sample case study for social work

2024 Social Work Case Planning Guide – What You Need | Examples & Studies

Ultimate Guide on Social Casework with Social Work Case Studies Examples

2024 Guide on Case Work in Social Work & Social Case Work Examples

This case work and case planning social work guide has been published to equip social workers to empower individuals and promote positive change through social casework.

We will explore what is social case work, the models and theories of social case work, social work case studies, and real-life social work case examples, providing a comprehensive understanding of its impact on individuals, families, and communities.

Introduction to Social Case Work – What is Case Work in Social Work?

Social work case planning serves as a crucial framework for addressing multifaceted human issues and fostering meaningful transformation in the lives of individuals. By examining the tools of social case work, social workers gather comprehensive information, analyze situations, and design effective interventions.

See Also: Case Worker Guide | Social Worker vs Caseworker

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Table of Contents: Casework in Social Work

Keep on scrolling down this page to read each section or click any link below to go directly to that section.

• What is social case work Mary Richmond Definition?
• What are the Core Values of Social Case Work?

Theories and Models of Social Case Work

Essential Skills of Social Case Work Practitioners

• Techniques & Tools of Social Case Work

Social Work Case Notes Example

Social Work Caseload Template

Case Summary Example Social Work

• Social Case Work Examples
• Case Study Format Social Work

Purpose of Social Work Case Study Template & Social Work Case Study Format

• Social Work Case Studies Examples
• Conclusion | Case Work in Social Work
• FAQ | Case Planning Social Work

What better way to start than by answering the questions: “What is social case work?” and “What is case work in social work?” Read on, and get your answers below.

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Introduction to Social Case Work | What is Casework in Social Work?

So, what is case work in social work exactly?

Social casework is a specialized field within social work that focuses on assisting individuals, families, and groups in overcoming challenges and achieving positive change in their lives.

By building a strong therapeutic relationship with clients, social casework practitioners employ assessments, interventions, and support to enhance well-being and promote social functioning.

Social work casework recognizes the interconnectedness of personal, social, and environmental factors in individuals’ lives. To stay on top of all your clients and cases, take a moment to check out our social work casework software.

This All-in-One social work case work software comes equipped with assessments, social work case note example templates, intakes, letter templates, and much more.

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What is social case work Mary Richmond definition?

Mary Richmond is considered a pioneer in the field of social work and is best known for her contributions to the development of social case work.

In her seminal book “ Social Diagnosis ,” published in 1917, Richmond provides a definition of social case work that remains relevant today.

What is the definition of social case work Mary Richmond provided?

According to Richmond, social casework is “ the art of doing different things for and with different people by cooperating with them to achieve at one and the same time their own and society’s betterment .”

Mary Richmond’s definition of social casework highlights the role of social worker in case work and its person-centered, holistic, and collaborative nature, emphasizing the importance of working with clients to achieve their own and society’s betterment.

With question of “What is case work in social work?” answered, we’ll take a quick look at the core values of social case work.

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Core Values of Social Case Work

The ethical principles of social work are based on the core values of social case work.

The core values of social case work are:

• Social justice
• Dignity and worth of the person
• Importance of human relationships
• Integrity, and

These principles guide social workers in their practice and set the standards to which they should aspire.

By upholding these values of social case work and ethical principles, social workers demonstrate their commitment to promoting social justice, empowering individuals and communities, and advocating for the well-being and rights of all people.

Next, we’ll move on to models and theories of social case work.

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Theories and models of social case work provide a framework for understanding and guiding the practice of social workers in assisting individuals, families, and groups.

Below is a high-level overview of some of the most commonly used theories and models of social work case work:

• Person-Centered Approach – Casework in Social Work Approach

This approach emphasizes the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship between the social worker and the client, and focusing on the client’s unique needs and strengths.

• Problem-Solving Model – Social Work Casework Model

This model involves working collaboratively with clients to identify problems, set goals, and develop strategies for achieving them.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Social Work Case Work Model

This model focuses on identifying and changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to the client’s problems.

Introduction to Social Case Work – Models of Social Case Work Practice

• Strengths-Based Model – Casework Social Work Model

This model emphasizes the importance of identifying and utilizing the client’s strengths to achieve positive change.

• Psychodynamic Theory – Casework in Social Work Theory

This theory emphasizes the importance of exploring unconscious thoughts and feelings to understand the client’s problems and develop strategies for addressing them.

• Ecological Perspective – Case Work in Social Work Perspective

This perspective recognizes the interconnectedness of personal, social, and environmental factors in individuals’ lives and stresses the importance of addressing these factors holistically.

• Empowerment Theory – Casework Social Work Theory

This theory emphasizes the importance of empowering clients to take control of their lives and make positive changes.

Overall, the theories and models of social case work provide a variety of approaches for understanding and addressing the complex needs of clients, emphasizing the importance of a person-centered, collaborative, and holistic approach.

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With models and theories of social case work covered, we’re going to delve into the essential skills of social case work practitioners.

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There are certain essential skills of social case work that every social work case work practitioner should build and develop to effectively support individuals, families, and groups in overcoming challenges and achieving positive change.

Here are some key skills that are essential for casework social work practitioners:

• Active Listening: Active listening creates a safe space for clients to express themselves and helps social work case work practitioners gain valuable insights into their needs.
• Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrating empathy and compassion is a crucial casework social work skill for establishing a supportive and trusting relationship with clients.
• Assessment and Analysis: Case planning social work practitioners need to have excellent assessment and analytical skills to comprehensively evaluate clients’ situations.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills are essential for social casework practitioners to collaboratively address clients’ challenges.
• Cultural Competence: This social casework skill allows casework social work practitioners to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate support while recognizing and addressing potential biases or barriers.

