´SOCIAL CASEWORK

(Working with Individuals)

CONTENT
I. Review of Key / Relevant
II. Concepts
III. History of Casework
IV. Component of Casework
V. Problem Solving Process
VI. Helping Process
VII.Tools in Casework
VIII.Models / Methods
IX. Approaches in Casework
 Social Work Method:
Working withIndividuals

helping process consists of variety of

activities
 – giving of material assistance
– referral to other community facilities
– rendering emotional and psychological
support
(EstherVilloria)
A method of engaging a client through
relationship process, essentially one on
one , in the use of social service towards
his/her own and the general social
welfare
(Smalley,1967)
 Method of social work intervention used to
address problems of social functioning for
which a person experiences discomfort and
needs professional help so as to be able to
cope.
(de Guzman,1983)
• Process used by human welfare agencies to help
individuals to cope more effectively with their
problems of social functioning. It encompasses 4
components of social work practice: person
(client), problem, place (agency), and process
(helping/problem solving process)
(Helen HarrisPearlman)
 Casework
Generic Definition
• A method of helping people solve their
own problems (personal, as well as
external and environmental problems)
• It is individualized, scientific and
artistic;
• A method of helping through
arelationship that taps personal and
other resources for copingwith
problems
• itis bio-psycho-social
Case WorkRelationship
Dynamic interaction of attitudes and
emotions between the case worker and
the client to achieve a better
adjustment between himself and his
environment (Biestek,1957)
Client worker relationship is established
with the purpose of attaining the
objectives of helping
◦ Relationship is guided towards:
Therapeutically positive communication
Maintaining/promoting clients inner security and self
esteem Mobilizing inner and outer resources and
realistic level of relationship to promote individual
growth and development
 and to achieve better adjustment between the
clients self and the environment

Case WorkRelationship
The relationship is the dynamic interaction and
psychological interplay both between the
worker and the client with their particular
attitudes and feelings in a particularsituation
The relationship is a professional one which
requires the following principles
(Biestek,1957):
◦ Individualization
◦ purposeful expression of feelings
◦ controlled emotionalinvolvement
◦ Acceptance
◦ Non-judgementalattitude
◦ Client’s self determination
◦ Confidentiality
SocialFunctioning
The relation between coping activity of
people and the demand from the
environment (Bartlett, 1970)
The interaction between the individual and
his situation or environment
(Mendoza,2003:73)
Relates to fulfilling one's role in society in
general, to those in the immediate
environment, and to oneself. (These
functions include meeting one's basic needs
and those of one's dependents and making
positive contributions to society )(Dubois
and Miley: Social Work, An Empowering
Profession,4th Edition.2002.p1)
SocialEnvironment
´ A network of
overlapping social
systems and social
institutions, including
ecological systems,
cultures andinstitutions
 SocialSituation
A smaller, more immediate
environment that has “meaning for the
individual and that is uniquely perceived
and interpreted by him / her, in which he /
she has one or more status-roles and
identities; or he / she is a group member or
role performer
Case Management
It is a way of delivering services where a
social workers assumes responsibility for
assessing with a client what services he/she
needs, and helps obtain those services for
the client (Mendoza, 2008)
A service delivery system that organize,
coordinates, and sustains a network of formal
and informal supports and activities designed
to optimize the functioning and well-being of
people with multiple needs (Moxley,1989)
A procedure to plan, seek, and monitor
servicesfrom different social agencies and staff
in behalf of a client (Barker)

Case Study
An in-depth analysis of asubject or
entity
The product of gathering a
substantial amount of information
concerning the person-problem-
situation (assessment process)
Its goal is to describe as accurately
as possible the fullest, most
complete
description of the case
History of Casework (Philippines)

1917
• First professional method of social
work intervention practiced in the
Philippines introduced by the
Associated Charities of Manila
• Associated Charities of Manila was
a family welfare agency, that
employed―h o me visitors.
History of Casework
1920
Psychiatric social work was
introduced in Welfareville, then
the seat of government
child-rearing institutions
History ofCasework
1941
• Dr. Jose Vergara, then Superintendent of Associated
Charities of Manila (ACM) appreciated the value of
psychiatric social work in the USA, thus, he employed
social workers to work with children and youth
• First social workers employed functioned as
caseworkers for children and youth
 • Later on ACM was absorbed by the Bureau of Public
Welfare to carry out its public assistance program
History ofCasework
1951
• The Social Welfare Administration had
expanded and social workers were
assigned in every province and major city
• It was oftentimes engaged in disasters
and emergency relief
which left little time for actual casework
process
History ofCasework
1954
• The Department of Health issued a circular
requiring national, provincial, city, and
emergency hospitals to employ social
workers
• The Medical Social Service Unit was installed
in the Bureau of Hospitalsthis development
promoted the practice of casework in the
medical and psychiatric settings in public and
private hospitals and clinic

