clients to understand the scope of services being offered and ensures they are aware of who will be working with them, which is part of building a collaborative and ethical practice environment.

The other options do not align with the ethical standards expected in social work. Keeping clients unaware of student involvement undermines trust and informed consent, and asking students to handle all documentation can lead to issues around accountability and professional responsibility. Additionally, requiring students to explain their personal backgrounds might breach client confidentiality and is not a standard practice in professional settings. Hence, the best step is to ensure that clients are informed about the students providing services.