When a social worker's colleague is displaying incompetence during service to their clients, the social worker should discuss this matter first with the:

• A. Client
• B. Regulatory body
• C. Supervisor
• D. Colleague

Answer: (D)

When a colleague is displaying incompetence in serving clients, the best starting point is to discuss the concern directly with that colleague. This approach aligns with professional duties to address issues at the source, giving the colleague a chance to reflect, correct course, and seek needed support or training. It also promotes quicker remediation for the client, preserves a collaborative work environment, and helps gather firsthand information about what’s happening.

In practice, have a private, nonjudgmental conversation focused on clear, specific observations and the impact on clients. Invite the colleague to share their perspective and offer support or resources to help them improve. If the behavior continues, or if there’s immediate risk to clients, escalate to a supervisor for formal oversight. If the situation remains unresolved after proper internal steps, then involve higher authorities as appropriate.

Discussing with the client or going straight to a regulator bypasses the internal corrective processes and can undermine trust and professional accountability, while involving a supervisor first, though appropriate in some cases, is not the initial step when the concern can be addressed directly with the colleague.