History ofCasework
1980
• Like the American counterparts, local practitioners
recognized that material assistance did not
automatically solve individual problems
• This period gave rise to problems that bear on the
emotional and psychological functioning of
individuals as a result of modernization – addition,
marital conflict, broken homes, growing number of
mentally ill patients, and many other signs of
psychological dysfunctioning
• Thus, casework practice was renewed in earnest,
enriched and strengthened
Casework is set in motion when:
• An individual PERSON (or client)..
• With a PROBLEM (or need)....
 • Go to a PLACE (or agency)..who employs a
professional representative (social worker)
• Engages the client, as they embark together in a
scientific, working relationship (PROCESS):
• Problem Solving Process
• Helping Relationship
Nature of the
client(PERSON)
Components
of Casework
(also called components
CLIENT
of the problem solving
process in SW)
• It refers to a person, family, group
or community as the focus of
worker’s helping activity.
• The person who comes to a helping
situation to seek help as voluntary
client or require to use help as
involuntary client.
• S/he comes with concerns, unmet needs, and problems of
social functioning, comes from a societal or cultural milieu
(set of life experiences
and set of patterns of transactions with other people)
• A client brings in also his/her total SELF, biological,
psychological, cultural, spiritual being ( a unique person
in a unique situation)
Elements of Change forClients
A. Person’s motivation to change
• —Client’s willingness to be involved in the helping
relationship and participate in the helping process
B. Person’s opportunity for change
• It refers to the conditions of the environment; the
availability of recourses and services needed to effect
change
C. Person’s capacity to change
• —Refers to the qualities and personality make-up of
intellectual and physical endowment.The internal resource
 the client – physical, emotional, psychological or
intellectual fitness
Person’s capacities to change:
1. Relationship – (emotional capacity)- the ability to
relate satisfactorily with self, with family, with others;
ability to communicate with other’s positive feelings,
attitudes, and thinking, perceives and reacts to realistic
situations with consideration for others.
2. Problem-Solving – relates to cognitive development
(social intelligence, perceptiveness, ability to
communicate, capacity to think constructively and
consistently; reality testing)
3. Biophysical – one’s biological constitution or
handicapping condition, physical characteristics, health
and genetic factors (physical appearance and
characteristics) physical health
The Problem………
• Is an unmet need, which hampers or undermine a person’s
adequate living.
• The composite of internal and external factors (i.e., economic,
physical, psychological, and social factors) which affects the
person’s social functioning.
• May be a deficiency or lack of material means of personal
capacity ( temporary / permanent ) or of the knowledge or
preparation needed to carry out social roles
• It may be due to a disturbance between expectations of a person
and demands of various segments of the person’s environment
• Usually resulting to stress (psychological, social, and physical)
that causes the person to be ineffective or disturbed in carrying
out his/her social roles.

Nature of theProblem
Social work is concerned with
problems in social functioning
which rests mainly on
interpersonal relationships, in
negotiating with systems in the
environment, or in role
performance.
Case Study
A 30 year-old battered woman approached your agency to seek
help. According to her, ―she ran away from her home and has
nowhere to go, has not yet eaten for the entire day, and is worried
about her 2 children who is still with her abusive partner.

Being the social worker, which of the following statement of the

potential client would you assess and consider as her immediate
problem?
 a.―she ran away from home and has nowhere to go
b.―she has not yet eaten for the entire day
c.―she is a battered woman
d.―she is worried about her 2 children who is still with her
abusive partner
A 30 year-old battered woman approached your agency to
seek help. According to her, ―she ran away from her
home and has nowhere to go, has not yet eaten for the
entire day, and is worried about her 2 children who is still
with her abusive partner

‖.In the case presented above, which statement of the

potential client depicts her presenting problem?
a.―she ran away from home and has nowhere to go
b.―she has not yet eaten for a day
c.―she is a battered woman
d.―she is worried for her children who is still with her
partner
A 30 year-old battered woman approached your agency to
seek help. According to her, ―she ran away from her
home and has nowhere to go, has not yet eaten for the
entire day, and is worried about her 2 children who is still
with her abusive partner

‖. In the same case, which statement of the potential

client implies her underlying problem?
a.―she ran away from home and has nowhere to go
b.―she has not yet eaten for a day
c.―she is a battered woman
d.―she is worried for her children who is still with her
partner
A 30 year-old battered woman approached your agency to
seek help. According to her, ―she ran away from her
home and has nowhere to go, has not yet eaten for the
entire day, and is worried about her 2 children who is still
with her abusive partner
 ‖. As the social worker on duty at that time, how would
you go about the case presented above? a. Refer the client
to appropriate agency who may help her.
a. Provide temporary shelter to the client.
b. Address the immediate need of the client.
c. Conduct intake interview.
The Problem in 3 Frames ofReference
• Immediate Problem
The problem about which the client is most concerned
about.
This causes the current difficulty and in term, the clients
perceives the need for help (usually the presenting problem, but not
all the time)

• Underlying Problem
The overall situation created and tends to perpetuate the
immediate problem.

• Working problem
 These are contributory factors that stand in the way of both
remedy and prevention and must be dealt with if change is to take
place.
Presenting Problem - It is a problem that is a threat to the client’s or others’
welfare, and usually stated or presented as it is being perceived or experienced
by the client.
A. Natureof agency & resources(PLACE )

The Agency
• A structure by which it organizes and delegates its
responsibility and tasks and governing policies and
procedures that stabilizes and systematizes its operations
• Established as a result of community’s concern to meet
certain needs of people.
• It’s mission, goals, vision, programs and services are set
up to address these needs
• Employs staff to carry out its functions; social worker
represents both the agency and the profession
Nature of the Client-WorkerRelationship
(PROCESS)
• Problem solving process as a helping, analytical, and
therapeutic process involved in the dynamic client-
worker relationship.
• It is to help client use and mobilize his / her inner and
outer resources with his/her maximum participation
for effective social functioning
• It is to equip client with a way of coping with
problems in the future
• The goal is to help client cope effectively as possible
with problems in carrying out social tasks and
relationships which are perceived and felt stressful.
 Social Work
Problem Solving
Process
The SW Problem – Solving Process

