Social Work Exam Revision Questions

Social Work – Revision Exam Questions (Certificate Level, Kenya)

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (10 Marks)

1. Which of these is NOT a core value of social work?
   1. Social justice
      
   2. Confidentiality
      
   3. Profit maximization
      
   4. Human dignity
      Answer: c) Profit maximization
2. The primary role of a social worker in child protection is:
   1. Punishing abusive parents
      
   2. Advocating for the child’s best interests
      
   3. Providing legal representation
      
   4. Fundraising for NGOs
      Answer: b) Advocating for the child’s best interests
3. Which Kenyan law protects persons with disabilities?
   1. The Marriage Act
      
   2. The Persons with Disabilities Act (2003)
      
   3. The Employment Act
      
   4. The Penal Code
      Answer: b) The Persons with Disabilities Act (2003)
4. A social worker conducting home visits to assess a family’s needs is practicing:
   1. Community mobilization
      
   2. Casework
      
   3. Policy analysis
      
   4. Research
      Answer: b) Casework
5. Which of these is a key challenge for social workers in Kenya?
   1. Excessive salaries
      
   2. Lack of community trust
      
   3. Overabundance of resources
      
   4. Limited caseloads
      Answer: b) Lack of community trust

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Section B: Short Answer Questions (20 Marks)

6. Define “social welfare” and give one example in Kenya.
   Answer:
   • Definition: Services and support systems to improve well-being (e.g., cash transfers, healthcare).
     
   • Example: Inua Jamii program for elderly and vulnerable citizens.
7. List three ethical dilemmas a social worker may face.
   Answer:
   • Breaching confidentiality to report child abuse.
     
   • Balancing cultural practices vs. human rights (e.g., FGM).
     
   • Limited resources forcing prioritization of cases.
8. What is the difference between “casework” and “group work”?
   Answer:
   • Casework: One-on-one support for individuals/families.
     
   • Group work: Interventions with groups (e.g., youth, recovering addicts).
9. Name two government agencies in Kenya that collaborate with social workers.
   Answer:
   • Department of Children’s Services
     
   • National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)
10. Why is self-awareness important for social workers?
    Answer:
    • Prevents personal biases from affecting professional judgment.
      
    • Helps manage emotional stress when handling traumatic cases.

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Section C: Scenario-Based Questions (20 Marks)

11. Case Study: A 14-year-old girl reports sexual abuse by her uncle. Her family pressures her to withdraw the case to “avoid shame.”
    

• a) What legal steps should the social worker take?
  Answer:
  • Report to police and the Children’s Office under the Sexual Offences Act.
    
  • Ensure the child’s safety (e.g., temporary shelter).
    
• b) How would you address the family’s resistance?
  Answer:
  • Educate them on child rights and legal consequences of abuse.
    
  • Provide counseling to reduce stigma.

12. You are assigned to a community with high unemployment and alcoholism. Propose two interventions.
    Answer:
    

• Start vocational training programs for youth.
  
• Partner with NACADA to run addiction awareness campaigns.

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Section D: Essay Questions (30 Marks)

13. Discuss the role of social workers in disaster management in Kenya.
    Answer:
    • Preparedness: Educating communities on disaster risks (e.g., floods).
      
    • Response: Coordinating relief (food, shelter) for affected families.
      
    • Recovery: Providing psychosocial support and rebuilding livelihoods.
14. Explain how poverty contributes to child labor in Kenya and suggest solutions.
    Answer:
    • Causes: Families rely on children’s income for survival.
      
    • Solutions:
      • Strengthen cash transfer programs (e.g., Inua Jamii).
        
      • Enforce free primary education policies.
        
      • Raise awareness on child labor laws.
15. Analyze the importance of the “strengths-based approach” in social work.
    Answer:
    • Focuses on clients’ abilities (not just problems).
      
    • Empowers communities to use local resources.
      
    • Example: Training single mothers in entrepreneurship.

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Bonus: Definitions (5 Marks)

16. Match each term to its definition:
    

• i) Advocacy
  
• ii) Empowerment
  
• iii) GBV
  Definitions:
  1. Helping clients gain control over their lives.
     
  2. Publicly supporting a cause (e.g., rights of PWDs).
     
  3. Violence based on gender (e.g., domestic abuse).
     Answer:
     
• i → b, ii → a, iii → c