A Guide for Writing

Social Case Study

Reports
Training of Social Workers on
Social Case Study Writing and
Project Documentation

The Process of Case Management

Assessment

Planning

Implementation

Initial Contact
Intake

Planning &
Contracting

Service Provision
& Monitoring

Data Collection
& Assessment

Arranging Services:
Referral Network

Evaluation &
Termination

Problem
Identification

Intervention Plan

Problem
Resolution

Approaches to Social
Case Management
Holistic care to ensure full or optimum
development of a client physical, social,
emotional, cognitive and spiritual development
Rights-based and life-cycle approach to
ensure that the clients rights are upheld
throughout the different stages of
development; gender-sensitive

Approaches to Case Management

Family & community-based approaches recognize

that families and communities are the first line of
defense thus interventions should strengthen their
capabilities to respond to trafficking issues.
Multi-disciplinary approach recognizes that clients
need to access to an array of services due to the
multi-faceted nature of trafficking. The national and
local governments, NGOs/FBOs, private sector, media
and professionals need to work together with mutual
responsibilities or joint accountability in managing the
different aspects of helping the clients within the
context of their family, community and society.

Rationale
Social Case Study Reports:
Provide an in-depth view of the clients life
and how the client and others see him or her
as functioning;
Are used by the courts, hospitals, social
service and mental health agencies, and by
other professionals to make crucial decisions
about peoples lives and the direction these
lives may take.

Rationale
Serve as the foundation for providing accurate
assessments and effective interventions;
Dynamically respond to changes in the clients life
circumstances;
Demonstrate accountability for professional
services;
Provide required documentation for agency
personnel, legal and regulatory bodies, and funding
sources; and
Serve as a method to evaluate practice outcomes.

Analogous terms used:

Social assessment report

Biopsychosocial assessment
Social history
Psychosocial study
Social Case Study

Varied Formats
Formatting of the social case study report
varies depending on the agency setting,
the purpose and the needs of the clients
served;
Common elements include multidimensional
focus on the interaction of human
biological, psychological, and social
functioning of the client.

Tips in Writing a Social

Case Study Report
Social case study reports should be:
Concise
Organized
Objective
Factual
Thorough
Neat

Tips in Writing a Social

Case Study Report
Be clear and precise.
Document significant aspect of
contacts with client.
Be consistent; avoid contradictions.
Document CMs interactions with the
client/household members.

Tips in Writing a Social

Case Study Report
Use correct syntax, spelling and grammar;
Write in the third person singular;
Avoid subjective language or obvious
personal opinions and biases; exclude
irrelevant information;
Submit report in a timely manner;

Tips in Writing a Social

Case Study Report
Report should refer to clients name and
other significant others;
Final report may not be altered after it
becomes part of the clients file, but a reassessment report or an addendum can be
submitted to correct factual errors ; and
Safeguard confidentiality.


Content of Social Case
Study Report
The definition of the problem and
background of the problem;
The clients background e.g.work,
education, relationships, etc.;
The clients current situation and what
strengths, clients capabilities and those of
family and resources in his/her
environment;

Content of Social Case

Study Report
Assessment on how well the client
functions to solve the problem;
Intervention plan goals and actions
to be done by client, family and the
SW/CM within a time frame.

Social Case Study Report:

Suggested Outline

Identifying Information
Family Composition
Sources of Information
Source of Referral
Problem Presented
Background Information

Social Case Study Report:

Suggested Outline
Background Information:
Clients early life information;
Behavioral observations/personality
assessment of client;
Family background

Social Case Study Report:

Suggested Outline
Problem description: trafficking incident

Before, during and post-trafficking

Risk and protective/supportive factors
Clients coping behavior/feelings and other
effects of the trafficking experience
(behavioral, cognitive, physical, or emotional
problems)

Social Case Study Report:

Suggested Outline
Current functioning of the client
Individual/clients strengths - physical,
psychological/emotional; social etc.
Family relationships
Other support system kins, peers, etc.
Access to community resources
Unresolved effects of the trafficking
experience

Social Case Study Report:

Suggested Outline
Assessment:
Concise statement summarizing the
significant findings of the report and
relevant features of the clients
psychosocial functioning, including
problems and strengths

Social Case Study Report:

Suggested Outline
Assessment: Some suggested questions:
What is your impression of the clients situation?
What are the major problems or concerns? What are
his/her strengths or resources? Are there any safety
concerns that require attention? How motivated is
the client to receive services? What are the chief
obstacles? Are there any agency/organizational issues
that needs to be addressed? What general direction
should the plan and intervention take?

Social Case Study Report:

Suggested Outline
Intervention Plan:
Specify concrete actions to be taken
by client(s) and/or social worker with
time lines based on the assessment;
Address the problems and strengths
identified in the report; and
Address immediate needs first.

Workshop 1
Each group will be assigned a case:
Discuss/analyze the case situation
Prepare/write an initial case summary
based on whatever information available
Present output in plenary

Workshop 2
Role play the case assigned to your
group.
Write a social case study based on the
case and the role play.
Identify information which are needed
to complete the case study.
Present output in plenary.

Workshop 3