• a series of planned activity in sequential

stages , with the goal of achieving an
effective solution to a problem
• Each phase or stage of the process requires
the application and use of necessary social
knowledge and skills to effectively assist
the client/s in their respective difficulty or
problems.
ORIGIN OFTHE PSP
• essentially an adaptation of the classic scientific method
• PSP is based on reflective thought that begins with a
feeling of doubt or confusion. In order to solve a
problem, a person follows a rational procedure
consisting of steps in an orderly sequence, referred to as
the “five phases of reflective thinking”(source: ―How
We Think, John Dewey, 1933)
• In 1940s, George Polya, a mathematics professor,
developed a model which he intended to be used as a
guide by any one engaged in problem-solving.
 Comparison of Problem Solving
Models
JohnDewey(1933) GeorgePolya(1940)
1 Recognize the difficulty Understanding the problem
situation, goal and
conditions
2 Define/specify the difficulty
Devise a plan

3 Raising suggestion/possible
Carry out the plan
solutions

4 Selecting solution Evaluate the plan

(implementation & results
)
5 Carry out the solution.
A SOCIAL WORK PROBLEM-SOLVING
FRAMEWORK (Helen Harris Perlman )
• Perlman is the author of the
problem-solving framework in
social work
• — She described the social work
process as a progressive transaction
between the professional helper and
the client, consisting of a series of
problem-solving operations
A SOCIAL WORK PROBLEM-SOLVING
FRAMEWORK (Helen HarrisPerlman)
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING
1. STUDY The facts that constitute and bear upon the
problem must be ascertained and grasped
2. DIAGNOSIS The facts must be thought about, turned
over, probed into, and organized in the mind, examined
in their relationships to one another, and searched for
their significance
3. TREATMENT Some choice or decision must be made
as an end result of the consideration of the particular
facts with the intention of resolving the problem
Generic Steps in theS W Problem-
solving Process
1. Recognition or definition of the
problem, (engagement with the client
system);
2. Data-collection;
3. Assessment of the situation;
4. Goal-setting and the planning of an
action;
5. Intervention or the carrying out of the
action;
6. Evaluation;
7. Termination
´Generic Problem ´Solving
Process
 Is Problem Solving Processand the Helping Process
thesame?

SW Problem Solving Process VS SW Helping Process

•a cognitiveprocess •Not just a cognitive

•a rationalprocedure process for it involves a
•follows sequential step relationship between
two parties, the worker
and the client system.

•Professional values and

ethical principles guide
this relationship
 FLOREN CE ROBERT D.VINTER ARTHUR DUNHAM
HOL LIS Group work process Community
Casework Process Organization Process
1.Definingthegeneral 1.Intake 1.Recognition
natureproblem of theproblem
presented
2. Psychological
study 2. Diagnosisandtreatment 2. Analysisof the
planning problemor Assessment
3. Diagnosisand 3. Group composition 3. Planningor
formulationtreatment considerationof the
plans actionto be taken
4.Treatment 4. Group development
and 4. Action — is the
treatment executionof the plans
andinitiationof the
serviceor project
5.Evaluation 5.Evaluation 5.Evaluation
6.Termination
 Helping
Assessment Process
BEGINN ING
PHASE

Planning
MIDDLE/INTER-
VENTION PHASE
Intervention

ENDI N G
Evaluation PHASE

Termination
The STEPS in the Social Work
The Helping Process
“Relationship” / Working
Relationship / Helpingrelationship
• —A basic concept in social work.
• specifies distinctly the element of relationship
as the moving force in effective client-worker
problem solving effort
• Emphasis:on the client-worker
relationship, it is such a crucial factor it can
spell the difference between successful or
unsuccessful problemsolving.
Components of theHelping
Relationship
a.Reality - Realistic and objective perception of existing
condition
b.Transference (unconscious &not-reality based)
—A type of reaction-clients displacement on the
worker of the particular feelings and attitudes
originally experienced toward the family members
or people the client is closed to;
—Operates through the mechanisms of projection and
identification;
c.Counter-transference (unconscious & not-reality
based)
—It is carrying over the worker’s particular
feelings and reactions to a person in the
worker’s past and applying them to the client.
Other Important Elements inthe
Helping Process
Worker’s ValuesSystem
—The conscious use of one’s self; the course of
helping requires judgment and maturity.
—Many of these values, particularly the worker’s
personal, religious and cultural values have
usually been so internalized that the worker is
often not conscious that she is judging other
people’s behavior along these values.
—Self-awareness may be called for in situations
where worker’s values clash with the
client’svalues.
—Self-awareness is also called for when there is
a difference between the problems and
priorities as the worker sees them and as her
client sees them.
Other Important Elements inthe
 Helping Process
Authority
• There are two sources of a worker’s
authority:
• SWr position and corresponding functions
in the agency
• Possession of knowledge and experience,
which is why she is presumed to be
capable of helping others.
• The important thing about authority and
power that goes with it is how it is used.
 Authority, in itself, is neither good nor
bad.
Strengths-Based Practice
Principle
The following practice principles may be
helpful to keep in mind in helping
people:
—Focus on client strengths, resources,
coping abilities that make them
capable of change and active
participants in the change process.
—Put clients in charge of the helping
process.
—Worker and client continually
evaluate client’s progress, i.e.,
whether the issues or concerns for
which help was sought have
improved
The Person-In-Environment
Interaction/ Transaction
(Underpinning Concept of the HelpingProcess)

The Ecological or Life Model of

Practice espouses the view that
transactions take place between
people and the environment-
meaning there is a consistent
strivings in people to achieve
goodness-or-fit with their
environment.
The STEPS in the Social Work
 Helping
Assessment Process

