Confidentiality and Informed Consent in Social Work:

A Convenient Handout for your Clients and Practice Setting

Derek Chechak
School of Social Work
King’s University College
University of Western Ontario

Universal Exceptions to Confidentiality for Social Workers

1. When a client reveals an intent to commit a crime, harm another person, or

demonstrates behaviour that would be sufficient for the potential for such harm to exist
2. When a client discloses criminal activity
3. When the client has severe psychiatric symptoms that warrant hospitalization
4. When a client is under 16 years of age* and discloses physical, emotional, or sexual
abuse or neglect (*in the province of Ontario; age varies based on jurisdiction)
5. When a client is suicidal, or there is foreseeable suicide risk
6. If a client uses “mental condition” as a defense in a civil court action
7. When a client initiates a lawsuit (malpractice, negligence) against a social worker
8. When a social worker is court appointed to conduct an assessment or evaluation
9. When otherwise confidential information is subpoenaed in a court action

Ten Conditions that must be met for Informed Consent in Social Work Practice

1. The client must be told that there is a request to release certain information
2. The client must understand what information is to be disclosed
3. The client should have the opportunity to see the material that will be disclosed
4. The client must be told to whom exactly the information will be given
5. The client must be told why the information is being requested and how the other party
will use it
6. The client must be able to correct or amend the information before it is released to
ensure its accuracy and completeness
7. The client must understand whether or not the receiving party will (or has the right to)
pass it on to a third party
8. The client should be fully informed of potential repercussions that may result from
disclosure in order to make in informed decision to allow or deny the disclosure
9. The client should be advised that the consent is limited to six months, and is revocable
at any time
10. The client must read, understand, and sign a “Consent for Release of Information”
form