Skills Needed for Effective Casework in Social Work

• Advocacy and Collaboration: Advocacy skills are crucial for social casework practitioners to support clients in accessing necessary resources and services.
• Crisis Intervention: Social case work examples of this skill include assessing risks, providing immediate support, connecting clients with appropriate resources, and ensuring their safety.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills are fundamental for effective case work in social work.
• Ethical Practice: Social case work practitioners must adhere to professional ethics and standards.
• Self-Care: Social casework practitioners need to develop self-care strategies to manage the emotional demands of social casework

Now that we went over essential social work casework skills, we’ll take a look at tools of social case work. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

Techniques & Tools of Social Case Work | Example of Social Case Work Tools

In the field of social casework, practitioners rely on a variety of techniques and tools of social case work to assess clients’ needs, develop intervention plans, and support them in achieving their goals.

Let’s explore some of the most important techniques and tools of social work case work tools together:

• Assessment Tools – Social Work Case Examples

Assessment is a vital step in social case work, and software can greatly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the case work assessment process.

Our social work casework software comes equipped with standardized intakes, questionnaires, social work case notes example templates, and assessments that can be administered digitally, enabling social workers to gather information about clients’ physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

For example, a social worker may use the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) to assess a child’s behavioral and emotional functioning, enabling them to develop targeted interventions.

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• Case Notes – Social Work Case Example Tool

Case notes are an essential tool in social casework, as they allow practitioners to document and track important information and interventions throughout the client’s journey.

Case notes provide a written record of assessments, goals, progress, and any significant changes or developments. They serve as a valuable reference for future sessions, collaboration with other professionals, and monitoring the effectiveness of interventions.

Case notes also ensure continuity of care, facilitate communication within the social work team, and assist in maintaining accurate and confidential client records.

• Genograms and Ecomaps – Casework in Social Work Example Tools

Genograms and ecomaps are visual social work case work tools used to map out clients’ family systems and social networks, respectively.

Our All-in-One Case Work Social Work Software comes loaded with genogram, ecomap, social work case notes example templates, form builder, and much more…

Genograms provide a comprehensive overview of family relationships, dynamics, and history, allowing casework social work practitioners to understand the impact of familial factors on clients’ lives.

Ecomaps, on the other hand, help identify the social supports available to clients, including friends, community resources, and organizations.

By utilizing these visual case planning social work tools, social workers gain valuable insights into the contextual factors that influence clients’ well-being and can develop interventions accordingly.

• Counseling and Therapeutic Techniques – Example of Social Case Work Techniques

Social casework practitioners often employ counseling and therapeutic techniques to address clients’ emotional, behavioral, and psychological needs.

By utilizing a range of therapeutic approaches, social workers provide clients with a safe and supportive space to explore their feelings, develop coping strategies, and foster personal growth.

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• Case Management and Resource Linkage – Social Work Case Example Tools

Case management is a critical tool in social casework, involving the coordination and facilitation of services to meet clients’ needs.

Social work case scenarios would be housing, healthcare, employment, and educational opportunities.

• Group Work Techniques – Casework in Social Work Example Techniques

Group work is a valuable tool in social case work, enabling individuals to connect with others facing similar challenges, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Group work techniques social work case examples may include psychoeducational groups, support groups, and skill-building groups.

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Now that we have a good grasp of casework in social work techniques and tools, we’ll take a look at case work in social work tool examples and templates.

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Social Work Case Example Tools & Templates | Case Planning Social Work

To best present some of the social casework tools mentioned in the sections above, let’s take a look at a few examples.

Social work case note example, sample social work caseload template, and case summary example social work offer practical illustrations of how professionals in the field document client interactions, work toward managing caseloads in social work, and summarize the progress and outcomes of their interventions.

Social case notes are a crucial aspect of a social worker’s documentation, providing a written record of client interactions, assessments, interventions, and progress.

These notes serve as a reference for ongoing client care, communication with other professionals, and documentation of the client’s journey.

As a social work case notes example, a case note might include:

• information about the client’s presenting issues
• interventions provided, and
• any changes observed in their well-being

SWP’s Client and Case Management Hub comes equipped with several social work case notes example templates (SOAP, GIRP, BIRP, DAP, PAIP, and many more) that you can use in your individual or casework group work community work.

Subscribe today and experience clear and comprehensive social work case note example templates that ensure continuity of care and facilitate effective collaboration among the social work casework team.

A social work caseload template is a helpful tool for organizing and managing a social worker’s workload, ensuring that no client’s needs are overlooked and that each client receives appropriate attention.

The template typically includes columns or sections to record client information, such as:

• Contact details
• Demographics
• Presenting issues, and
• Assigned social worker

Social work caseload template also includes:

• Sections to track important dates
• Assessment findings
• Goals and objectives
• Interventions provided
• Progress notes
• Upcoming appointments,
• And much more…

Using a caseload template helps social workers stay organized, prioritize their tasks, and ensure that they are meeting the needs of all their clients effectively.

A case summary in social work provides a concise overview of a client’s background, presenting issues, assessment findings, interventions, and outcomes.

Case summary example social work captures the essential information and progress made during the client’s engagement with social services.

For instance, a case summary example social work template might include:

• brief description of the client’s demographics
• social and family history
• current challenges, goals identified
• interventions implemented (such as counseling, referrals, or advocacy)
• the client’s response to those interventions

Case summaries and social work case notes example templates help communicate important details to colleagues, supervisors, or other professionals involved in the client’s care.

In the section below, we’ll give you a few social work case scenarios and casework examples in social work.

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Social Case Work Examples | Social Work Case Scenarios

Social case work encompasses a wide range of social work case scenarios where social workers provide individualized support and interventions to address the unique needs and challenges faced by clients.

Let’s take a look at three social work case examples that illustrate the diverse contexts in which social case work plays a vital role in promoting positive change and improving the lives of individuals and communities.

Supporting a Homeless Individual – Social Case Work Examples

Good casework in social work example would be a scenario where a social worker is assigned to work with a homeless individual who is struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse.

The social casework professional conducts a comprehensive assessment to understand the client’s background, needs, and goals.

The casework social work practitioner provides ongoing support, counseling, and advocacy to help the client overcome their challenges, access necessary resources, and eventually transition into stable housing.