Planning

Intervention

Evaluation

Termination
I.ASSESSMENT
—“a process and a product of understanding on
which action is based.” (Max Siporin ).
—Purpose: to provide understanding necessaryfor
appropriateplanning.
—Process : involves the collection of necessary
information and its analysis and interpretation in
order to reach an understanding of the client, the
problem, and the social context in which it exists.
—The SWR's make a professional judgment of the
latter’s functioning (guided by theoretical
knowledge, observations and analytical skill)
—PSYCHO-SOCIAL ASSESSMENT – is used to
denote a more holistic, inclusive and
comprehensive view of the inter relationship of the
 multiple facets of the client’s life and
understanding of the person in context
I.ASSESSMENT
BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIALASSESSMENT
A.Biological Context – it includes current & past physical
conditions, genetic factors & health, physical
functioning,state of health, focus on the presence of
illnesses, injuries, disability and genetic abnormalities that
produces stress on the body
B.Social Context – encompasses an understanding
ofinterpersonal relationships as part of the client’s life
(family and other significant relationships and the culture
permeating client’s life)
C.Psychological Dimension – better grasped through the use
of psychological theories as well as the dexterity in their
application to specific client problem situation
D.Other Social Support – other additional interpersonal
relationships that provide us with support
E.Social Environment Resources/Stressors – environmental
contexts that may either present opportunities or
limitations
F.Culture – client may belong to ethnic communities that has
direct influence on his identity

ASSESSMENT
—The major tasks during this stage:
1.information or data-gathering, and
2.problem definition or simply, theproblemfor-
work;
These tasks culminate in the worker’s
writing of an Assessment Statement or a
Problem Definition.
In the past, the terms used were “diagnosis”
or
 “social diagnosis.”
However, Assessment Statement appears in
most social work literature and seems to also
be the preferred term in the field of practice
today.
 1. Information/Data
SOURCEGatheringS OF DESCRIPTION
INFO.

Primary •Client systems (the condition and behavior is the main

concern ) source
Secondary •The “significant others” in the life of the client whom
he/she sources has personal relationshipwith Ex. parents, siblings,
relatives and friends, people in school, employment, church, and
organizations. •In communities: may be the staff of community agencies,
consultants previously involved in the community, etc.

Existingdata•Data or information previously collected by others

•Ex. records and reports from other professionals
(physicians, teachers, etc.) and social workers of other
agencies, studies (e.g., census data) and evaluations.
Worker’sown •Direct observation of client, or his/her interaction with
others.
observations. •In community: physical condition, the presence or
absence of basic amenities, facilities and resources, the
person-to-person and group-to-group interactions,etc.
Criteria in DecidingWhat Data or Information to
Record
I . Reliability-refers to the consistency of the data
2.Validity-concerns the effectiveness of the
measure/s used in getting the data
3.Sensitivity –answers the question:Will a measure
reflect changes that occur?
4.Utility-concerns the usefulness of the data for
meeting goals and objectives
5.Feasibility-factors in cost (time, effort, expense)
balanced against information provided
 6.Relevance-answers “Is the information relevant to
desired outcomes? Do the clients and significant
other consider the data relevant?
7.Norms-information about the typical (or average)
performance of a group ofindividuals
Principles in Data Gathering
PARSIMONY
—gathering important
information that are useful for
the client’s case.
—SWr collects only those data/
information that has relevance to
the situation at hand and is essential
to the formulation of valid working
judgments.
Principles in Data Gathering
Other important principles include:
1. The client should be the main source of information
although, when appropriate and available, other
sources should be used.
2. Data to be gathered should directly relate to the
identified problems.
3. The client should be informed about the source being
used for data collection. In certain cases, his
permission should be sought before certain kinds of
information are obtained.
4. Data collection is a continuous process, but it is the
collection, organization and synthesis of such data
 that is especially critical to the definition of the
problem and setting of goals.
5. The type of client and the general nature of the
problem can guide the worker on the type of data
that should be collected and how much.
The Initial Contact(s) withClient
1.The client initiates thecontact.
Ex. A client seeks burial assistance from their
CSWDO
2.The client is referred to the worker or
agency by some interested orconcerned
party — a relative, neighbor, teacher,
etc. Sometimes, persons referred by
others are merely forced to secure
help.They are called
“involuntary clients.”
Ex. Drug dependents, children in conflict with thelaw
3.The agency, through the social worker,
reaches out to the (potential)
clientand offers help.
Ex. Rescue of victims of humantrafficking
UsefulTools for Assessment
Ecological Map (Eco-map or eco-gram)
—developed in1975 by Dr. Ann
Hartmanwho is also credited with
creating the genogram.
—a simple paper-and-pencil simulation
that presents the individual or family and
the major systems in the life space, as well
as the nature of the individual’s or family’s
relationships with these various systems
—It is a diagram that shows the social
and personal relationships of an
individual with his or her
environment.
UsefulTools forAssessment
Genogram
—A graphical representation of a
person's family relationship and
history. I
—a unique type of family research
diagram. It records family
 members and their relationships
to each other.
• It also shows many of their
physical and physiological
attributes through an elaborate
system of symbols.
The IntakeProcess
—Process by which a potential client
achieves the status of a client.
—Marks the official start of the helping
relationship and may be accomplished in
one or more session with client.
—The intake process (undertaken thru
intake interview) may end either with
the worker or the client deciding not to
proceed, or the client committing to have
client status (however reluctantly) and
the worker committing the agency to
provide services (however limited). When
the latter occurs, an initial engagement
may be said to have taken place.
The Presenting Problem
—It is a problem that is a threat to the client’s or
others’ welfare, and usually stated or presented
as it is being perceived or experienced by the
client. It can be:
a.Symptoms (anxiety, lack ofmotivation)
b.Behavioral configurations (marital discord,poor
school performance,unemployment)
c.Needs (housing, money,etc).
—The client’s problem may be such that it
requires immediateaction.
—The client’s “presenting problem,” if it is the
problem or part of the problem that the client
 system feels is most important,mayserve asthe
problem-for-work.

