The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: Work with the father to set expectations regarding a call schedule.
This option represents the most ethical and effective social work practice in this scenario. The core of the issue is not the father’s concern for his son, but the lack of professional boundaries and his unrealistic expectations regarding the social worker’s availability. Establishing clear boundaries is a fundamental responsibility for social workers to maintain a healthy therapeutic relationship, prevent professional burnout, and ensure they can effectively serve all their clients.
By choosing to work with the father, the social worker takes a collaborative and proactive approach. This action validates the father’s feelings and his role in his son’s life while simultaneously asserting the professional’s need for structure. Together, they can agree upon specific times for calls and establish a reasonable timeframe for returning messages, such as within 24 business hours. This process helps to manage the father’s anxiety by creating a predictable and reliable system of communication. It empowers him by making him part of the solution rather than just identifying him as the problem.
The other choices are less appropriate. Answering every call to appease him reinforces the disruptive behavior and leads to burnout. Engaging in person only is too restrictive and impractical. Immediately referring him to a supervisor is a premature escalation; the social worker should first attempt to manage the situation themselves. Suggesting email does not solve the root problem, as the father could simply send numerous emails and expect immediate replies. Therefore, collaboratively setting expectations for a call schedule is the best strategy to resolve the conflict, respect all parties, and maintain a professional and sustainable working relationship.
