Caseworker

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In social work, a caseworker is not a social worker but is employed by a government agency, nonprofit organization, or another group to take on the cases of individuals and provide them with advocacy, information and solutions. Also, in political arenas, caseworkers are employed as a type of legislative staffer by legislators to provide service to their constituents such as dealing with individual or family concerns. A social worker who works as a caseworker obtains social casework education and training naturally through their compulsory degree works. In social work, casework means to engage a client in learning their situation, to build a suitable plan of action, and helping the client to solve their problems through client commitment and use of their own and community resources, the coordinated service is called case management. [1] British MPs and members of the United States Congress often provide constituent services through caseworkers for better use of their allotted funds.

Contents

History of the term

The history of social casework is closely tied to the advent of social work as a general professional discipline. In the late nineteenth century, the formation of the Charity Organization Society, and the Settlement movement represented the beginning of efforts towards alleviating industrial poverty. [2] While social casework was a primary method of intervention, it was not until Mary Richmond published Social Diagnosis in 1917 that a formal definition for social casework began to formulate. [3] In Social Diagnosis, Richmond advocated for working with clients, rather than on them, and for gaining "sympathetic understanding of the old world backgrounds from which the client came" in lieu of making generalizations or assumptions. [4] The term social diagnosis came to refer to "a systematic way for helping professionals to gather information and study client problems" based on each client's unique background, problems, and individualized needs. [4]

Social casework

Social casework is the method employed by social workers to help individuals find solutions to problems of social adjustment that are difficult for individuals to navigate on their own. [5]

Social casework is a primary approach and a method of social work, concerned with the adjustment and development of the individual and, in some instances, couples for leading them as a unit towards more satisfying human relations. In social casework, the relationship between a caseworker and their client is one of support, focused on "enabling an individual in solving a problem through self-efforts." [6] The social casework relationship is a dynamic interaction of attitudes and emotions between the social caseworker and the client with the purpose of satisfying the clients psychosocial needs to achieve a better intrapersonal (interactions and transactions) adjustment within their respective environment. [7] Psychosocial assessment is a key tool used in casework; it is the initial assessment of a client's current, relevant past, and an inquiry to possible future modes of adaptation in both stressful situations and normal living situations. Problem solving is the intent behind every social casework process; the caseworker doesn't solve the problem for the client, but helps the person in the situation to be equipped in solving or facing the problem adequately within the individual's weaknesses and strengths to the end of overall development. [8]

Principles in social casework

There are seven principles in a casework relationship. They are: [9]

  1. Recognizing individualistion and uniqueness of the client.
  2. Recognition of purposeful expression of clients feelings.
  3. Controlled emotional response with sensitivity to clients' transference and its meaning and function.
  4. Complete acceptance of clients for realistic problem solving.
  5. Maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude towards the client and the underlying causative factors, while employing a consequentialist approach to modify the attitudes, standards, and actions of the clients in order to facilitate effective changes in their present and future.
  6. Recognizing and motivating clients' self-determination, the freedom of making their own choices and decisions to see and use appropriate resources for their problems, and using positive and constructive self-direction.
  7. Confidentiality about client details for effective casework service, and sharing of information only with client's consent for providing an integrative agency service.

Values in social casework

The social casework profession is focused on one primary goal: "to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty." Values maintained in casework are: [10]

  1. Every individual has inherent worth and dignity.
  2. Every individual has the right to self-determination.
  3. Every individual is the primary concern of society, has potential for and the right to growth.
  4. Every individual, in turn, has to contribute to the society's development by assuming his social responsibility.
  5. The individual and society in which one lives are interdependent.
  6. Basic human needs have to be met by services which are not dependent upon in accord either to moral behaviour or to race, nationality, or caste.

Stages in social casework process

The stages are:[ citation needed ]

Case management

Social work case management is a process of linking clients to services that enhance their functional capacity, from assessment to comprehensive intervention for equitable client care. [11] According to NASW (1984) "Case management is a mechanism for ensuring a comprehensive program that will meet an individual's need for care by coordinating and linking components of a service delivery system." It is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual's health needs through communication and provision of available resources to promote qualitative cost effective outcomes. [12] Here, health needs are within the social model of health which includes addressing the social and environmental determinants of health-the psycho-social, recreational, cultural and language needs in tandem with physical/biological and medical factors. These needs are defined by a problem's context, formulation, and definition. [13]