2. Problem Definition
Problem for work in specific terms, means
any or all of the following :
a.the problem or part of the problem that
the
client system feels is most important or a
good beginningplace;
b. the problem or part of the problem that in
the worker’s judgment is most critical;
c.the problem or part of the problem that in
the
 worker’s judgment can most readily yield
to help;
d.the problem or part of the problem that falls
within the action parameters of the helping
system.
(Compton and Galaway,1994)
Steps in Definingthe “Problem”
1. Worker must recognize the client’s unmet
needs . (What the client lacks that is causing
theproblem?)
2. Worker must identify the blocks to
fulfillment (What is it about the client and
the client’s situation that prevents the
client’s need being fulfilled?)
3. Worker must determine the strength,
limitations, motivation for change, and
resistance to change that are applicable to
the client and the systems involved
Techniques in Problem Definition
1.Partialization
• Refers to the process of separating from so
many problems identified by the client
and/or worker the specific problem or
problems which are to become the focus
of the helping relationship.
2.Prioritization
• Problem taking precedence over other
problems because of its importance
• Identification of which problems need to
be addresses first, and consideration of
the problems in order of importance
Case Study
—After the necessary relevant
information pertaining to the client
and the problem have been
obtained/compiled, these information
are organized and synthesized and the
 worker prepares a Case Study (Social
Case Study Report).
—Recommended content:
a.identifying information on the client
b.problem definition
c.background information
d.assessment (statement)
e.Recommendations/intervention plans.
Recommended Content of a Case Study
1.Identifying Information
•Demographic information: age, sex,
ethnic group, current employment,
householdroles, marital status,etc.
•Referral information: referral source
(self or another), reason forreferral
•Data sources: interviews
withidentified persons (date and
persons), examinations and tests
performed, other dataused.
Recommended Content of a Case Study
2. Problem Definition/PresentingProblem
. Detailed description: problem, situation,
symptoms, precipitating factor, current feelings
and thoughts of the client, how s/he has coped,
to use the client’swords. . People involved:
manner of involvement, perceptions of the
problem, reactions to the problem, how they
have contributed to the problem or solution
. Past experiences: experiences similar to the current
difficulty, manner they were handled and
their consequences then
. Other Recent Problems: stressful life events that
have happened in the last year, manner they
were managed, the meaning of these to the
client.
Recommended Content of a Case Study
3.1 Background History
•DevelopmentalHistory
•Health Issues
•Family Background
•Previous Mental Health
•Marital/intimate Relationship History
•Cultural Background
•Education and/or VocationalTraining
•Employment History
•Use and Abuse of Alcohol or drugs
byself and family
3. 2 Current Situation
. Describe family or household: identify the members
of the household (names, ages), and relationship
(natural child, stepparent, sister), quality of
relationships, distribution of roles.
. Social network: extended family, friends, peer
groups,etc. . Guardian information: ifapplicable
. Economic situation: identify those working, nature
of employment, adequacy ofincome.
Identify economic needs and money management
practices
. Physical environment/housing: nature of living
circumstance and the neighborhood
. Significant issues, roles or activities: i.e.,
student,retired public or private employees,health.
4.Assessment/Analysis
—• Identify key issue or problem: compare your
perspective & client’s own perspective of his
problem; describe seriousness of the problem
•Describe client functioning effectiveness
•Identify contributing factor: thoughts
behaviors, personality issues and
circumstances that seen to contribute to the
problem, determine where factors reside
—Identify the strengths: sources of meaning, coping
ability and resources that can be mobilized to
help theclient
 •Identify stressors: obstacles, vulnerabilities,
andneeds •Assess client’s motivation and
potential to benefit from intervention
5.Recommendations/Treatment/Intervention
Plan •Worker’s own perception of the
client’s needs and problem alongside the
client’s own need and priorities
•Values of self-determination as well as
the
Client’s empowerment
•Description of problem areas and needs,
problem list (rank in priority order),
 strengths/ assets, obstacles, and goals
usually presented in a behaviorally
specific language.
Note: Improving social work recordingand
documentation is improving social work.
Writing anAssessment Statement

COMPONENTS OF AN
ASSESSMENT STATEMENT
(Mcmahon Maria,1990)
1.Opening causalstatement.
2.“Change
potential”statement.
 3.Judgment about the
seriousness or urgency of the
problem.
Writing an Assessment Statement
CHARACTERISTICS OF ASSESSMENT
1. It is ongoing.
2.It focuses on understanding the client in the situation
and in providing a base for planning and action.
3.It is a mutual process involving both client and
worker.
4.There is movement within the assessment process.
5.Both horizontal and vertical explorations are
important.
6.Assessment identifies needs in life situations, defines
problems and explains their meanings and patterns.
7.Assessment is individualized.
8.Judgment is important in assessment because many
decisions have to be made.
9.No assessment is evercomplete.
Other Tips for Writinga Case Study
1. Follow agency protocols and standards.
2. Apply social work professional writing.
3. Use clear descriptive words, use
behavioral terms
4. Indicate notes based on your
observations.
5. Employ appropriate tools
 6. Collect meaningful and relevant data
7. Cite the source of information.
8. Avoid making conclusive assessments
9. Organize data in a coherentstructure
10. Be consistent
II.PLANNING
• the link between Assessment & Intervention.
• It translates the content of assessment into a
goal statement that describes the desired
results, and is also concerned with identifying
the means to reach the goals.
• The end goal of planning is planned change.
Guided by social work values and a body of
knowledge, planning allows the worker, with
 the client‘s participation to move from
problem definition on to problem solution.
II.PLANNING
Two major tasks are involved in the
planning stage:

1. Goal setting - formulating goals

that directly relate to the client‘s need
or problem, and

2. Planning interventions - defining the

specific actions or interventions that
 are necessary in order to achieve the
goals.
Goals
• Goals or helping goals give direction to the worker‘s
relationship with his/her clients.
• Goals are ends. They are the desired or expected
outcomes of an endeavor. In brief, goals are concerned
with solutions.
• Goals may relate, not just to the client, but to the
other persons or social systems that are involved in
the situation.