To provide the best care and support to your clients, don’t forget to sign up for our All-in-One Client and Case Management Hub  and discover all the tools of social case work we offer.

Assisting an Older Adult in Long-Term Care – Casework Examples

Another casework examples in social work would be a scenario where a social worker is involved in the case of an older adult residing in a long-term care facility.

The social work case work practitioner conducts regular assessments to monitor the client’s physical and emotional well-being, assesses their care needs, and advocates for their rights and preferences.

Supporting a Family in Child Protection Services – Example of Social Case Work

Lastly, we have a social case work examples scenario where a social worker is assigned to a family involved in a child protection case.

In this example of case study in social work, the social worker conducts home visits, interviews family members, and assesses the safety and well-being of the children.

The social worker provides counseling, parenting education, and connects the family with community resources such as substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and parenting support groups to support their reunification or ensure a stable alternative care arrangement for the children.

These real-life casework examples highlight the diverse contexts in which social case work is applied, including homelessness, long-term care, and child protection.

Furthermore, these social work case examples demonstrate the importance of assessment, collaboration, advocacy, and ongoing support in helping individuals and families navigate complex challenges, access necessary resources, and achieve positive outcomes.

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Next, we’ll do a deep dive into everything you need to know about social work case studies with some social work case studies examples. Let’s jump right into it.

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Understanding Social Work Case Studies | Social Work Case Studies Examples

To begin, we’ll first define social work case studies.

Social work case studies are detailed narratives that depict real-life scenarios encountered by social workers in their professional social work casework practice.

Social work case studies present the challenges, dilemmas, and complexities faced by social workers when working with individuals, families, or communities.

They provide a comprehensive account of the client’s background, presenting issues, and the interventions employed by social workers to address those issues.

Social work case studies may involve a wide range of social work areas, including:

• child welfare
• mental health
• substance abuse
• domestic violence
• homelessness,

If you’re interested in exploring it further, we suggest that you take a look at many sample social work case study assessment resources available.

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What’s the purpose of social work case studies?

Social work case studies serve multiple purposes:

• They offer a platform for social workers to reflect on their practice, evaluate their decision-making process, and learn from their experiences.
• Social work case studies also serve as educational tools, providing valuable learning opportunities for aspiring social workers. Don’t hesitate to explore existing sample social work case study assessment resources.
• They help develop critical thinking skills, enhance empathy, and deepen understanding of the various factors that influence client situations.
• Social work case studies contribute to the advancement of the social casework profession by providing evidence-based insights and best practices that can inform future interventions and policies.

With case study in social work example topics and purpose explained, it’s time to go over social work case studies examples format.

Do you have a social work case study examples PDF or social work case study report sample PDF that you’d like to share with our audience? Get in touch with Social Work Portal Team .

Overview of Case Study Format Social Work

When it comes to understanding the case study format social work practitioners use, there are several key elements to keep in mind:

• Introduction
• Problem Statement
• Intervention Strategies
• Discussion and Analysis

Remember that the specific case study format social work structure may vary depending on the purpose, guidelines, and requirements set by the educational institution or organization. It is important to follow any specific instructions provided and adapt the case study format social work structure accordingly.

Make sure to check sample social work case study assessment resources to get a good idea of the social work case study format.

Now that we’ve covered the case study format social work structure, we’ll move into an overview of the purpose of social work case study template and social work case study format.

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Do you know of any social work case study examples PDF or social work case study report sample PDF that you’d like to share with our readers? Do you have tips for the best social work case study template format? If so, contact the Social Work Portal Team .

A case study template social work practitioners use serves as a structured framework for documenting and analyzing the complexities of a client’s situation and the interventions employed by social workers.

This social work case study template provides a systematic approach to capturing key information, assessing the client’s needs, and evaluating the outcomes of the interventions implemented.

By following a standardized template and social work case study format, social workers can ensure consistency and clarity in presenting the case study findings.

Purpose of Case Study Template Social Work

The social work case presentation and template help organize information in a logical manner, facilitating communication among professionals and enabling effective collaboration and consultation.

Moreover, a case study template social work encourages adherence to ethical guidelines and principles throughout the documentation process.

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With a clear understanding of the social work case study template and case study format social work, it’s time to look at more specific social work case study examples.

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Social Work Case Studies Examples & Sample Social Work Case Study Assessment

We have prepared two brief social work case study examples to give you an idea of what may go into social work case presentation.

In our social work case studies examples, we’ll give you a brief mock-up of what goes in a simple case study template social work.

It is more of a social work case presentation to give you an idea of social work case studies examples and how it could look in practice,

Our first example of case study in social work is a brief social work case study examples and answers type that deals with supporting a teenager with substance abuse issues.

Supporting a Teenager with Substance Abuse Issues – Social Work Case Study Examples and Answers

Introduction: This sample social work case study assessment focuses on John, a 15-year-old boy who has been struggling with substance abuse. He comes from a low-income family and has been involved in risky behaviors, affecting his academic performance and relationships.

Assessment and Analysis: The social worker conducts a comprehensive assessment and identifies underlying factors contributing to John’s substance abuse, such as peer pressure, family conflicts, and limited access to positive recreational activities. It is noted that John has a strong desire to overcome his addiction and improve his life.

Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is to support John in achieving sobriety and developing healthy coping mechanisms. Objectives include connecting him with a substance abuse counselor, engaging his family in therapy, and exploring educational and vocational opportunities.

Interventions: The social worker facilitates individual counseling for John, conducts family therapy sessions to address underlying family issues, assists in enrolling John in an after-school program, and connects him with community support groups.

Evaluation and Outcomes: Over time, John successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program, maintains sobriety, improves his academic performance, and strengthens family relationships. The evaluation reveals increased resilience and a renewed sense of hope for John’s future.

Please note that these are just brief social work case studies examples and that real-life social work case presentation will be much more extensive and detailed.

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Next, we’ll take a look at one of social work case study examples that covers a survivor of domestic violence.

