Final answer:
Social workers may break client confidentiality in extraordinary circumstances such as risk of harm, legal obligations, or with informed consent, always adhering to relevant regulations and ethical considerations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social workers are entrusted with the confidentiality of their clients to build trust and ensure safety, particularly when dealing with survivors who fear for their lives. However, this confidentiality is not absolute. Circumstances where a social worker might be justified or required to break confidentiality include when there is a risk of harm to the client or others, in cases of suspected abuse or neglect, especially with minors or vulnerable adults, or when legally obligated by a court order. It is also necessary when the client has provided informed consent for sharing specific information. Social workers must always consider the agency, state, and federal rules and regulations that govern confidentiality to protect the privacy and dignity of the client, personal harm, and secure operations of government and businesses. Frustrations such as work overload, bureaucracy, and personal responsibility for clients underscore the complexities of maintaining confidentiality while fulfilling professional responsibilities.