Comparison Of Case Work Approach And Case Management Approach

This task requires you to critically analyse the major issues and dilemmas, including ethical issues, involved in the implementation of casework and case management practice or systems.  You will compare and contrast the effectiveness of each method in the context of contemporary service delivery.

Introduction

Case management approach in social context implies that, whenever an individual reaches an optimal level of wellness and functional capability, everyone benefits in totality. They include concerned individual patients, their support systems, and the social care delivery systems (Briggs, 2009) (Egan, 2009). Case management serves as the means of achieving client wellness and autonomy through advocacy, communication, education and service facilitation, to bring about desired social outcomes in an individual being served.

The job functions of case managers include conduction of comprehensive assessment of client's condition, psychosocial needs including literacy status and drawbacks, for the development of an appropriate case management plan, in collaboration with the client or their family and the caregiver/s. Co-ordinated care and managed care are two synonyms associated with case management approach in clinical care settings (Gursansky 2012) (Kohleis 2009).

Casework in social context involves direct working with a client to bring about a change – mainly by development and utilization of client-worker relationships. However, unlike case management, it does not involve broader services like the involvement of family and other resources and relies on the instinct of the professional's thought process (Connolly & Harms, 2012). Unlike case management, teamwork and collaboration are not the prerequisites for casework approach. Nevertheless, to render appropriate social work casework and case management helps in rendering client-centric care which rehabilitates an individual in the society. 

Definitions

Casework 

  Casework is defined as a practice method where a human service professional (for example a social worker) works directly with the client to bring about a change – mainly by development and utilization of client-worker relationships. The changes are incorporated to 

benefit the client based on a client-centric approach. Individual concerns and needs are considered by the worker, in formulating an action plan for the client. However, such approach only incorporates the skills and knowledge of the worker concerned and teamwork or utilization of broader services to address client needs are not considered (Maidment, Egan & Wexler, 2011). The framework of social casework is divided into four attributes; person, problem, place, and process (Hepworth et al, 2013).

 Case Management 

Case management is a practice method where a human service professional (social worker) co-ordinates a package of multiple services and resources for the client. Such interventions involve changes, both in individual service provider and system at large. Case management approach not only incorporates the skills and knowledge of the worker concerned but involves teamwork and utilization of broader services, to address client need. Individual concerns and needs are considered by service providers, for formulating an action plan for the individual client as well as other clients with similar needs. Hence, case management ensures advancement in system delivery, in addition to individual actions and skills (Moore, 2009).