Empowering a Survivor of Domestic Violence – Social Work Case Study Examples and Answers

Introduction: This social work case study examples and answers scenario centers on Jane, a 33-year-old woman who has recently escaped an abusive relationship. She has two young children and seeks support in rebuilding her life and ensuring her safety.

Assessment and Analysis: The social worker conducts a comprehensive assessment to understand and assess Jane’s immediate safety concerns. It is found that Jane has limited financial resources, lacks a support network, and experiences significant emotional trauma.

Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is to empower Jane to rebuild her life free from violence. Objectives include securing safe housing, connecting her with counseling services, facilitating legal support, and promoting self-sufficiency.

Interventions: The social worker assists Jane in obtaining a restraining order, connects her with a domestic violence shelter, provides trauma-informed counseling, helps her access financial resources, and supports her in developing a safety plan.

Evaluation and Outcomes: With ongoing support, Jane secures stable housing, engages in individual and group therapy to address trauma, obtains a job, and establishes a support network. The evaluation demonstrates increased self-confidence, improved emotional well-being, and a reduced risk of further violence.

These social work case study examples illustrate the diverse issues social workers deal with.

By examining these social work case study examples, social workers can learn from effective intervention strategies, ethical considerations, and the outcomes achieved.

Social work case studies examples (and case studies in general) contribute to the development of evidence-based practices, inform social work education and training, and highlight the vital role of social workers in promoting social justice, empowerment, casework group work community work, and well-being for individuals.

Do you know of any social work case study examples PDF or social work case study report sample PDF that other social work case work practitioners could leverage? Contact the Social Work Portal Team .

Conclusion | 2024 Guide on Social Work Casework

This social work case planning Social Work Portal guide serves as an invaluable resource for social workers, providing a structured framework to effectively address the needs of their clients.

By following a systematic approach to case planning, social workers can ensure that interventions are tailored to the unique circumstances of each individual or family.

With the aid of casework examples and social work case studies examples, social workers can gain insights and inspiration to develop comprehensive and impactful plans that promote positive outcomes and empower clients on their path to well-being.

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We wish you nothing but success in your work!

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FAQ | Social Case Work Summary

What is casework in social work? What is social casework?

What should social work case study examples pdf contain.

SA social work case study examples PDF should contain comprehensive and well-documented case studies that highlight the key aspects of the social work process.

What are social work case studies?

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Social Work Practice with Carers

Case Study 2: Josef

Download the whole case study as a PDF file

Josef is 16 and lives with his mother, Dorota, who was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder seven years ago. Josef was born in England. His parents are Polish and his father sees him infrequently.

This case study looks at the impact of caring for someone with a mental health problem and of being a young carer , in particular the impact on education and future employment .

When you have looked at the materials for the case study and considered these topics, you can use the critical reflection tool and the action planning tool to consider your own practice.

• One-page profile

Support plan

Transcript (.pdf, 48KB)

Name : Josef Mazur

Gender : Male

Ethnicity : White European

Download resource as a PDF file

First language : English/ Polish

Religion : Roman Catholic

Josef lives in a small town with his mother Dorota who is 39. Dorota was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder seven years ago after she was admitted to hospital. She is currently unable to work. Josef’s father, Stefan, lives in the same town and he sees him every few weeks. Josef was born in England. His parents are Polish and he speaks Polish at home.

Josef is doing a foundation art course at college. Dorota is quite isolated because she often finds it difficult to leave the house. Dorota takes medication and had regular visits from the Community Psychiatric Nurse when she was diagnosed and support from the Community Mental Health team to sort out her finances. Josef does the shopping and collects prescriptions. He also helps with letters and forms because Dorota doesn’t understand all the English. Dorota gets worried when Josef is out. When Dorota is feeling depressed, Josef stays at home with her. When Dorota is heading for a high, she tries to take Josef to do ‘exciting stuff’ as she calls it. She also spends a lot of money and is very restless.

Josef worries about his mother’s moods. He is worried about her not being happy and concerned at the money she spends when she is in a high mood state. Josef struggles to manage his day around his mother’s demands and to sleep when she is high. Josef has not told anyone about the support he gives to his mother. He is embarrassed by some of the things she does and is teased by his friends, and he does not think of himself as a carer. Josef has recently had trouble keeping up with course work and attendance. He has been invited to a meeting with his tutor to formally review attendance and is worried he will get kicked out. Josef has some friends but he doesn’t have anyone he can confide in. His father doesn’t speak to his mother.

Josef sees some information on line about having a parent with a mental health problem. He sends a contact form to ask for information. Someone rings him and he agrees to come into the young carers’ team and talk to the social worker. You have completed the assessment form with Josef in his words and then done a support plan with him.

Back to Summary

Josef Mazur

What others like and admire about me

Good at football

Finished Arkham Asylum on expert level

What is important to me

Mum being well and happy

Seeing my dad

Being an artist

Seeing my friends

How best to support me

Tell me how to help mum better

Don’t talk down to me

Talk to me 1 to 1

Let me know who to contact if I am worried about something

Work out how I can have some time on my own so I can do my college work and see my friends

Don’t tell mum and my friends

Date chronology completed : 7 March 2016

Date chronology shared with person: 7 March 2016

Young Carers Assessment

Do you look after or care for someone at home?

The questions in this paper are designed to help you think about your caring role and what support you might need to make your life a little easier or help you make time for more fun stuff.

Please feel free to make notes, draw pictures or use the form however is best for you.

What will happen to this booklet?

This is your booklet and it is your way to tell an adult who you trust about your caring at home. This will help you and the adult find ways to make your life and your caring role easier.

The adult who works with you on your booklet might be able to help you with everything you need. If they can’t, they might know other people who can.

Our Agreement

• I will share this booklet with people if I think they can help you or your family
• I will let you know who I share this with, unless I am worried about your safety, about crime or cannot contact you
• Only I or someone from my team will share this booklet
• I will make sure this booklet is stored securely
• Some details from this booklet might be used for monitoring purposes, which is how we check that we are working with everyone we should be

Signed: ___________________________________

Young person:

• I know that this booklet might get shared with other people who can help me and my family so that I don’t have to explain it all over again
• I understand what my worker will do with this booklet and the information in it (written above).