Goals should have the following characteristics:

1.Specific,concrete & measurable,feasible =
Realistic &Attainable
 The HelpingContract
• In social work parlance, the helping contract sets the
expectations and terms of the commitments and
obligations of both client and worker, which are often
clearly spelled out.
• A contract with a client is a simplified version of the
Plan of Action (which represents the worker‘s thinking
and is really more for her use). It includes a problem
statement, goals and objectives, a specification of tasks
to be carried our by worker and client and the time
frame required.
• Can be written or verbal agreements/contracts
• Contracts facilitate evaluation and provide tools for
accountability
PLANS
• Also referred to as Helping Plan, Action Plan,
or an Intervention Plan
• the means to achieve the goals (or ends).
• consist of specific actions or steps to be
undertaken in order to reach the goals.
• Jointly made by the worker and the client
• This is arrived at in the same way one arrives
at problem and goal definition,
i.e., by the worker considering not only her
own expectations but also, those of the client‘s
and significant others in his environment.
PLANS
UNITS OF ATTENTION
• Other systems that are the focus of
the change activity.
• Other persons who, in addition to
the client, have to be given
attention also because they are
involved in the situation, and work
with them is essential to goal
attainment.
PLANS
STRATEGY
• Is defined as ―an overall approach to change a
situation.
 • It implies orchestrated action that involves different
entities, each having a role to play in order to achieve
the defined goals.
• There‘s a variety of approaches to practice, called
theories of practice or models of practice. These
provide an overall approach to practice and therefore
may be considered as strategies.
— Note: The social worker can choose one or more of
these models and approaches as his/her helping “strategy”
III. INTERVENTION

´Action plan implementations, treatment are other

terms for intervention
´This phase is concerned with the action that would
solve the client’s problems
´Involves the rendering of all the specific and
interrelated services appropriate to the given
problem situation in the light of assessment and
planning (Mendoza,
2008:221; Boehm, 1959:53)
CARRYING OUT THE INTERVENTION PLAN
 Involves the following processes at all levels of implementation (micro,
mezzo, and macro):

 Monitoring progress
 Revising as necessary the established plan
 Completing the established plan

 Requires application of broad range of as well as special knowledge, skills,

and techniques in intervention

 Doing the decided

 Rendering all the specific and interrelated services appropriate to the clients
problem situtaion based on the assessment and planning that have been
undertaken.

Interventive Roles in Direct Practice

(Mendoza, 2008)

´The social worker’s problem solving efforts will

require a variety of interventive roles, which refer
to the composite activities, or tasks that she is
expected to undertake in order to accomplish the
goals agreed upon with the client.
Resources Provider
 Direct provision of material aid and other concrete resources that will
be useful in elimination or reducing situational deficiencies.
 A social work activity that should not be equated with “dole out”
(alms, giving out of money, goods usually out of charity)
 Direct provision in any form of material aid in social work is always
preceded by a careful evaluation of client need and most appropriate
ways by which it can be met.
 Not limited to money or goods but other concrete services that are
necessary in order to achieve the helping goals for the client.

Social Broker
 A process of negotiating the service jungle for clients whether singly or
in groups.
 Worker connects or links the clients to needed services in the
community.
 Performs variety of activities to ensure effective services delivery.
 Helper, interpreter, facilitator, escort, negotiator
 Role requires a broad knowledge of community resources as well as
knowledge of the operating procedures of agencies so that effective
connections can be made.
 Mediator
 A person who acts as an intermediary or conciliator between 2 persons or
sides.
 Engages in effort that will resolve disputes between the client system and
the other parties.
 Use techniques to bring about a convergence of the perceived values of
both parties to the conflict.

Advocate
 Works to take partisan interest in the client and his cause. She cannot
remain neutral.
 Objective is to influence in the client’s interest another party usually
possessing the same power or authority over the client.
 The advocate will argue debate, bargain, negotiate and manipulate the
environment on behalf of the client.
 Direct confrontation, administrative appeal and the use of judicial and
political as appropriate.
 Counselor/Therapist

 Goal is the restoration, maintenance, or enhancement of the

client’s capacity to adapt or adjust to his current reality.
 Premised on the belief that there are client problems which are
caused not much by situational factors or factors in the client
himself, such as:
´Wrong attitudes
´Low self esteem
´Limited use of knowledge, and
´Lack of self-understanding
´Worker is called upon to engage in a case to case approach to problem
solving to benefit the client.
 IV. EVALUATION
´The collection of data outcomes of a program of
action relative to goals and objectives set
advance of the
implementation of that program (Mendoza,
2008:240; Johnson, 1994, 385)
´Is a continual process where the worker keeps on
gathering data which she uses in an ongoing
evaluation (Compton and
Galway, 1994, 550)
Evaluation is directed toward the following:
´Measuring the outcomes of programs or specific
interventions
´Measuring the change processes or the nature of
intervention themselves
´Utilizing a research design that will permit to attribute the
outcome to the change processes
´Summative evaluation – concerned with outcomes or
effectiveness
´Formative evaluation - concerned with looking at the processes
of the work. Forces worker to find out whether the intervention
plan is being implemented as designed.
V. TERMINATION
 The following are the most common reasons for terminating the
client worker relationship:
 When the goal set by worker and the client have been reached.
 When, after a reasonable period of time, there has been very little movement
toward the attainment of the goals formulated, and the prospect for any
change in the situation is held unlikely.
 When the client thinks the worker has provided sufficient help so that it is
now possible for the client to pursue problem-solving on his own.
 When the agency does not have the resources needed by the client or the worker does
not get her agency’s approval to provide the services needed by the client.
 When the systems outside the client make it difficult for the client to continue with the
helping relationship or when these systems influence the client to discontinue the
relationship.
 When for one reason or another, the worker must leave the agency

