Tools of Social Case Work

Introduction

Let's discuss tools of Social Case Work- Casework is the oldest social work practice for resolving individual problems and enhancing social relationships. Caseworkers have traditionally cared more for their clients than other types of social workers. The natural response of one person to another in the face of a need that cannot be supplied alone is the foundation of casework. As a result, social workers who are involved in aiding relationships require training, as well as the acquisition of skills and strategies that will provide them with professional knowledge and expertise in assisting their clients. Casework is primarily an artistic endeavour. Little can be accomplished unless the first contact with the individual who needs assistance aids in the formation of a relationship that can be maintained throughout the casework process. Interviews and home visits can be used to obtain information, diagnose problems, and design intervention methods. These are the tools that caseworkers frequently use. Interviews and home visits are frequently followed by recording, which reflects the discussions held with the client.

Interviewing 

The interview is the most significant and widely used social work tool for providing direct support to clients. It's the framework for putting a worker's engagement with a client into words. It is an art that is applied in many ways based on the caseworker's abilities. A face-to-face talk between a social worker and a client is referred to as a casework interview. It is an intentional and professional activity on the social worker's side. Informational (social studies interview), diagnostic (to get at an appraisal), and therapeutic (to arrive at a treatment plan) are some of the general goals of conducting interviews (to effect change). The Social Study Interview is a selective collection of life history material related to the client's social functioning. The information enables the worker to understand the customer in connection to his/her environment.

1. Social study interview-iagnostic (to arrive at an appraisal), and therapeutic (to effect change). Social Study Interview is a selective gathering of life history material related to social functioning of the client. The information enables the worker to understand the client in relation to his/her environment.
2. Diagnostic Decision Making Interview- is focused on evaluating and determining whether or not a person is eligible for a service. These interviews aid in the making of specific administrative decisions. For example, a child welfare worker may interview a foster care or adoptive parent to see if the child should be placed with them. This interview gathers selective information to help the agency decide what to do in the best interests of the child.
3. Therapeutic Interview -seeks to make a difference in the client's social circumstances, personality, or both. The goal is for the client's social functioning to improve as a result of the therapy improvements.

The worker tries to explain the aim of the interview or recalls plans made in a previous session during the initial step. A conversation with the customer is held to plan the interview's objective and requirements. 

The worker and the client enter the intermediate phase when they agree on the task to be done. The worker must retain a sense of timing that is in sync with the client's work pace and refocus if the material deviates from the task, or renegotiate the purpose if necessary. In order for the interview to be successful, the worker must also keep an eye on the communication. 

When the interview's goal has been achieved, the last step is reached. When the interview comes to a close, the worker recounts what occurred during the interview and how it relates to the service being provided. Together, the worker and the client plan the next steps, which will involve work that each of them must complete before the next interview. 

Recording 

In social work, the recording has always been a critical component. Because the caseworker must become intimately acquainted with a large number of clients, it is critical that interviews and facts be recorded in such a way that the specific client, with all of his or her unique characteristics, is remembered. The records are used for a variety of purposes, some of which are listed below.

• Documentation of social work activity-Case records gives an ongoing picture of the nature of social work participation with the client, as well as progress toward reaching social work objectives and outcomes. 
• Service continuity- When a client calls a social work agency, the entire setting provides the service. If a specific employee is unavailable, the agency must be able to continue where he or she left off. This would only be possible with the aid of a record.
•  Quality control- Reviewing written records that offer a picture of social work activity can reveal the quality and quantity of services being provided. Record review can also be used to examine the type and quality of services provided by a caseworker, as well as identify areas of strength and weakness where staff may require in-service training to improve their abilities.
• Case records are utilized as sources of data by social work agencies on a regular basis to explain agency actions, seek and keep financing, substantiate the need for additional employees, and plan programs.
•  Organizing the worker's thoughts- Recording gives factual data and observations, which can lead to a more thorough diagnostic assessment and treatment plan. 6. Inter-disciplinary communication—In a team approach to therapy, the recording provides a way to transmit social-diagnostic information and recommendations to other specialists who may be involved with the client. 
• Teaching and research- Properly kept case records could serve as a framework for reciprocal evaluation of practice skills and the teaching of new or refined procedures. For the professional researcher seeking data on various groups of clients and the challenges they experience, case records include a wealth of information.