Signed: ____________________________________

Name :             Josef Mazur Address :       1 Green Avenue, Churchville, ZZ1 Z11 Telephone:        012345 123456 Email:            [email protected] Gender :         Male Date of birth :        11.11.1999        Age: 16 School :            Green College, Churchville Ethnicity :        White European First language :        English/ Polish Religion :         Baptised Roman Catholic GP :            Dr Amp, Hill Surgery

The best way to get in touch with me is:

Do you need any support with communication?

*Josef is bilingual – English and Polish. He speaks English at school and with his friends, and Polish at home. Josef was happy to have this assessment in English, however, another time he may want to have a Polish interpreter. It will be important to ensure that Josef is able to use the words he feels best express himself.

About the person/ people I care for

I look after my mum who has bipolar disorder. Mum doesn’t work and doesn’t really leave the house unless she is heading for a high. When Mum is sad she just stays at home. When she is getting hyper then she wants to do exciting stuff and she spends lots of money and she doesn’t sleep.

Do you wish you knew more about their illness?

Do you live with the person you care for?

What I do as a carer It depends on if my mum has a bad day or not. When she is depressed she likes me to stay home with her and when she is getting hyper then she wants me to go out with her. If she has new meds then I like to be around. Mum doesn’t understand English very well (she is from Poland) so I do all the letters. I help out at home and help her with getting her medication.

Tell us what an average week is like for you, what kind of things do you usually do?

Monday to Friday

Get up, get breakfast, make sure mum has her pills, tell her to get up and remind her if she’s got something to do.

If mum hasn’t been to bed then encourage her to sleep a bit and set an alarm

College – keep phone on in case mum needs to call – she usually does to ask me to get something or check when I’m coming home

Go home – go to shops on the way

Remind mum about tablets, make tea and pudding for both of us as well as cleaning the house and fitting tea in-between, ironing, hoovering, hanging out and bringing in washing

Do college work when mum goes to bed if not too tired

More chores

Do proper shop

Get prescription

See my friends, do college work

Sunday – do paper round

Physical things I do….

(for example cooking, cleaning, medication, shopping, dressing, lifting, carrying, caring in the night, making doctors appointments, bathing, paying bills, caring for brothers & sisters)

I do all the housework and shopping and cooking and get medication

Things I find difficult

Emotional support I provide…. (please tell us about the things you do to support the person you care for with their feelings; this might include, reassuring them, stopping them from getting angry, looking after them if they have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs, keeping an eye on them, helping them to relax)

If mum is stressed I stay with her

If mum is depressed I have to keep things calm and try to lighten the mood

She likes me to be around

When mum is heading for a high wants to go to theme parks or book holidays and we can’t afford it

I worry that mum might end up in hospital again

Mum gets cross if I go out

Other support

Please tell us about any other support the person you care for already has in place like a doctor or nurse, or other family or friends.

The GP sees mum sometimes. She has a nurse who she can call if things get bad.

Mum’s medication comes from Morrison’s pharmacy.

Dad lives nearby but he doesn’t talk to mum.

Mum doesn’t really have any friends.

Do you ever have to stop the person you care for from trying to harm themselves or others?

Some things I need help with

Sorting out bills and having more time for myself

I would like mum to have more support and to have some friends and things to do

On a normal week, what are the best bits? What do you enjoy the most? (eg, seeing friends, playing sports, your favourite lessons at school)

Seeing friends

When mum is up and smiling

Playing football

On a normal week, what are the worst bits? What do you enjoy the least? (eg cleaning up, particular lessons at school, things you find boring or upsetting)

Nagging mum to get up

Reading letters

Missing class

Mum shouting

Friends laugh because I have to go home but they don’t have to do anything

What things do you like to do in your spare time?

Do you feel you have enough time to spend with your friends or family doing things you enjoy, most weeks?

Do you have enough time for yourself to do the things you enjoy, most weeks?  (for example, spending time with friends, hobbies, sports)

Are there things that you would like to do, but can’t because of your role as a carer?

Can you say what some of these things are?

See friends after college

Go out at the weekend

Time to myself at home

It can feel a bit lonely

I’d like my mum to be like a normal mum

School/ College Do you think being your caring role makes school/college more difficult for you in any way?

If you ticked YES, please tell us what things are made difficult and what things might help you.

Things I find difficult at school/ college

Sometimes I get stressed about college and end up doing college work really late at night – I get a bit angry when I’m stressed

I don’t get all my college work done and I miss days

I am tired a lot of the time

Things I need help with…

I am really worried they will kick me out because I am behind and I miss class. I have to meet my tutor about it.

Do your teachers know about your caring role?

Are you happy for your teachers and other staff at school/college to know about your caring role?

Do you think that being a carer will make it more difficult for you to find or keep a job?

Why do you think being a carer is/ will make finding a job more difficult?

I haven’t thought about it. I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish my course and do art and then I won’t be able to be an artist.

Who will look after mum?

What would make it easier for you to find a job after school/college?

Finishing my course

Mum being ok

How I feel about life…

Do you feel confident both in school and outside of school?

Somewhere in the middle

In your life in general, how happy do you feel?

Quite unhappy

In your life in general, how safe do you feel?

How healthy do you feel at the moment?

Quite healthy

Being heard

Do you think people listen to what you are saying and how you are feeling?

If you said no, can you tell us who you feel isn’t listening or understanding you sometimes   (eg, you parents, your teachers, your friends, professionals)

I haven’t told anyone

I can’t talk to mum

My friends laugh at me because I don’t go out

Do you think you are included in important decisions about you and your life? (eg, where you live, where you go to school etc)

Do you think that you’re free to make your own choices about what you do and who you spend your time with?

Not often enough

Is there anybody who knows about the caring you’re doing at the moment?

If so, who?

I told dad but he can’t do anything

Would you like someone to talk to?

