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

clearly to maximize the client’s understanding ofthe information sought and how it will be usedto benefit that individual.Social work case management assessment isrooted in the profession’s person-in-environmentperspective and, accordingly, seeks to understandthe relationships between the client, otherpeople, and the physical and social environment.Assessments may vary on the basis oforganizational setting and practice specialty andshould reflect the individual needs and strengthsof each client. Assessment conversations withclients and other members of the client systemmay include the following domains, as they pertainto client priorities, strengths, and service needs:■ motivating factors in seeking casemanagement services or reason for referralto the social work case manager■ living arrangements, including suitabilityand safety of the home environment■ vocational history (for example, employment,education, volunteer work, or significanthobbies), challenges, and goals■ language preferences and proficiency levels■ preferred methods of communication andlearning (such as oral explanation, writteninformation, or practical demonstration)■ degrees of literacy, including health,behavioral health, and financial literacy■ cultural values, beliefs, and practices (including,but not limited to, spirituality and religion)related to client’s goals for case management■ effects of culturally based discrimination onclient’s ability to realize case management goals■ psychosocial strengths, protective factors, andpoints of resilience■ family composition, structure, roles, andcommunication patterns32