NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management - National ...

Social workerWithin the United States, social worker refers toan individual who possesses a baccalaureate ormaster’s degree in social work from a school orprogram accredited by the Council on SocialWork Education. Although all 50 states and theDistrict of Columbia license or certify socialworkers, licensure and certification laws vary bystate. Each social worker should be licensed orcertified, as applicable and required, at the levelappropriate to her or his scope of practice in thepractitioner’s jurisdiction(s).Client and client systemThe term client refers to the individual or familywho is the recipient of case managementservices—in other words, whose goals, needs,and strengths constitute the primary focus ofcase management. (Within these standards, clientoften refers to an individual; the term familymay be substituted if applicable, however.) Eachorganization’s mission usually defines itsclientele; funding sources may also play a role inthis determination. In some practice settings orcase management models, beneficiary, consumer,patient, peer, resident, or other terms may be usedin lieu of client. The client system includes boththe client and members of the client’s supportnetwork (such as family members, friends,religious communities, or service providers).Family and family systemFamily involvement in case management variesgreatly across client populations and practicesettings. The term family is defined by eachindividual and may refer to family of origin,spouses or domestic partners, children, extendedfamily, friends, community elders, or otherindividuals who support the client participating14