Which are common examples of mandated reporting for social workers?

• A. Suspected child abuse/neglect and suspected elder or dependent-adult abuse/neglect; reports follow state/provincial law.
• B. Suspected child abuse/neglect only; elder abuse is never mandated.
• C. Reports can be optional in most jurisdictions.
• D. Only financial exploitation cases require reporting.

Answer: (A)

Mandated reporting is the legal obligation for social workers to report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. In practice, this obligation commonly covers both children and older adults or dependent adults who may be abused or neglected. The requirement is tied to state or provincial laws that specify who must report, what kinds of concerns qualify, and the steps to follow to connect with protective services. Because protected populations—children and vulnerable adults—may not be able to advocate for themselves, professionals like social workers are charged with acting on reasonable suspicions to ensure safety and intervention.

This is why the best choice includes both suspected child abuse/neglect and suspected elder or dependent-adult abuse/neglect, with the emphasis that those reports are mandated by law. The other options are not accurate because reporting is generally not optional in these contexts, elder abuse is typically included among mandated concerns, and while financial exploitation can be a serious issue, it is not the sole or universally required focus of mandated reporting.