LA County Social Worker Written Exam
SW III Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026-
2027 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of a Social
Worker III?
a. Conducting basic intake assessments only
b. Providing supervision to other social workers
c. Performing complex case management and clinical
assessments
d. Managing administrative office tasks
The Social Worker III is expected to handle complex case
management, clinical assessments, and supervise staff as
needed.
2. When assessing a client for potential abuse, the social worker’s
first responsibility is to:
a. Notify law enforcement immediately
b. Ensure the immediate safety of the client
c. Conduct a full psychosocial history
d. Contact family members
Safety is always the primary concern in suspected abuse cases;
other steps follow once the client is secure.
,3. In the context of mandated reporting, which of the following is
true?
a. Only children under 12 are protected by mandated reporting
laws
b. Reporting is optional if the social worker believes the abuse is
minor
c. Social workers are legally required to report suspected abuse
of vulnerable populations
d. Reports can be delayed until the case is fully investigated
Mandated reporters must report suspected abuse immediately
to protect vulnerable individuals.
4. A client shows signs of severe depression and expresses suicidal
thoughts. The social worker should:
a. Respect client confidentiality and not disclose the information
b. Advise the client to “cheer up” and monitor
c. Conduct a suicide risk assessment and take necessary safety
measures
d. Wait for the client to seek help voluntarily
Immediate assessment and safety planning are crucial to prevent
harm.
5. In supervision sessions with a Social Worker I, a Social Worker III
should focus primarily on:
a. Completing paperwork for the supervisee
b. Enhancing clinical skills and professional development
c. Assigning simple administrative tasks
d. Monitoring office attendance
Supervision at this level emphasizes clinical guidance, ethical
decision-making, and skill development.
,6. Which intervention is most appropriate for a family experiencing
chronic homelessness?
a. Providing only temporary shelter
b. Coordinating housing, employment, and supportive services
c. Suggesting family separation for safety
d. Focusing solely on mental health therapy
Effective intervention addresses multiple factors contributing to
chronic homelessness.
7. Confidentiality may be breached without client consent in which
scenario?
a. Client refuses therapy sessions
b. Client discusses personal habits
c. There is imminent risk of harm to self or others
d. Client misses appointments frequently
Confidentiality can be broken to prevent serious harm under
ethical and legal standards.
8. When developing a case plan, which factor should be prioritized?
a. Client’s income level
b. Social worker’s workload
c. Client’s strengths, needs, and goals
d. Office policies
A strengths-based approach ensures that the plan is tailored to
client needs and abilities.
9. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating a child’s
risk of neglect?
a. Beck Depression Inventory
b. MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
, c. Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment
d. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
CANS is specifically designed to assess needs and strengths in
children and risk factors like neglect.
10. When working with a client with severe substance use
disorder, the Social Worker III should:
a. Avoid confrontation about substance use
b. Refer solely to inpatient treatment
c. Conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop a
coordinated treatment plan
d. Focus only on family counseling
A holistic treatment plan addresses the client’s substance use
along with co-occurring issues.
11. The concept of “cultural competence” in social work
primarily requires:
a. Memorizing facts about all cultures
b. Understanding and respecting the client’s cultural context in
practice
c. Avoiding clients from unfamiliar cultures
d. Providing identical services to all clients
Cultural competence ensures interventions are respectful and
effective within the client’s cultural framework.
12. A client expresses anger toward the social worker during a
session. The most appropriate initial response is:
a. Ignore the anger to avoid conflict
b. Acknowledge the client’s feelings and explore underlying
concerns
SW III Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026-
2027 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of a Social
Worker III?
a. Conducting basic intake assessments only
b. Providing supervision to other social workers
c. Performing complex case management and clinical
assessments
d. Managing administrative office tasks
The Social Worker III is expected to handle complex case
management, clinical assessments, and supervise staff as
needed.
2. When assessing a client for potential abuse, the social worker’s
first responsibility is to:
a. Notify law enforcement immediately
b. Ensure the immediate safety of the client
c. Conduct a full psychosocial history
d. Contact family members
Safety is always the primary concern in suspected abuse cases;
other steps follow once the client is secure.
,3. In the context of mandated reporting, which of the following is
true?
a. Only children under 12 are protected by mandated reporting
laws
b. Reporting is optional if the social worker believes the abuse is
minor
c. Social workers are legally required to report suspected abuse
of vulnerable populations
d. Reports can be delayed until the case is fully investigated
Mandated reporters must report suspected abuse immediately
to protect vulnerable individuals.
4. A client shows signs of severe depression and expresses suicidal
thoughts. The social worker should:
a. Respect client confidentiality and not disclose the information
b. Advise the client to “cheer up” and monitor
c. Conduct a suicide risk assessment and take necessary safety
measures
d. Wait for the client to seek help voluntarily
Immediate assessment and safety planning are crucial to prevent
harm.
5. In supervision sessions with a Social Worker I, a Social Worker III
should focus primarily on:
a. Completing paperwork for the supervisee
b. Enhancing clinical skills and professional development
c. Assigning simple administrative tasks
d. Monitoring office attendance
Supervision at this level emphasizes clinical guidance, ethical
decision-making, and skill development.
,6. Which intervention is most appropriate for a family experiencing
chronic homelessness?
a. Providing only temporary shelter
b. Coordinating housing, employment, and supportive services
c. Suggesting family separation for safety
d. Focusing solely on mental health therapy
Effective intervention addresses multiple factors contributing to
chronic homelessness.
7. Confidentiality may be breached without client consent in which
scenario?
a. Client refuses therapy sessions
b. Client discusses personal habits
c. There is imminent risk of harm to self or others
d. Client misses appointments frequently
Confidentiality can be broken to prevent serious harm under
ethical and legal standards.
8. When developing a case plan, which factor should be prioritized?
a. Client’s income level
b. Social worker’s workload
c. Client’s strengths, needs, and goals
d. Office policies
A strengths-based approach ensures that the plan is tailored to
client needs and abilities.
9. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating a child’s
risk of neglect?
a. Beck Depression Inventory
b. MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
, c. Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment
d. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
CANS is specifically designed to assess needs and strengths in
children and risk factors like neglect.
10. When working with a client with severe substance use
disorder, the Social Worker III should:
a. Avoid confrontation about substance use
b. Refer solely to inpatient treatment
c. Conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop a
coordinated treatment plan
d. Focus only on family counseling
A holistic treatment plan addresses the client’s substance use
along with co-occurring issues.
11. The concept of “cultural competence” in social work
primarily requires:
a. Memorizing facts about all cultures
b. Understanding and respecting the client’s cultural context in
practice
c. Avoiding clients from unfamiliar cultures
d. Providing identical services to all clients
Cultural competence ensures interventions are respectful and
effective within the client’s cultural framework.
12. A client expresses anger toward the social worker during a
session. The most appropriate initial response is:
a. Ignore the anger to avoid conflict
b. Acknowledge the client’s feelings and explore underlying
concerns
