Question

A mother and her 8-year-old daughter are referred to a social worker after a school counselor receives several reports that the girl has been bullying classmates. The mother is confused and says that her daughter gets along well with her two siblings and other children in their apartment complex. After completing a social and developmental history from the mother, the social worker should NEXT:

A. Schedule an individual session with the girl.
B. Have the mother sign a release to talk with the school counselor.
C. Schedule a session with the siblings to gather additional information.
D. Request the girl's school record.

Answer 1

The social worker should next obtain a release from the mother to speak with the school counselor to better understand the girl's bullying behavior in the school context (option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

After completing a social and developmental history with the mother regarding her daughter's bullying behavior at school, the social worker should next have the mother sign a release to speak with the school counselor. This step is pivotal because it allows the social worker to gather more context and insight from the school environment, which differs from the home and apartment complex setting where the daughter reportedly gets along well with her siblings and other children. Understanding the school dynamics will contribute to a more comprehensive assessment of the girl's behavior and help in planning appropriate interventions for the bullying issue.

Hence, the answer is option B.