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Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 6.01 Social Welfare

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 6.01 Social Welfare

Preparing for the ASWB exam can feel overwhelming, especially when you come across sections that blend ethical theory with practical application. One of the most important areas you will encounter is 6.01 Social Welfare. This section goes beyond the basics of helping individual clients and emphasizes the larger responsibility Social Workers hold toward society.

Section 6.01 of the NASW Code of Ethics is all about promoting social well-being and advocating for fairness, justice, and equity. It reminds Social Workers that their role is bigger than solving problems in a counseling room. They are also responsible for addressing systemic issues that impact communities, such as poverty, discrimination, or lack of access to essential resources. On the exam, questions connected to this section often challenge you to recognize when advocacy or social action is the most ethical choice.

Understanding this portion of the Code is vital, both for passing the exam and for practicing as an effective Social Worker. It ensures that you can think critically about how individual and societal needs intersect, and it prepares you to respond when faced with ethical dilemmas in real life. By mastering 6.01 Social Welfare, you strengthen your ability to see the bigger picture of the profession while staying grounded in the everyday realities of client care.

Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers pass their ASWB exams and want to help you be next!

1) What Is 6.01 Social Welfare?

When studying for the ASWB exam, you will encounter Section 6.01: Social Welfare from the NASW Code of Ethics.

a diverse social worker promoting social welfare

This section outlines the broader responsibility Social Workers have, beyond individual client care, to promote justice and well-being at the community and societal level. Here’s the official wording:

6.01 Social Welfare
Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments. Social workers should advocate for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs and should promote social, economic, political, and cultural values and institutions that are compatible with the realization of social justice.

Breaking It Down

Let’s look at what each portion of this section means in practice:

  1. “Promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels”

    • Social Workers have responsibilities that extend beyond their immediate community. This means thinking about social issues on both a neighborhood and an international scale. On the exam, this could appear in a question about addressing a local housing crisis or advocating for refugee rights globally.

  2. “Development of people, their communities, and their environments”

    • Social Workers are tasked with supporting growth, stability, and well-being not just for individuals, but also for communities and even the environments they live in. This phrase reminds us that Social Work is holistic, it acknowledges the interconnectedness between people and their surroundings.

  3. “Advocate for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs”

    • This is where ethics meet real-world issues like food security, access to healthcare, safe housing, and clean water. For the exam, it is critical to understand that a Social Worker’s ethical duty is not fulfilled until these basic needs are addressed, whether through direct support or advocacy for better policies.

  4. “Promote social, economic, political, and cultural values and institutions that are compatible with the realization of social justice”

    • This portion emphasizes advocacy on a systemic level. Social Workers should support structures and policies that reduce oppression and enhance fairness. On the ASWB exam, this could be reflected in a question where a Social Worker must choose between staying silent about unjust policies or speaking out in support of marginalized groups.

Agents of Change packages include 30+ ASWB topics, 2 free study groups per month, and hundreds of practice questions so you’ll be ready for test day!

2) Why Understanding 6.01 Social Welfare Matters on the ASWB Exam

When you sit for the ASWB exam, ethics questions can feel deceptively simple. Many test-takers think they’re straightforward, but they often require deeper reasoning about professional responsibility.

a diverse social worker promoting social welfare

Section 6.01 Social Welfare plays a central role in that reasoning. Let’s explore why this section matters so much and how it will likely appear on your exam.

1. It Connects Individual Work to Collective Responsibility

Social Workers help individuals navigate crises, but the Code of Ethics expects them to see beyond the immediate. The ASWB exam often tests whether you can spot when systemic advocacy is ethically required.

  • A client might present with eviction, but the bigger issue could be discriminatory housing policies.

  • A teen may need counseling for depression, but you might also need to advocate for better mental health resources in schools.

  • The exam checks if you can hold both responsibilities at once—addressing the individual’s needs while recognizing the social structures at play.

2. It Reinforces Advocacy as an Ethical Duty

Section 6.01 is one of the clearest reminders that silence is not ethical neutrality. The exam expects you to understand that advocacy isn’t optional; it’s a professional obligation.

You might face questions like:

  • Should the Social Worker ignore a discriminatory law because it’s political?

  • Is it enough to refer a client to another agency when systemic barriers exist?

In these scenarios, the ethical answer usually involves taking action to challenge inequity, not stepping back.

3. It Bridges Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Social Work

The exam tests your ability to move between practice levels. Section 6.01 emphasizes all three:

  • Micro: Direct client support, ensuring individuals have resources to meet their basic needs.

