What should social workers strive for in case of interruption of services?

Social workers should strive for continuity of services in the case of interruption because it directly aligns with the ethical commitment to ensure clients receive consistent and stable support. Maintaining continuity helps to minimize the potential for disruption in a client’s care, which can be critical for their well-being, especially for those in vulnerable situations.

The goal is to provide seamless transitions, whether that means arranging for another qualified professional to take over services, informing clients about the changes, or ensuring they have access to necessary resources during the transition. Prioritizing continuity of care demonstrates a commitment to the clients’ needs and upholds the ethical standard of promoting the best interests of those served.

While feedback from clients is important for service improvement and can enhance care, the immediate priority during service interruptions is ensuring that those clients do not face gaps in their support. Avoiding communication with clients contradicts ethical standards of transparency and accountability, and transferring services automatically to a peer without proper transition planning could compromise the quality of care.