CASEWORK

HELPING PROCESS
Patricia Rose D. Tabat, RSW
COMPONENTS OF CASEWORK
The 4Ps

01 PERSON
The Client 02 PROBLEM
an obstacle or a hindrance in
the normal functioning of an
individual.

03 PLACE
The social welfare
04 PROCESS
The helping process
agency followed by the
worker
 Evolution of Casework
Europe and US
● Friendly visitors of COS;
Settlement movement
● Social Diagnosis of Mary
Richmond

Philippines
● War times
● Hospital/Medical setting
● Residential setting
 Casework

a social work method and a process of

assisting the individual to examine and
work out his/her problem or situation;
entails face to face and individualized work
with clients
PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS
A progressive transaction between the professional helper and the
client, consisting of a series of problem-solving operations:
● facts that constitute and bear upon the problem must be
ascertained and grasped (Study).
● facts must be thought about, i.e. turned over, probed into, and
organized in the mind, examined in their relationships to one
another, searched for their significance (Diagnosis).
● 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 (Treatment).
 Origin of the
problem-solving framework
● John Dewey’s book, “How We
Think” (1933)—describes what goes
in the human mind when confronted
with a problem

● problem-solving behavior 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 or orderly
sequence of actions
 Origin of the
problem-solving framework

● George Polya (1940’s)—a

mathematics professor developed a
model, which he intended to be used
as a guide by any one engaged in
problem solving.
 Problem-Solving Process
(Helen Harris Perlman as the originator of this framework)
● Problem-solving is 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 work knowledge and skills to
effectively assist the clients in their respective difficulty or
problems.
 The social work problem solving process
is a progressive transaction between the
professional helper and the client
consisting of a series of problem solving
operations traditionally described as:
study, diagnosis, and treatment.
It is essentially a cognitive process, a rational procedure involving
a series of steps to be sequentially followed:
1. Recognition or definition of the problem and engagement with the
client system
2. Data collection
3. Assessment of the situation
4. Goal-setting and planning of action
5. Intervention or carrying out of action
6. Evaluation
7. Termination
STEPS/PHASES IN SOCIAL WORK HELPING PROCESS
Assessment BEGINNING PHASE
Planning

Intervention or
Plan MIDDLE PHASE
Implementation

Evaluation ENDING PHASE

Termination
The term ‘helping process’ specifies distinctly the element
of relationship as the moving force in effective
client-worker problem-solving effort.

The helping process puts much emphasis on the

client-worker relationship and the importance of the
latter in the problem-solving efforts.
Relationship Considerations Associated with the Problem-Solving Process
● The generic problem-solving approach involves ‘specific task
functions’ at each step simultaneously preceded by the
‘elements of relationships’ thus, focusing on relationship
building

● The element of relationship at each phase of the

problem-solving sequence must be highlighted together
with the worker’s personal attributes and professional style
of helping.
Components of Relationship
● Reality—realistic and objective perception of existing condition
● Transference—unconscious and not reality-based.
- A type of reaction—client’s 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;
- has both positive and negative significance to the client-worker
relationship

● Counter-transference—Unconscious and 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
 Generic Social Work Helping Process
Planning
Assessment
(Goal/
(Problem
objective-
identification)
setting
contracting)

Implementation
Termination
(Interventive roles of
(Positive or
social worker)
negative)

Evaluation
(Strengths and
weaknesses)
Activities in the Engagement Process

Secure client participation

Define the presenting problem

Establish preliminary client objectives

Activities in the Engagement Process

Negotiate preliminary agreement

(Date collection; Continuing to work together)

Discuss agency and client expectations

Decide how agency and worker can help

Activities in the Engagement Process

Offer agency and worker services to client

Orient client to the helping relationship

Complete any required paper work

 Engagement: Initial Interview
● Face to face conversation
● Sequence of physical and mental experiences

● Usually the first contact

● Critical tool for:
- communicating with the client
- collecting information

- determining eligibility
- developing and implementing plans
Objectives of Engagement (Initial Interview)
● Set context for working relationship
● Explore client’s difficulties
● Clarify expectations
● Establish/show rapport, trust,
● Warmth, genuineness
 Desired Outcomes (Initial Interview)
Client Worker
● Relaxed ● Readiness to engage
● Feels free to express self ● Role clarity
● Recognizes that problem exists ● Knowledge mastery
● Willing to be helped ● Skill competency
● Confident of a satisfactory ● Professional ethics
solution ● Positive agency image
● Priority to client interests
 ENGAGEMENT
• Intake happens during the first meeting with the client.
• Intake is the process by which a potential client achieves the
status of a client.
• Intake interview is like a question and answer session.
• Rapport must be established in the engagement process.

