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

client. In such circumstances, designation of aprimary case manager (ideally, at the discretionof the client) and written interorganizationalagreements can be useful. Even when suchmeasures are not feasible, collaboration withinteams and organizations, as well as amongorganizations and service delivery systems, isessential to continuity of services. Suchcollaboration also enhances organizational andsystemic capacity to support clients and reducesinappropriateness, duplication, or fragmentationof services.The social work case manager plays an integralrole in fostering, maintaining, and strengtheningcollaborative partnerships on behalf of clientsand shall demonstrate the following abilities:■ differentiate social work perspectives, values,and interventions from those of otherdisciplines■ describe and support the roles of otherdisciplines and organizations involved insupporting case management clients■ articulate and fulfill the missions andfunctions of their employing organizations,with consideration of social work ethicsand values■ communicate effectively with allprofessionals, paraprofessionals, andvolunteers involved in supporting casemanagement clientele■ advocate for clients’ integral role in teamcommunications and service planning,delivery, and monitoring■ communicate client and family informationin a respectful, objective manner whileprotecting confidentiality and privacy■ promote the strengths, and advocate for thegoals, of case management clients41