Free DCD Social Work (DCD Abu Dhabi) mock test

Social Work (DCD Abu Dhabi) sample questions with answers

10 more original exam-style Social Work (DCD Abu Dhabi) questions, worked in full. They are not real or recalled exam questions, and none of them is in the diagnostic above, so sit that first if you have not.

1. Question 1 · Professional Knowledge and Theories

   Which law in the UAE sets out the rights of the child and requires professionals to report children at risk?

   1. AFederal Law No. 3 of 2016 on Child Rights (Wadeema's Law)
   2. BFederal Law No. 8 of 1980 regulating Labour Relations in the UAE
   3. CFederal Law No. 28 of 2005 on Personal Status
   4. DFederal Law No. 5 of 1985 on Civil Transactions
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 on Child Rights (Wadeema's Law)

   Wadeema's Law establishes the rights of the child, defines a child as a person under 18, and obliges professionals who learn of abuse or neglect to report it to the competent authorities. The other laws regulate employment, personal status and civil transactions.

   Reference: UAE Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 on Child Rights (Wadeema's Law)

2. Question 2 · Professional Knowledge and Theories

   In Bowlby's attachment theory, what does a secure base mean for a young child?

   1. AA caregiver whose reliable presence lets the child explore and return
   2. BA home that is physically safe from all hazards at every time of the day
   3. CA school that provides a structured daily routine
   4. DA peer group that encourages independence from adults
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. A caregiver whose reliable presence lets the child explore and return

   A secure base is a responsive caregiver from whom the child can venture out and to whom he can return when distressed, and this supports emotional security. Physical safety and routines matter but do not define attachment.

   Reference: Zastrow C & Kirst-Ashman K, Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 10th ed. (Cengage, 2016), Attachment

3. Question 3 · Professional Skills

   A social worker wants to confirm she has understood a client's account. What should she do?

   1. AAssume she has understood and then move on to the next question
   2. BRepeat the client's last word several times in a row
   3. CCorrect the client's account to match her own view
   4. DSummarise the main points and ask the client to confirm them
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Summarise the main points and ask the client to confirm them

   Summarising and checking back ensures accuracy and shows the client that she has been listened to. Assuming understanding or imposing the worker's view risks errors.

   Reference: Bailey M, Mastering Communication in Social Work (Jessica Kingsley, 2014), Summarising

4. Question 4 · Professional Skills

   Which behaviour helps keep professional boundaries with clients?

   1. AKeep contact within the agreed professional framework and use supervision
   2. BSharing personal social media accounts with the client
   3. CAccepting expensive gifts to avoid offending the client or the client's family
   4. DMeeting the client socially outside the working hours
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Keep contact within the agreed professional framework and use supervision

   Boundaries protect clients from exploitation and workers from role confusion, and supervision provides a safe space to deal with difficult situations. Social contact and valuable gifts blur the roles.

   Reference: Cooper F, Professional Boundaries in Social Work and Social Care (Jessica Kingsley, 2012)

5. Question 5 · Values

   A social worker avoids describing a client's disability as a problem and focuses on removing barriers in the environment. Which model is this?

   1. AThe medical model of disability
   2. BThe social model of disability
   3. CThe charity model of disability
   4. DThe deficit model of disability
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. The social model of disability

   The social model locates disability in barriers created by society rather than in the person's impairment, and it directs action at changing the environment. The medical and charity models treat disability as an individual problem to be cured or pitied.

   Reference: Beckett C & Maynard A, Values and Ethics in Social Work, 2nd ed. (SAGE, 2013), Anti-discriminatory practice

6. Question 6 · Values

   Which of the following describes informed consent?

   1. AA signature obtained from the client without any explanation
   2. BVerbal agreement obtained from the family on the client's behalf without the client present
   3. CConsent assumed because the client attended the appointment
   4. DVoluntary agreement from a client with capacity who understands the purpose and risks
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Voluntary agreement from a client with capacity who understands the purpose and risks

   Informed consent requires capacity, voluntariness and understanding of relevant information including risks and alternatives. A signature alone or a relative's agreement does not meet this test.

   Reference: NASW Code of Ethics (2021 revision), Standard 1.03

7. Question 7 · Professional Assessment and Interventions

   A social worker decides to evaluate whether an intervention is working. Which approach is most suitable?

   1. ARely solely on the worker's own impression gained at the final session
   2. BCompare progress with the goals set in the plan using agreed measures
   3. CAssume success if the client continued to attend
   4. DAsk only the family whether they liked the worker
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Compare progress with the goals set in the plan using agreed measures

   Evaluation uses agreed goals and measurable indicators to judge change, giving objective evidence beyond impressions or attendance. It can involve the client's views but should not rely on satisfaction alone.

   Reference: Poulin J & Matis S, Social Work Practice: A Competency-Based Approach (Springer, 2019), Evaluation

8. Question 8 · Professional Assessment and Interventions

   A social worker plans for an older woman with dementia who lives alone and is neglecting self-care. Which step is most appropriate?

   1. AMove her to a care home immediately without discussion
   2. BAssess her capacity and needs, and involve her in a risk-managed plan
   3. CLeave her with no services at all since she has never asked for any help
   4. DAsk neighbours to monitor her without informing her
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Assess her capacity and needs, and involve her in a risk-managed plan

   Assessment should establish capacity and needs, and plans should respect her wishes and involve her, using the least restrictive option that manages risk. Imposing a move or ignoring need is neither respectful nor safe.

   Reference: Trevithick P, Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A Practice Handbook, 3rd ed. (Open University Press, 2012), Working with older people

9. Question 9 · Leadership and Management

   A manager wants to improve service quality in a family support unit. Which approach is evidence-based?

   1. AChange procedures each month without reviewing results
   2. BRely on the longest-serving staff alone to decide on all of the practice matters
   3. CCollect outcome data, review it with staff and adjust practice accordingly
   4. DCopy another agency's practice without adapting it
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Collect outcome data, review it with staff and adjust practice accordingly

   Using data on outcomes to review and adjust practice is the heart of evidence-based management and quality improvement. Arbitrary change or uncritical copying does not show whether service is improving.

   Reference: Gambrill E, Social Work Practice: A Critical Thinker's Guide, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2013)

10. Question 10 · Leadership and Management

    A case manager arranges housing, income support and counselling for a vulnerable family and then checks regularly whether each service is delivered. Which two case-management functions are shown?

    1. AAssessment and termination
    2. BResearch and policy development
    3. CLinking and monitoring
    4. DFundraising and marketing
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C. Linking and monitoring

    Arranging access to services is linking, and checking that they are delivered and still meet needs is monitoring. These are core functions that keep care coordinated.

    Reference: Vourlekis B, Social Work Case Management (Routledge, 2017), Case management