Rapport - the relationship between the social worker and client characterized by
mutual trust, respect, and understanding
Engagement Process (Intake Interview)
● Involve self
● Establish communication
● Formulate preliminary problem hypothesis
● Focus on building professional relationship:
- clear purpose
- commitment to meeting client’s needs
- ethical standards of practice
- demonstration of warmth, genuineness and empathy
● Elicit client’s expectation of the helping process
● Clarify nature of the helping relationship
● Clarify role expectations
 SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• Client - primary source of information
• Significant others - secondary source of information
• Existing data - records and reports from other professionals
• Worker's own observation
DATA COLLECTION
Principle of Parsimony - worker must collect only data or
information directly relevant to the situation at hand and
essential to the formulation of valid working judgments
DATA COLLECTION PRINCIPLES
• Client: primary source but not the only source
• Data collected should relate to the problem or issue
• Don’t acquire info if unwilling to share with client
• Inform client about info source
• Obtain client’s consent
• Get data after problem is identified
Other tasks of worker
● Establish communication with all concerned (Family members,
school, employer, friends, others)
● Create participative climate
● Understand client perceptions and expectations
- how client perceives the problem and situation
- what the client wants done
- what client thinks to be the solutions
● Define parameters of client-worker relationship
● Create initial working structure
● Get agreement to continue work together
 Assessment

It includes judgment
Assessment begins
about the strength
with a statement of
and limitations of the
the problem by the
individual in coping
client.
with the situation
ASSESSMENT
- A Process and a product of understanding on which action is
based,

- It involves a 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
 ASSESSMENT
identifying problem and needed resources to resolve it
- identification of presenting problem
- eligibility determination
- data gathering and analysis (client’s problem in relation to the
agency’s priorities)
- identifying possible actions and services
- identifying possible professionals involved in the case
management
- evaluation of the application for services
GOALS OF ASSESSMENT
• Understand need, problem or situation
• Recognize client’s strengths, assets, skills, abilities
• Describe the client system
• Understand client system’s interaction w/ other systems
• Identify all relevant info to understand the situation
• Pull all information together
- Make judgments (partializing and prioritizing)
- Choose best approach (from micro, mezzo, or macro
perspective or a combination of these)
ASSESSMENT
Professional judgment of client’s functioning
- based on theoretical knowledge
- observations and analytical skills
- evolving interactions with client

crucial to effective intervention with clients

“psychosocial assessment” - a more holistic, inclusive and comprehensive

view of the client
FOCUS OF ASSESSMENT
1. client’s problems and needs
2. client’s strengths

Client’s involvement is essential

Involves making judgments
- worker decides what is relevant or not
- worker prioritizes what is important to pursue
Involves strengths
Single problem definition may not exist
Continuous activity
 Assessment Perspectives
1. Focus on transactions (eco map, genogram)

- between and among client’s family members, friends,

and other systems in the immediate environment

- looking at the actual functioning of a family, its

strengths, culture and customs
Assessment Perspectives
2. Focus on functioning at different life cycle points / stages

- Potential problems that are related to maturational processes

- Each stage in the human cycle involves tasks, stresses, strengths,

and resources
Assessment Perspectives
3. Focus on specific problems encountered

- may include disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and

other behavioral problems;

- use of different approaches and instruments that are available in

assessing these areas
THE PRESENTING PROBLEM

What the client states May be described as symptoms

as a problem (i.e. anxiety, lack of motivation,, etc.)
TYPES OF PROBLEM

Interpersonal conflict Dissatisfaction in Problems with formal

individuals having social relations organizations
difficulty relating to
each other feeling unable to get
close to others
TYPES OF PROBLEM

Difficulties in role Problems of social Psychological and

performance transition behavioral problems
feeling inadequate in difficulty in handling major
playing one’s role change in life i.e., divorce,
having a baby, moving to a
new locale, etc.
TYPES OF PROBLEM

Inadequate resources Problem in Cultural conflicts

decision- making
discrimination
deprivation of basic emotional dilemmas, loss of and oppression
needs; lack of or objectivity, irrational by majority groups
unavailable resources choices due to crisis
or services situations
The Problem in 3 Frames of Reference

IMMEDIATE PROBLEM
client is most concerned about; causes the current
difficulty; client perceives the need for help

UNDERLYING PROBLEM
what created and tends to perpetuate the immediate
problem

WORKING PROBLEM
contributory factors that hinder both remedy and
prevention; must be dealt with if change is to take
place
 Techniques for problem definition