Case management has alternatively been known as "service coordination" or "care coordination" since the late 1980s. Care coordination is defined by NASW as "a client-centered, assessment based, interdisciplinary approach to integrating health care and psychosocial support services in which a care coordinator develops and implements a comprehensive care plan that addresses the client's needs, strengths, and goals." [14] There are two types of case management one is based on objective aims of the service organization and the other is dependent on the individual or group who benefits the service. Case management differs from one setting to another depending upon the policies, tolerance and objectives however efficiency in services is a common element. [11] An element that affects efficiency is caseloads. Department of Children and Families, United States recommended no more than 12–15 open/active cases and 8–10 new referrals per month when it comes to caseload and efficient management of workload. This allocation of caseload management showed 90% efficiency in services and quality of practice by Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), 2009. A general work load hours that takes for Case management is 3.30 hrs in which 1.45 hrs takes for case intake; Traditional individual – family assessment takes 3.45 hrs – 12.45 hrs as per Minnesota Workload Analytics for evidence based stabilizing and strengthening the workforce. To increase handling caseloads over-hiring and expanding employee benefits is a practice used by social services. A survey done by the Arizona's Department of Economic Security showed increasing caseload size above 35 cases per caseworker a month attracted repeated maltreatment reports and the ideal clients per case manager ratio suggested is 10:1. To reduce the caseload size they focused on expanding prevention services which showed a positive effect. [15] The larger the caseload, the less direct care there will be, and the services will tend to be more reactive to presented needs or simply brokerage services and crisis management. They won't be anticipatory and proactive. [16] Before the 2000s, an ideal estimate for caseload sizes in child welfare cases was typically fewer than twenty. For chronic psychiatric cases, it ranged from fifteen to thirty, and in some cases, it could go as high as 40 to 50 or even more. The actual caseload size depended on several factors, such as the client's specific needs, how often they required assistance, the number of staff available, how far apart the clients were geographically, whether services were provided at home or an agency, and other similar factors. Additionally, it varied based on the type of program, the established processes within the agency, the agency's size or stage of development, and how well duties were delegated within a Case Management team. [17] Case management is a part of direct social work practice, it involves development and implementation of the case plan and administration of case management systems for effective service delivery. This makes the case manager involve in resource development, service management, lean leadership, cost control, resource distribution, and use of authority. Due to the resource control aspect a Case manager's activity is also known as service management. [18]

The generic phases of case management are similar to the casework process: [19]

Tasks of case management include: [20]

In case management practice there are different models used:

  1. Case management – Assessment, monitoring, referral and coordination plus direct service role.
  2. Case monitoring model – Assessment, monitoring, referral and coordination only.
  3. Brokerage – Assessment, sub-contract/support services, monitor outcomes.
  4. Advocacy – Assessment, advocate for services, monitor outcomes.
  5. Managerial case management – Reviewing assessment and management plans submitted by caseworkers, monitoring costs, authorizing expenditure.

Multicultural prevalence and acceptability

Caseworkers are employed by a large number of organizations in Britain, especially in the voluntary and public sectors. In the United States, most government agencies that provide social services to children in poor or troubled families have a staff of caseworkers, each of whom is assigned a proportion of the cases under review at any given time. In Australia, caseworkers may be assigned to work in child protection, drug and alcohol services or community health organizations. As of 2004, there were approximately 876,000 child welfare caseworkers in the United States. Seventy-two percent are women, and the mean salary for all caseworkers was $64,590. [21] [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

Social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Social work practice draws from areas such as psychology, sociology, health, political science, community development, law, and economics to engage with systems and policies, conduct assessments, develop interventions, and enhance social functioning and responsibility. The ultimate goals of social work include the improvement of people's lives, alleviation of biopsychosocial concerns, empowerment of individuals and communities, and the achievement of social justice.

Medical social work is a sub-discipline of social work that addresses social components of medicine. Medical social workers typically work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, community health agency, skilled nursing facility, long-term care facility or hospice. They work with patients and their families in need of psychosocial help. Medical social workers assess the psychosocial functioning of patients and families and intervene as necessary. The role of a medical social worker is to "restore balance in an individual’s personal, family and social life, in order to help that person maintain or recover his/her health and strengthen his/her ability to adapt and reintegrate into society." Interventions may include connecting patients and families to necessary resources and support in the community such as preventive care; providing psychotherapy, supportive counseling, or grief counseling; or helping a patient to expand and strengthen their network of social supports. In short, a medical social worker provides services in three domains: intake and psychosocial assessment, case management and supportive therapy, and discharge planning and ongoing care that extends after hospitalization. They are also involved in patient and staff education, as well as with policy research for health programs. Professionals in this field typically work with other disciplines such as medicine, nursing, physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapy.