Supporting me Some things that would make my life easier, help me with my caring or make me feel better

I don’t know

Fix mum’s brain

People to help me if I’m worried and they can do something about it

Not getting kicked out of college

Free time – time on my own to calm down and do work or have time to myself

Time to go out with my friends

Get some friends for mum

I don’t want my mum to get into trouble

Who can I turn to for advice or support?

I would like to be able to talk to someone without mum or friends knowing

Would you like a break from your caring role?

How easy is it to see a Doctor if you need to?

To be used by social care assessors to consider and record measures which can be taken to assist the carer with their caring role to reduce the significant impact of any needs. This should include networks of support, community services and the persons own strengths. To be eligible the carer must have significant difficulty achieving 1 or more outcomes without support; it is the assessors’ professional judgement that unless this need is met there will be a significant impact on the carer’s wellbeing. Social care funding will only be made available to meet eligible outcomes that cannot be met in any other way, i.e. social care funding is only available to meet unmet eligible needs.

Date assessment completed :            7 March 2016

Social care assessor conclusion

Josef provides daily support to his mum, Dorota, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder seven years ago. Josef helps Dorota with managing correspondence, medication and all household tasks including shopping. When Dorota has a low mood, Josef provides support and encouragement to get up. When Dorota has a high mood, Josef helps to calm her and prevent her spending lots of money. Josef reports that Dorota has some input from community health services but there is no other support. Josef’s dad is not involved though Josef sees him sometimes, and there are no friends who can support Dorota.

Josef is a great support to his mum and is a loving son. He wants to make sure his mum is ok. However, caring for his mum is impacting: on Josef’s health because he is tired and stressed; on his emotional wellbeing as he can get angry and anxious; on his relationship with his mother and his friends; and on his education. Josef is at risk of leaving college. Josef wants to be able to support his mum better. He also needs time for himself, to develop and to relax, and to plan his future.

Eligibility decision :                Eligible for support

What’s happening next :            Create support plan

Completed by Name : Role : Organisation :

Name: Josef Mazur

Address 1 Green Avenue, Churchville, ZZ1 Z11

Telephone 012345 123456

Email [email protected]

Gender: Male

Date of birth: 11.11.1999 Age: 16

School Green College, Churchville

Ethnicity White European

First language English/ Polish

Religion Baptised Roman Catholic

GP Dr Amp, Hill Surgery

My relationship to this person son

Name Dorota Mazur

Gender Female

Date of birth 12.6.79 Age 36

First language Polish

Religion Roman Catholic

Support plan completed by

Organisation

Date of support plan: 7 March 2016

This plan will be reviewed on: 7 September 2016

Signing this form

Please ensure you read the statement below in bold, then sign and date the form.

I understand that completing this form will lead to a computer record being made which will be treated confidentially. The council will hold this information for the purpose of providing information, advice and support to meet my needs. To be able to do this the information may be shared with relevant NHS Agencies and providers of carers’ services. This will also help reduce the number of times I am asked for the same information.

If I have given details about someone else, I will make sure that they know about this.

I understand that the information I provide on this form will only be shared as allowed by the Data Protection Act.

Josef has given consent to share this support plan with the CPN but does not want it to be shared with his mum.

Mental health

The social work role with carers in adult mental health services has been described as: intervening and showing professional leadership and skill in situations characterised by high levels of social, family and interpersonal complexity, risk and ambiguity (Allen 2014). Social work with carers of people with mental health needs, is dependent on good practice with the Mental Capacity Act where practitioner knowledge and understanding has been found to be variable (Iliffe et al 2015).

• Carers Trust (2015) Mental Health Act 1983 – Revised Code of Practice Briefing
• Carers Trust (2013) The Triangle of Care Carers Included: A Guide to Best Practice in Mental Health Care in England
• Mind, Talking about mental health
• Tool 1: Triangle of care: self-assessment for mental health professionals – Carers Trust (2013) The Triangle of Care Carers Included: A Guide to Best Practice in Mental Health Care in England Second Edition (page 23 Self-assessment tool for organisations)

Mental capacity, confidentiality and consent

Social work with carers of people with mental health needs, is dependent on good practice with the Mental Capacity Act where practitioner knowledge and understanding has been found to be variable (Iliffe et al 2015). Research highlights important issues about involvement, consent and confidentiality in working with carers (RiPfA 2016, SCIE 2015, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland 2013).

• Beddow, A., Cooper, M., Morriss, L., (2015) A CPD curriculum guide for social workers on the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 . Department of Health
• Bogg, D. and Chamberlain, S. (2015) Mental Capacity Act 2005 in Practice Learning Materials for Adult Social Workers . Department of Health
• Department of Health (2015) Best Interest Assessor Capabilities , The College of Social Work
• RiPfA Good Decision Making Practitioner Handbook
• SCIE Mental Capacity Act resource  
• Tool 2: Making good decisions, capacity tool (page 70-71 in good decision making handbook)

Young carers

A young carer is defined as a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person. The concept of care includes practical or emotional support. It is the case that this definition excludes children providing care as part of contracted work or as voluntary work. However, the local authority can ignore this and carry out a young carer’s need assessment if they think it would be appropriate. Young carers, young adult carers and their families now have stronger rights to be identified, offered information, receive an assessment and be supported using a whole-family approach (Carers Trust 2015).

• SCIE (2015) Young carer transition in practice under the Care Act 2014
• SCIE (2015) Care Act: Transition from children’s to adult services – early and comprehensive identification
• Carers Trust (2015) Rights for young carers and young adult carers in the Children and Families Act
• Carers Trust (2015) Know your Rights: Support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers in England
• The Children’s Society (2015) Hidden from view: The experiences of young carers in England  
• DfE (2011) Improving support for young carers – family focused approaches
• ADASS and ADCS (2015) No wrong doors: working together to support young carers and their families
• Carers Trust, Supporting Young Carers and their Families: Examples of Practice
• Refugee toolkit webpage: Children and informal interpreting
• SCIE (2010) Supporting carers: the cared for person
• SCIE (2015) Care Act Transition from children’s to adults’ services – Video diaries
• Tool 3: Young carers’ rights – The Children’s Society (2014) The Know Your Rights pack for young carers in England!
• Tool 4: Vision and principles for adults’ and children’s services to work together

Young carers of parents with mental health problems

The Care Act places a duty on local authorities to assess young carers before they turn 18, so that they have the information they need to plan for their future. This is referred to as a transition assessment. Guidance, advocating a whole family approach, is available to social workers (LGA 2015, SCIE 2015, ADASS/ADCS 2011).