Prioritization Partialization
identifying which problem separating a specific problem
needs to be addressed first from other problems and
(order of importance) making it the focus of
client-worker attention

NOTE: Worker’s skills important in understanding and facilitating the

client’s realization of the real problem
Aling Nena approached me, looking very distressed. She
looked like she had been crying a lot. She told me her
neighbors suggested that she apply to our agency for
assistance. She said their eight-year-old son had been lying in
his coffin for six days. He died of pneumonia caused by
“sobrang laro sa ulan”. The boy is the second of their six
children. Her husband is unemployed due to illness. She
described how they had been trying to raise money for their
son’s burial expenses, but they have been able to raise only a
very small amount. Even the boy’s coffin is “utang” and the
funeral parlor has refused to give any more service unless this
is first settled.
 Recognize the client’s unmet needs
(What the client lacks that is causing the problem)

Identify the “blocks to need fulfillment”

(What prevents the client’s need from being fulfilled)

Determine client’s capacity to change

(Client’s strengths, limitations, motivation for change, and
resistance to change)
Biopsychosocial Assessment
● Biological Context
● Social Context
● Psychological Context
● Environmental Context
Biological Context
● current and past physical conditions
● genetic factors and health
● physical functioning
● state of health - illnesses, injuries,
● disabilities, and genetic abnormalities that produces stress on
the body
Social Context
● family or household
● cultures
● other social supports
● social environmental stressors and resources
● quality of relationships
● the nature of the interactions
● strength of the bonds
● sensitive family issues
Psychological Context
● This aspect is better understood
- with a clear grasp of the psychological theories
- dexterity in application to specific client problem
situation
 PLANNING
The link between assessment and intervention
 GOAL SETTING

The first step in the A goal is needed to Goal must be related to the
planning of the problem provide direction to the problem; stated clearly and
resolution is to set up the efforts of both worker precisely and not broad
goal. and the client.
 Characteristics of a Goal

1. Specific, concrete and measurable

- goals that are too broad or general are difficult to measure.
- It will be difficult for the worker to know whether the goals are
accomplished.

2. Feasible
- Goals should be realistic and attainable.
 2 Major
Tasks:

1 2
Formulate goals to Define specific actions
address client’s needs to achieve the goals

Clearly stated specific objectives can also be used

as indicators of success or failure to reach the goal.
General Goal: At the end of the three months, Pedro will
be able to undergo his medical treatment without
worrying about his medical expenses.

Objectives:
1. Pedro will be referred to the Malasakit Center to avail its services
such as financial assistance.
2. Pedro will get a phil health card/insurance to avail of the special
discounts for his dialysis sessions.
3. Pedro and his wife will have a stable source of income by continuing
their small business (selling fish). They will be given skills
enhancement trainings like food processing, deboning, and other
income-generating activities.
Identified objectives that indicate:
● Method of intervention
● Tasks and activities to be undertaken
● Staff responsible for implementation
● Target date for achieving objective
● Time frame for accomplishing the set goals
Intervention/Implementation
• Involves the rendering of all specific and interrelated
services appropriate to the given problem situation in
the light of assessment and planning.

• Skills include interviewing, recording, letter writing,

referrals to other agencies and services, and helping
the client to use personal and other resources.
Factors that affect the intervention

TIME SKILL ETHICS AGENCY’S

FUNCTION
Evaluation
● Determines if change effort was worthwhile
● Weighs outcomes as success or failure
● Determines extent of work success with client
- were goals achieved?
- how satisfied is the client with services?
● Aids in judging worker competence; effectiveness of methods,
theories, and perspectives used
● Explains why a particular outcome occurred
TWO TYPES OF EVALUATION
1. Formative evaluation
● monitors ongoing progress
● focuses on helping process not end product of help
● helps assess if anticipated progress is achieved

2. Summative evaluation
● checks if anticipated outcome has been achieved
● requires evaluation after completion of change process
● occurs at the end of the process
 Termination
• The ending or limiting of a process that started when the agency agreed to enter
the interventive process aimed at delivering a service to a client with a problem.

• A time when the client can look back with satisfaction on what has been
accomplished.

• Signals that the worker has confidence in the client’s ability to learn to cope with
situations and grow.
 Goals are achieved

Very little attainment of goals

Reasons for Sufficient help has been extended

Termination: The agency does not have resources

When the system outside the client make it difficult

for the client to continue with the helping relationship.

When the worker leaves the agency

Common Reactions to Termination

Emotional
Denial Bargaining
Reaction

Depression Acceptance
 THANKS
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