School social work is a specialized area of social work concerned with the psychosocial functioning of students to promote and maintain their health and well-being while assisting students to access their academic potential. The School Social Work Association of America defines school social workers as "trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nursing process</span>

The nursing process is a modified scientific method which is a fundamental part of nursing practices in many countries around the world. Nursing practise was first described as a four-stage nursing process by Ida Jean Orlando in 1958. It should not be confused with nursing theories or health informatics. The diagnosis phase was added later.

A nursing care plan provides direction on the type of nursing care the individual/family/community may need. The main focus of a nursing care plan is to facilitate standardised, evidence-based and holistic care. Nursing care plans have been used for quite a number of years for human purposes and are now also getting used in the veterinary profession. A care plan includes the following components: assessment, diagnosis, expected outcomes, interventions, rationale and evaluation.

The psychosocial approach looks at individuals in the context of the combined influence that psychological factors and the surrounding social environment have on their physical and mental wellness and their ability to function. This approach is used in a broad range of helping professions in health and social care settings as well as by medical and social science researchers.

Home health is a nursing specialty in which nurses provide multidimensional home care to patients of all ages. Home health care is a cost efficient way to deliver quality care in the convenience of the client's home. Home health nurses create care plans to achieve goals based on the client's diagnosis. These plans can include preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative actions. Home health nurses also supervise certified nursing assistants. The professional nursing organization for home health nurses is the Home Healthcare Nurses Association (HHNA). Home health care is intended for clients that are well enough to be discharged home, but still require skilled nursing personnel to assess, initiate and oversee nursing interventions.

Medical case management is a collaborative process that facilitates recommended treatment plans to assure the appropriate medical care is provided to disabled, ill or injured individuals. It is a role frequently overseen by patient advocates.

A mental health professional is a health care practitioner or social and human services provider who offers services for the purpose of improving an individual's mental health or to treat mental disorders. This broad category was developed as a name for community personnel who worked in the new community mental health agencies begun in the 1970s to assist individuals moving from state hospitals, to prevent admissions, and to provide support in homes, jobs, education, and community. These individuals were the forefront brigade to develop the community programs, which today may be referred to by names such as supported housing, psychiatric rehabilitation, supported or transitional employment, sheltered workshops, supported education, daily living skills, affirmative industries, dual diagnosis treatment, individual and family psychoeducation, adult day care, foster care, family services and mental health counseling.

Red Cross and similar corps of social work organizations shaped military social work. Role of military social workers were important during the World Wars. Over one million soldiers were admitted to American Army hospitals for neuro-psychiatric problems in each wars. Commissioned status for social workers were achieved in 1945 but full status were given in the 1950s.

Case management is a managed care technique within the health care coverage system of the United States. It involves an integrated system that manages the delivery of comprehensive healthcare services for enrolled patients. Case managers are employed in almost every aspect of health care and these employ different approaches in the control of clinical actions.

Geriatric care management is the process of planning and coordinating care of the elderly and others with physical and/or mental impairments to meet their long term care needs, improve their quality of life, and maintain their independence for as long as possible. It entails working with persons of old age and their families in managing, rendering and referring various types of health and social care services. Geriatric care managers accomplish this by combining a working knowledge of health and psychology, human development, family dynamics, public and private resources as well as funding sources, while advocating for their clients throughout the continuum of care. For example, they may assist families of older adults and others with chronic needs such as those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.

Psychiatric rehabilitation, also known as psych social rehabilitation, and sometimes simplified to psych rehab by providers, is the process of restoration of community functioning and well-being of an individual diagnosed in mental health or emotional disorder and who may be considered to have a psychiatric disability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forensic social work</span> Social work as applied to the law

Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to the law and legal systems. It is a type of social work that involves the application of social work principles and practices in legal, criminal, and civil contexts. It is a specialized branch of social work that focuses on the intersection of law and mental health. Forensic social work is an important part of the criminal justice system and provides an important link between mental health and the legal system.

Case management is the coordination of community-based services by a professional or team to provide quality mental health care customized accordingly to individual patients' setbacks or persistent challenges and aid them to their recovery. Case management seeks to reduce hospitalizations and support individuals' recovery through an approach that considers each person's overall biopsychosocial needs without making disadvantageous economic costs. As a result, care coordination includes traditional mental health services but may also encompass primary healthcare, housing, transportation, employment, social relationships, and community participation. In the 1940s, this was known as social counseling. It is the link between the client and care delivery system.