• SCIE (2012) At a glance 55: Think child, think parent, think family: Putting it into practice
• SCIE (2008) Research briefing 24: Experiences of children and young people caring for a parent with a mental health problem
• SCIE (2008) SCIE Research briefing 29: Black and minority ethnic parents with mental health problems and their children
• Carers Trust (2015) The Triangle of Care for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals
• ADASS and ADCS (2011) Working together to improve outcomes for young carers in families affected by enduring parental mental illness or substance misuse
• Ofsted (2013) What about the children? Joint working between adult and children’s services when parents or carers have mental ill health and/or drug and alcohol problems
• Mental health foundation (2010) MyCare The challenges facing young carers of parents with a severe mental illness
• Children’s Commissioner (2012) Silent voices: supporting children and young people affected by parental alcohol misuse
• SCIE, Parental mental health and child welfare – a young person’s story

Tool 5: Family model for assessment

• Tool 6: Engaging young carers of parents with mental health problems or substance misuse

Young carers and education/ employment

Transition moments are highlighted in the research across the life course (Blythe 2010, Grant et al 2010). Complex transitions required smooth transfers, adequate support and dedicated professionals (Petch 2010). Understanding transition theory remains essential in social work practice (Crawford and Walker 2010). Partnership building expertise used by practitioners was seen as particular pertinent to transition for a young carer (Heyman 2013).

• TLAP (2013) Making it real for young carers
• Learning and Work Institute (2018) Barriers to employment for young adult carers
• Carers Trust (2014) Young Adult Carers at College and University
• Carers Trust (2013) Young Adult Carers at School: Experiences and Perceptions of Caring and Education
• Carers Trust (2014) Young Adult Carers and Employment
• Family Action (2012) BE BOTHERED! Making Education Count for Young Carers

Download The Triangle of Care as a PDF file

The Triangle of Care Carers Included: A Guide to Best Practice in Mental Health Care in England

The Triangle of Care is a therapeutic alliance between service user, staff member and carer that promotes safety, supports recovery and sustains wellbeing…

Download the Capacity Tool as a PDF file

Capacity Tool Good decision-making Practitioners’ Handbook

The Capacity tool on page 71 has been developed to take into account the lessons from research and the case CC v KK. In particular:

• that capacity assessors often do not clearly present the available options (especially those they find undesirable) to the person being assessed
• that capacity assessors often do not explore and enable a person’s own understanding and perception of the risks and advantages of different options
• that capacity assessors often do not reflect upon the extent to which their ‘protection imperative’ has influenced an assessment, which may lead them to conclude that a person’s tolerance of risks is evidence of incapacity.

The tool allows you to follow steps to ensure you support people as far as possible to make their own decisions and that you record what you have done.

Download Know your rights as a PDF file

Tool 3: Know Your Rights Young Carers in Focus

This pack aims to make you aware of your rights – your human rights, your legal rights, and your rights to access things like benefits, support and advice.

Need to know where to find things out in a hurry? Our pack has lots of links to useful and interesting resources that can help you – and help raise awareness  about young carers’ issues!

Know Your Rights has been produced by Young Carers in Focus (YCiF), and funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Tool 4: Vision and principles for adults’ and children’s services to work together to support young carers

Download the tool   as a PDF file

You can use this tool to consider how well adults’ and children’s services work together, and how to improve this.

Click on the diagram to open full size in a new window

This is based on ADASS and ADCS (2015) No wrong doors : working together to support young carers and their families

Download the tool as a PDF file

You can use this tool to help you consider the whole family in an assessment or review.

What are the risk, stressors and vulnerability factors?

How is the child/ young person’s wellbeing affected?

How is the adult’s wellbeing affected?

What are the protective factors and available resources?

This tool is based on SCIE (2009) Think child, think parent, think family: a guide to parental mental health and child welfare

Tool 6: Engaging young carers

Young carers have told us these ten things are important. So we will do them.

• Introduce yourself. Tell us who you are and what your job is.
• Give us as much information as you can.
• Tell us what is wrong with our parents.
• Tell us what is going to happen next.
• Talk to us and listen to us. Remember it is not hard to speak to us we are not aliens.
• Ask us what we know and what we think. We live with our parents; we know how they have been behaving.
• Tell us it is not our fault. We can feel guilty if our mum or dad is ill. We need to know we are not to blame.
• Please don’t ignore us. Remember we are part of the family and we live there too.
• Keep on talking to us and keeping us informed. We need to know what is happening.
• Tell us if there is anyone we can talk to. Maybe it could be you.

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Interactive Cases

Select any of the modules shown below to begin. Each case provides unique, realistic, nuanced, and in-depth situations for students to reinforce and apply their expanding skills and knowledge in an active "learning-by-doing" format.

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Rape Incest and Abuse National Network

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Systems, Strengths, and Stressors

A Community Conundrum

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A Case for Case Studies in Social Work Research

Jane F. Gilgun, PhD, LICSW, is associate professor, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, 224 Church Street, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

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Jane F. Gilgun, A Case for Case Studies in Social Work Research, Social Work , Volume 39, Issue 4, July 1994, Pages 371–380, https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/39.4.371

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Case study research is a good fit with many forms of social work practice. Although disparaged as uncontrolled and uninterpretable, the case study has great potential for building social work knowledge for assessment, intervention, and outcome. This article defines case study research, presents guidelines for evaluating case studies, and shows the relevance of case studies to social work research. Guidelines for evaluation also are guidelines for developing and interpreting case studies that will meet the rigorous demands of scientific research and be useful to social work practitioners.