COMPONENTS OF TERMINATION:
(Mendoza 2008: 254-259; Pincus and
Minahan, 1973)

´1. Disengagement
´2. Stabilization of change
´3. Evaluation
1. Disengagement- on the client’s part, the
following are among the most common reactions
that have identified:

´Denial- is a defense mechanism thatis employed to avoid

painful feelings.Manifested in such behaviors as ignoring
any discussion of termination; or not keeping
appointments after termination is discussed.
´Emotional reactions- fear of loss or fear of the unknown
can give rise to feelings of sadness or of grief. There
can also be anger expressed in verbal outbursts or
physically violent behavior directed toward the worker
and/or other significant systems.
´Bargaining- some clients try to negotiate an
extensions of time or a modified schedule
 which can mean fewer contacts over a longer
period with the worker.
´Depression – listlessness, little energy,
withdrawal, sadness, helplessness, despair,
absence of motivation to go on are
manifestations of depression.
´Acceptance – the client manifests an increase in
energy, and is able to talk about the bad times
and to think about the future.
2. Stabilization of Change

´The main test of a change agent’s help is the

stability and permanence of the client system’s
changed behavior when the change is no longer
actively working with the client.
´The worker’s main function during this phase
is to insure generalization and spread of a
change effort has been started.
3. Terminal Evaluation

 During the evaluation phase, evaluation is particularly important.

 It is the time for the worker and client- but particularly the worker
who has been the helping person, to appraise what have transpired,
 to focus on the goals formulated during the Planning phase, and of
course, on the problem that was identified during the Assessment
phase.
 Terminal evaluation should involve client participation. The client
review what has taken place, acknowledge improvement or change,
recognize his part in the process and understand how the lessons
learned may be transferred to life experiences after the
disengagement from the helping relationship.

SW HELPING MODELS
AND APPROACHES
DIRECT PROVISION MODEL
• Direct administration of existing programs of material
aid.
• Also known as resource provision
• GOAL: to enhance social functioning through direct
provision of material and useful in eliminating or
reducing situational deficiencies • Activities
1. Case by case involvement in study and evaluation
process
2. Determination of eligibility
3. Judgment that the provision of service promote client
service
INTERCESSION MEDIATION MODEL

• Process of negotiating service jungle for

clients, singly or groups
• Connects the client to need services, takes
partisan interest in client and his cause
• Activities: Argue, debate, bargain, negotiate,
manipulative environment in behalf of the
client
CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL

• Actively influencing the pyschosocial

functioning of individuals during acute
disequilibrium
• Crisis oriented
• Time-limited (2-6 week in duration)
• Should be available within 24-72 hours after
application or referral for assistance
 CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL

CRISIS – upset in steady state or disequilibrium

ELEMENTS:
1. Hazardous event / Precipitating Stress
2.Vulnerable or upset state
1. Precipitating factors or event
2. State of Crisis
3. State of reintegration or re-organization
 CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL
TREATMENT:
1. Material arrangement tasks – provision of concrete assistance/services
2. Psychosocial tasks – dealing with client feelings, doubts, anxieties

TECHNIQUES:
1. Sustaining techniques
2. Direct Influence
3. Direct intervention
4. Reflective discussion techniques

PROBLEM SOLVING APPROACH

• Person is being helped in relation to what is focused to be
stressful, to cope with the problem
ELEMENTS (Helen Harris Perlman)
• Person
• Problem
• Place
• Process
TASK CENTERED MODEL
• Alleviating specific target problems perceived by client
• Brief and time-limited
• Interventions focus on alleviating specific problems
• Work is organized around tasks

Features:
1. Assessment
2. Case Planning
3. Implementation
4. Tasks
 Task Centered Model with Groups:
1. Preliminary Interview
2.Group Composition
3.Group Formation
4. Group process for task accomplishments
PYSCHO-SOCIAL APPROACH
• PROCESS
1. Initial Phase
2. Assessment of client in his situation
3 types of Diagnosis
a. Dynamic – examination aspects of client’s
personality
b. Etiology – classify various aspects of client’s
functioning
c. Classificatory – classifying based on personality
disturbance
3. Treatment
a. Indirect – environment of client, modifying client
situation
b. Direct - client
PYSCHO-SOCIAL APPROACH
• Organismic approach
• Concerned both the inner realities of human beings and social context in
which they live
• Helped in the context of interactions in the internal and external worlds
• Worker engage in fact-gathering and come with professional opinion called
DIAGNOSIS / TREATMENT