Advanced case management (ACM), also known as dynamic case management or adaptive case management, refers to the coordination of a service request in finance, health, legal, citizen or human resources-related matters, on behalf of a subject such as a customer, a citizen, or an employee. According to British company Insight 2 Value, ACM "offers the ability to monitor, update, understand and interpret every piece of work as it is processed, enhancing both efficiency and security and providing a smarter, more integrated way to handle increasingly complex caseloads and shrinking resources."

A Mental Health Nurse (MHN) refers to a psychiatric nurse in the UK, who specializes in the care of patients with mental health issues.

Disaster social work is the practice of social work during natural disasters. This field specializes in strengthening individuals and communities in the wake of a natural disaster. It includes working with the most vulnerable members of a community while strengthening the community as a whole in order to help with the recovery process.

Under normal circumstances, the United States child welfare systems is considered by experts to be underfunded and strains social workers with high case loads. However, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. experienced an unprecedented lockdown and national unemployment reached a record high. This presents an issue because it is recorded that during times of economic stress, child abuse skyrockets.

Clinical social work is a specialty within the broader profession of social work. The American Board of Clinical Social Work (ABCSW) defines clinical social work as "a healthcare profession based on theories and methods of prevention and treatment in providing mental-health/healthcare services, with special focus on behavioral and bio-psychosocial problems and disorders". The National Association of Social Workers defines clinical social work as "a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances. Individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities". Clinical social work applies social work theory and knowledge drawn from human biology, the social sciences, and the behavioral sciences.

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, Emmanuel Janagan; Huggins, Camille L. (2019-10-11). Social Casework Methodology: A Skills Handbook for the Caribbean Human Services Worker. Springer Nature. ISBN   978-3-030-27319-4.
  2. ↑ "Open Collections Program: Immigration to the US, Settlement House Movement". ocp.hul.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
  3. ↑ Theories of social casework . Towle, Charlotte., Roberts, Robert W.,, Nee, Robert H.,, University of Chicago. School of Social Service Administration. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 1970. ISBN   0226721051. OCLC   137855.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. 1 2 Marianne., Woodside (2006). Generalist case management : a method of human service delivery. McClam, Tricia. (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. ISBN   049500488X. OCLC   62162050.
  5. ↑ Florence Hollis, 1954
  6. ↑ "Introduction to Social Casework: Historical Development" (PDF). Indira Gandhi National Open University.
  7. ↑ Virginia Robinson, A Changing Psychology in Social Case Work, 1939
  8. ↑ Helen Harris Perlman, Social Casework: A Problem-Solving Process, 1957
  9. ↑ Biestek, Felix Paul (1957). The Casework Relationship. Chicago, Illinois: Loyola University Press. pp. 17+. ISBN   978-0-415-08391-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  10. ↑ Dhawan, Nitesh (2015). Social Work for UGC NET Paper II (Core). McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited. pp. 11+. ISBN   978-93-329-0119-3.
  11. 1 2 Marianne R. Woodside; Tricia McClam (2016). Generalist Case Management: A Method of Human Service Delivery. Cengage Learning. pp. 7–8. ISBN   978-1-337-51566-5.
  12. ↑ National Standards of Practice for Case Management, cmsa.org.au
  13. ↑ "What Is Case Management". www.cmsa.org.au. Case Management Society of Australia. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  14. ↑ "Social Work & Care Coordination" (PDF). NASW. February 22, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-22.
  15. ↑ Child Welfare Information Gateway
  16. ↑ Simon Davis (2013). Community Mental Health in Canada, Revised and Expanded Edition: Theory, Policy, and Practice. UBC Press. p. 249. ISBN   978-0-7748-2700-3.
  17. ↑ Rothman, Jack; Sager, Jon Simon (1998). Case Management: Integrating Individual and Community Practice (Second ed.). Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon. pp. 252–253. ISBN   978-0-205-26568-8.
  18. ↑ Betsy Vourlekis; Roberta R. Greene (5 July 2017). Social Work Case Management. Taylor & Francis. pp. 182–190. ISBN   978-1-351-48933-1.
  19. ↑ "Human Services Manual, NSW Government" (PDF).
  20. ↑ Frankel, Arthur J.; Gelman, Sheldon R.; Diane K., Pastor (2011). Case Management, Third Edition: An Introduction to Concepts and Skills. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN   9780190858902.
  21. ↑ The Unsolved Challenge of System Reform p. 41
  22. ↑ "Foster Care: Voices from the Inside" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2012.

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