  • Mezzo: Working with groups, schools, or communities to build support systems.

  • Macro: Advocating for policies and institutions that create long-term, systemic change.

On test day, recognizing these layers helps you identify the most ethical response.

4. It Prepares You for Scenario-Based Questions

Many exam questions aren’t about definitions; they’re about application. Understanding Section 6.01 ensures you can navigate tricky, real-life scenarios.

Consider what the exam is testing when it presents:

  • A family denied access to public benefits due to immigration status.

  • A community struggling with lack of safe drinking water.

  • A client impacted by cultural institutions that promote exclusion.

The correct answers will usually highlight both immediate support and broader advocacy, reflecting the balance Social Workers must maintain.

5. It Highlights the Profession’s Core Values

At its core, the ASWB exam isn’t just about memorization. It’s about confirming that future Social Workers truly understand the mission of the profession. Section 6.01 Social Welfare reminds you that:

  • Social Work is rooted in justice and fairness.

  • The profession extends responsibility beyond the therapy room.

  • Ethical practice requires courage to confront systemic barriers.

By understanding this section, you align yourself with the profession’s values, which is exactly what the ASWB exam is measuring.

3) ASWB Practice Question: 6.01 Social Welfare

A Social Worker at a community agency learns that a recently passed city ordinance restricts access to homeless shelters for individuals without state-issued identification. Several of the Social Worker’s clients are now being denied shelter, leaving them at risk of living on the street. What is the Social Worker’s most ethical response?

A. Continue providing counseling services to the clients and encourage them to seek alternative housing options.
B. Organize an advocacy effort to challenge the ordinance while continuing to support the clients’ immediate needs.
C. Avoid involvement in the issue because it is political and outside the scope of direct practice.
D. Refer the clients to another agency that may be able to help them access housing.

Correct Answer: B. Organize an advocacy effort to challenge the ordinance while continuing to support the clients’ immediate needs.

Rationale

Section 6.01 Social Welfare requires Social Workers to promote the general welfare of society and advocate for living conditions that meet basic human needs. While continuing to provide support to clients (such as counseling or referrals) is important, those actions alone do not address the broader systemic injustice created by the ordinance. Ignoring the issue because it is “political” contradicts the ethical duty outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics.

The most ethical response involves a dual responsibility: meeting immediate client needs while advocating for policy change to correct systemic barriers. Choice B aligns directly with 6.01 because it combines direct care with social action, ensuring both individual and collective well-being are addressed.

4) FAQs – Code of Ethics: 6.01 Social Welfare

Q: How often does 6.01 Social Welfare appear on the ASWB exam?

A: While there isn’t a fixed number of questions tied to any single section of the Code of Ethics, Social Welfare concepts are woven into many scenarios. Ethics questions typically make up a significant portion of the exam, and 6.01 frequently appears in situations that ask about advocacy, community well-being, or systemic injustice. The exam is less about direct memorization and more about showing that you can apply these principles to real-world practice.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake test-takers make with 6.01 Social Welfare?

A: A common mistake is assuming that helping an individual client is always enough. For example, providing counseling or making a referral might feel like the right choice, but if the question highlights systemic barriers like discriminatory laws, unjust policies, or unsafe community conditions, the most ethical answer often includes advocacy as well. The exam tests whether you understand that Social Work includes both micro-level care and macro-level responsibility.

Q: How can I study effectively for this section of the Code of Ethics?

A: The best approach is to practice applying the Code to realistic case examples. Reading the text of Section 6.01 is essential, but pairing it with scenario-based practice questions will make the ideas stick. Using resources like Agents of Change can be especially effective, since they offer comprehensive materials, practice exams, live study groups, and flashcards. Every program also includes a study plan to keep you on track, and you’ll have access until you pass, which means you’ll never invest “too soon.”

5) Conclusion

Understanding 6.01 Social Welfare is more than a test-taking requirement. It is an essential part of what defines the Social Work profession. By recognizing the duty to promote social justice, advocate for fair policies, and protect the welfare of communities, you are preparing yourself not only for the exam but for the responsibilities that come with professional practice.

This section of the Code of Ethics reminds you that Social Work is about balancing the needs of individuals with the needs of society. The ASWB exam will challenge you to apply this balance in scenarios that test both your ethical reasoning and your ability to see the bigger picture. Knowing how to respond ethically in situations involving injustice or systemic barriers is precisely what separates memorization from true professional readiness.

► Learn more about the Agents of Change course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com

About the Instructor, Dr. Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!

Find more from Agents of Change here:

► Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aswbtestprep

► Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agents-of-change-sw

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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