PROCEDURES:
1. Sustaining
2. Direct Influence
3. Catharsis and Ventilation
4. Reflective consideration
5.Encouragement of client to reflect on dynamics of his response patterns or
tendencies
6. Encouragement of client to think about the development of response patterns
or tendencies
FUNCTIONAL APPROACH
• A social casework method for engaging the client through a
relationship essentially one-to-one the use of social services toward
his own and the general social welfare.
• The focus of intervention is the delivery of the social service(s)
• Emphasis on the use of agency function.
• Emphasis on giving and receiving help- the offer of service unites the
person with the skill of the worker and the function and services of
the agency
• The process includes the definition 0f the service being offered and
whether the client can use it
• Functional approach has particular applicability to the Philippines
because of countless social agencies servicing varied needs.
(Mendoza, 2008)
BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION
• Helping learn new behaviors and eliminating problematic ways of behaving
• PROCESS
1. Initial Phase
2. Implementation
3. Evaluation and Termination
4. Termination

Three elements of social learning essential to Behavior Modification:

Target Behavior – the behavior that will be the focus of the intervention; it is
important to know what behavior needs to be strengthened/increased or weakened
decreased in frequency, duration, or intensity.
Antecedent behavior – the behavior(s) and event(s) than occur prior to the
problem behavior
Consequent behavior – the behavior(s) and event(s) that occur after the problem
behavior
 BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION
• SW Roles
1.Direct modifier – agent of modification
2.Behavioral Instigator – worker influence
situation (reward system)
3.Teacher – teaches behavioral modification
FAMILY INTERVENTION
• FAMILY THERAPY – clinical approach designed to modify or
change elements of family relationship system
• Family focused
• Process of achieving better child and family well being outcomes
• Approach to child welfare SW in which family seen as the primary
unit of attention
• Safety of the child is the first concern and family is the fundamental
resource for nurturing children.

• PROCESS:
1. Identification of problem
2.Treatment Planning stage
3.Evaluation and Termination
OTHER TECHNIQUES USED
IN CASEWORK
 Four Major Casework
Processes/Techniques
(Florence Hollis)

´Environmental Modification
´Psychological Support
´Clarification
´Insight Development
´ Environmental Modification
´ The steps taken by the caseworker to
change the environment in the client’s
favor by the worker’s direct action.
´ Psychological Support
 Encouraging the client to talk freely and
express his feelings;
 Expressing sympathetic understanding of the
client’s feelings and acceptance of his behavior
 Interest in the client
 Desire to help
 Expression of confidence in the client’s ability
to solve his difficulty, to make his own
decisions
 Direct encouragement of attitudes that will
enable the client to function more realistically
as well as more comfortably
 Clarification
 Usually accompanying psychological support, the
dominant tone is understanding by the client of
himself, his environment, and/or people with whom
is associated
 It is directed towards increasing the ego’s ability to
see the external realities more clearly and to
understand the client’s own emotions, attitudes and
behavior
 Sometimes, the worker makes direct interpretations
concerning effect or significance of client’s actions
 Always, the effort is to help the client think, more
clearly, to react more realistically, and to plan more
wisely.
 Insight Development
 This involves carrying understanding than that
described in clarification
 Current and past emotions must be re-lived in a
therapeutic atmosphere in order that some of the
 effect may be discharged and in order that
irrationalities maybe brought clearly to the surface
that they can be recognized, at first in the safety of
the treatment situation and later in life.

Tools in Casework (Interviewing,

Recordings)

 Social work practice involves the use of

tools to facilitate the achievement of
the worker’s goals and objectives.

What is Interview?
 Interviewing involves communications
between two people and might be called
professional conversation.
 It is an art, a skilled technique that can be
improved and eventually perfected
primarily through continued practice.
(Garrett, 1942, Zaki&Mangold, 1972)
 An interview is a specialized form of
communication. It is a conversation with a
deliberate purpose, a purpose mutually
accepted by the participants (Kadushin,
1983)
 Interview is a primary tool of the social
worker. It is the structure for
operationalizing the interaction between
a worker and a client. Interviewing is an
art and a skill, and learning how to
interview is learned by doing it (Johnson,
1998)
 Interviewing is the main tool used in
social practice. It is a set of verbal and
non-verbal interaction which usually
starts between two people although three
or more may be participating towards the
end (de Guzman, 1983)
 Interviewing is a face to face meeting
between two or more person, directed
towards a purpose, such as to obtain
information, to give instruction, and to
help. It is both an art and a technique
which requires knowledge and skills
(Mendoza, 2008).

Objective/Purposes of
Interview:
´To obtain information
´To give help to individual
´To help individual arrive at the right
solution of his problem
´To know the goal for particular
interview.
´Primary objectives of
interviewing are to help people
explore their situation to
increase their understanding of
it and to
indentify client resources and
strengths
(Woodside &McClam, 2006)
´It is used specifically to extract
information, give therapy, resolve
disagreement, consider undertaking
(Brill, as cited by de Guzman, 198)
´The general purposes of social work
interviews can be described as
informational (to make a case study),
diagnostic (to arrive at an appraisal) and
therapeutic (to effect change).
(Kadushin, 1983)
THE INTERVIEW
PROCESS

´The Beginning
´The Middle
´The End
The Beginning

´Is a time to establish a common understanding

between the case manager and the applicant.
 ´The beginning is also the opportunity to
respond to any questions that the
applicant may have about the agency
and its services and policies

Important activities that may occur during

the stage:
´Greeting the client;
´Establishing the focus by discussing the
purpose;
´Clarifying roles;
´And exploring the problem that has
precipitated the application for services.
The Middle
 Is the continuation of the beginning process,
through sharing and considering feelings,
behaviors, events, and strengths.
 it is devoted to developing the focus of the
relationship between the case manager and the
applicant.
 Assessment, planning, and implementation also
take place at this time.
The End

´ A summary provides closure by describing what

has taken place during the interview and
identifying what will follow.

Thank You!!