The Helping
Relationship in Social
Casework
SW 315: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Learning Objectives:
Define,distinguish and analyse the
social casework helping
relationship;
Determine the client-worker
relationship factors
Identify
how to establish positive
client-worker relationship
Framework
Social Work
Individuals, Groups, Communities
Social Admin
What Social Action/ Social Reform Why
Social Research
Philosophy Social welfare policies,
programs and services
Values
Belief about man Human behavior and the
Principles social environment
Ethics
Social Work Practice
(How)
Goal Helping Process
Functions Helping Models and Approaches
Elements Tools in Problem-Solving
Skills
Framework
Social Work
Casework. Groupwork. Community Organizing
Social Admin
Philosophical Knowledge
Social Action/ Social Reform
Base Social Research Base
Philosophy Social welfare policies,
programs and services
Values
Belief about man Human behavior and the
Principles social environment
Ethics
Social Work Practice (How)
Goal Helping Process
Functions Helping Models and Approaches
Elements Tools in Problem-Solving
Skills
Let us review…………….
What is casework?
“Social Case work is a process used
by certain human welfare agencies
to help individuals to cope more
effectively with their problems in
social functioning.”
Perlman (1957)
“Social Case work may be defined as the
art of
doing different things for and with different
people by cooperating with them to
achieve at one and the same time their
own and society’s betterment.”
Mary Richmond (1915)
Social case work is the art of bringing
about better adjustments in the social
relationship of individual men or women or
children.
Mary Richmond (1917)
Social case work is “the art of bringing an
individual who is in a condition of social
disorder into the best possible relation
with all parts of his environment‟.
Jarrett (1919)
Social case work means “social treatment
of a maladjusted individual involving an
attempt to understand his personality,
behavior and social relationships and to
assist him in working out better social and
personal adjustment”.
Taft (1920)
Social Case Work is the art of untangling
and restructuring the twisted personality
in such a manner that the individual can
adjust himself to his environment.
Watson (1922)
“Social Case Work is a method
employed by a social worker to help
individuals find a solution to their
problem of social adjustment which
they are unable to handle in a
satisfactory way by their own effort.”
Safrad
What is Helping
Process?
What is Helping
Process?
It is the progressive transaction
between the worker and the
client consisting of a series of
problem-solving operations so
as to achieve a defined goal.
HELPING PROCESS
COS of US De Guzman Book NASWEI Curriculum Richmond’s Trilogy
Registration Identification of the Engagement Gathering of Social
Problem Evidence
Data Gathering
Investigation Assessment Social Diagnosis
Diagnostic
Assessment
Cooperation Planning the Solution Goal Setting and
Intervention Planning
Friendly Visiting Implementation
Evaluation and Treatment
Monitoring
Evaluation
Termination or Continuation and
Continuation Termination
The Client-Worker
Relationship
The client-worker relationship is a professional relationship
established for the purpose of attaining objectives of
helping.
The relationship involves dynamic interaction and
emotional interplay between the worker and the client.
The interaction involves their particular feelings and
attitudes in relation to particular situations. The
relationships must be guided toward positive and
constructive directions within the context of objectivity
and professional values in order to promote the client’s
inner security, self-dignity and sense of trust.
The Client-Worker
Relationship
The initial relationship must be started from
“where the client is.” This is the recognition and
assessment of the client’s readiness, pace,
motivation and capacities.
The worker provides understanding and support
to the client’s readiness and his perception of
reality.
The relationship is client-centered rather than
problem-centered, realizing that the client’s stress
has various reactions to himself and to situations.
“Relationship” in Casework
Successful treatment depends
heavily on the quality of relationship
between client and casework
How do we promote Positive Relationship?
Positive therapeutic relationship stems from
the worker’s demonstration of non-
possessive warmth and concern,
genuineness, accurate empathy, and non-
judgmental acceptance, along with the
capacity to communicate optimism and
professional competence.
How do we promote Positive Relationship?
For client: he/she must mobilize some
courage, hope and motivation to join the
worker, and to trust in his/her ability to
help.
Recommend worker interventions to
engage the client’s own problem-solving
capacities
Help client acknowledge difficulty
Assist client in understanding the meaning of the
situation
Aid client in making decision to change
Show sympathetic approach with client
Establish rapport
How do we promote Positive
Relationship?
Present and discuss facts of the case
Stimulate the client to action
Demonstrate to the client your ability to observe
and listen
Begin where the client is
Ask only necessary question
How do we promote Positive
Relationship?
Take leadership only when needed, otherwise use
client’s own resourcefulness
Offer interpretations of client’s situation, as well
resources and direction as needed
Demonstrate acceptance of client
Discuss client request
Gather facts about request
