You discover you are dating a client’s brother. What should you do?

In the context of social work, maintaining professional boundaries and managing potential conflicts of interest are crucial components of ethical practice. Since you are dating the client's brother, this scenario introduces a conflict that could compromise the integrity of the social worker-client relationship.

By choosing to inform the client and refer them to another social worker, you are prioritizing the client's well-being and the effectiveness of the services they receive. This approach ensures that the client can access professional support without any potential bias or influence your personal relationship might bring. It also adheres to the ethical guideline of avoiding dual relationships that could impair professional judgment or create the appearance of impropriety.

This course of action demonstrates a commitment to ethical standards, allowing the client to receive support without the added complication of your personal connections. Choosing to tell the client while continuing the relationship would not be appropriate, as it could lead to discomfort or conflict in the therapeutic process. Similarly, maintaining the secret or ending the relationship without transparency would not serve the best interest of the client and could potentially harm their trust in professional relationships.