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• General & Introductory Social Policy & Welfare
• Social Work

Case Studies in Social Work Practice, 3rd Edition

ISBN: 978-1-118-12834-3

February 2014

Digital Evaluation Copy

Craig W. LeCroy

A practical approach to understanding social work concepts in action that integrates theory and practice

In this updated edition of the classic social work text, students and instructors have access to real-world demonstrations of how social work theories and concepts can be applied in practice. The case studies in this book bridge the gap between the classroom and the field by allowing students to discover the when, why, and how of social work principles. Brief but comprehensive topic overviews are brought to life by case studies that apply general theories to the work of social work.

• Each of the book's nine sections cover an essential area of social work, encompassing the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
• Highly readable explanations are followed by 3-5 case studies relating theory to the living practice of real social workers
• Topics include Generalist Practice; Family Therapy, Treatment of Adults; and Diversity

Approaching each topic from a variety of different theoretical bases, this essential text allow students to learn by concrete example, experiencing social work concepts as they are applied in the profession today.

Craig Winston LeCroy , PhD, is Professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University. Dr. LeCroy has directed several projects for children and adolescents, including a National Institue of Mental Health Training Grant for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. He has published widely in the areas of children's mental health, social skills training, risk and needs assessment with juvenile offenders, and adolescent treatment and program evaluation.

SOCIAL CASE STUDY REPORT

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School of Social Work Real Cases Studies

Brenda McGowan, DSW Professor, James R. Dumpson Chair of Child Welfare Studies Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service

In developing cases for analysis in social work classes, our primary objective was to select and present cases that convey the reality of practice in child protective services – the excitement, the demands, the conflicting expectations, and the enormous variability of practice. Representatives of the ACS Accountability Review Panel in conjunction with the James Satterwhite Child Welfare Training Academy initially selected eight cases for consideration. Six were identified from ongoing ChildStat reviews, and two from records in Connections.

We reviewed these cases, identified five that seemed like good candidates for this project. These five were reviewed by the Real Cases Committee and the Director of the Training Academy who together selected the three presented here. These cases were selected because they demonstrate good, but not perfect investigations, fairly typical types of case situations, a range of allegations, and very diverse client populations. One involves a charge of spouse abuse in an immigrant family from the Caribbean with two young children, another a charge of grandparent’s abuse of a black teenage boy whose parents are out of state, and the third involves a white mother with severe mental illness who left a latency age boy alone unsupervised. One of these cases has a long history of involvement with CPS, the others are totally new. All were new to the workers who were charged with investigating these allegations.

To explain the selection process we followed, it is necessary to describe the complexity of the two types of CPS records we reviewed. First, Connections is a massive computerized data information system introduced years ago to track all child welfare cases in New York State. This system contains a number of narrative sections, as well as many that require the worker to select among pre-coded options. Designed to cover each case from intake or the initial complaint through investigation, assessment, service planning and provision for each family member, it requires multiple entries from all the workers and supervisory personnel who have any contact with the case or provide any of the required approvals. An outsider reading a Connections case record gets the impression that this instrument was designed to monitor compliance with all the regulations governing child welfare practice, not to tell the story of a case. Entries are all made chronologically and frozen so changes cannot be made later. Instead, if the worker or supervisor decides to correct a fact or assessment entered earlier, this can only be done by making another entry. The result is that it is easy to have a lengthy Connections document of well over 40 pages that is very repetitious, may contain conflicting information, and cannot be skimmed easily to obtain the basic facts about a case. However, child protective workers and supervisors must often form their practice decisions on the basis of the complex and sometimes contradictory information in Connections.

Second, the Commissioner of ACS recently introduced a new case practice accountability tool, ChildStat. Modeled on the CompStat program used in the City’s police precincts, it is designed as a system for communication among all managerial levels about work at the frontline in child protective services. Staff members from the agency’s Office of Accountability review a sample of the cases from each borough office and write carefully constructed, very detailed summaries of the essential facts in each sampled child protective report. These summaries are distributed to a ChildStat committee that reviews cases from different boroughs on a rotating basis. This committee is composed of top agency administrators, directors of relevant borough offices, and case supervisors who answer questions for each case under discussion. The ChildStat program is widely viewed as a successful innovation that keeps central administration informed about what is happening at the field level and provides important feedback to different levels in the field office about errors or omissions the workers may be making and ways to improve the quality of practice.

The ChildStat program was very valuable for this curriculum project for two reasons:

First, the succinct, factual case summaries written for ChildStat provided an easier way to view and select a range of cases than the complex Connections records.

Second, these reports are written in a way that highlights the fact patterns that must be addressed in each child protective report. These include:

• basic demographic data;
• each family member’s response to the allegations in the report of child abuse or neglect;
• a full description of the family’s house or apartment with attention to space, sleeping arrangements, and cleanliness;
• family’s financial situation;
• any substance abuse in the home;
• any allegation of domestic violence;
• information about any prior contact between family and CPS;
• summary of interview with each adult member of the household;
• parents’ description of the children and any special concerns identified;
• summary of interview with and/or observation of each child in the home;
• summary of contact with complainant and any other relevant person, e.g., school teacher;
• description of any recent family crises;
• any issues that require emergency assistance;
• list of all requested services;
• worker’s recommendation about opening this case and making a finding.

We have tried to present the cases here in a very accessible, reader-friendly manner to encourage class discussion and analysis. However, the Connections and ChildStat programs are described in detail because it is important for students to understand the complex regulatory framework within which child protective workers must function. It is easy to get very frustrated with all the forms and regulations, but these are essential because children’s lives may be at stake. The rare child fatality case that explodes in the media every year or two illustrates why responsible public officials must create and enforce such a firm regulatory framework for protective practice. In reading each of the cases presented here, students are encouraged to consider the range of information available, any interesting or troubling omissions or contradictions in the facts the CPS worker was able to gather, your case assessment, the subsequent service recommendations you would make, and any glaring deficiencies in the larger service and/or policy environment highlighted by this case.

School of Social Work

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