Effective Case Management in Social Work: A Case Study of Jennifer, 16

This report delves into the intricacies of case management within the context of social work, using the case of a 16-year-old girl named Jennifer who is struggling with alcohol addiction and behavioral issues. The report begins by defining case management and highlighting its significance in social work practice, emphasizing its holistic approach to addressing clients' needs. It then outlines the core principles of effective case management, such as building trusting relationships, evidence-based practice, and empowering clients. The central part of the report meticulously applies the case management process to Jennifer's case, detailing each phase, including screening, assessment, risk stratification, planning, implementation, follow-up, transition, communication post-transition, and evaluation. The report identifies Jennifer's specific needs and goals, developing strategies for intervention and support. Furthermore, it addresses the professional and ethical challenges that may arise in managing such a case, such as confidentiality, cost constraints, and the potential for unethical practices. Finally, it explores resources for capacity building, including self-care programs, counseling, and educational support, to aid Jennifer's recovery and overall well-being. This report provides a comprehensive overview of case management in social work, demonstrating the practical application of its principles and processes in addressing the complex needs of vulnerable individuals.

Running head: CASE MANAGEMENT IN SOCIAL WORK
CASE MANAGEMENT IN SOCIAL WORK
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Discussion..................................................................................................................................2
Case management in social work:..........................................................................................2
Principles of effective case management:..............................................................................4
Implementation of the case management process for the chosen case study:........................5
Screening:...........................................................................................................................5
Assessment Phase:.............................................................................................................6
Stratifying risk phase:........................................................................................................7
Planning Phase:..................................................................................................................7
Implementation Phase:.......................................................................................................8
Following-up Phase:...........................................................................................................8
The transitioning Phase:.....................................................................................................8
Communicating Post transition Phase:...............................................................................8
The Evaluation Phase:........................................................................................................9
Professional and ethical issues:..............................................................................................9
Resources for capacity building:............................................................................................9
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
References:...............................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
The method of offering services in which the professionals' analyses the requirements
of clients along with their families by accomodating, coordinating, monitoring and
advocating services aligned with the needs are known as social work case management. The
role of the case managers is to assist clients by supporting their needs and instituting the
actions for accomplishing the set goals of meeting the expectations and (un)recognized
interests (Frankel, Gelman & Pastor, 2018). The social work practice is majorly congruent to
the case management process. The purpose of the paper is to present the principles of
effective case management. The paper will also execute the case management process along
with the identification of ethical and professional concerns. The report will be based upon a
case situation of a 16-year-old girl, who was been is addicted to drinking, which has affected
her educational background and employment opportunities. The client, in this case, is
Jennifer, the 16 years old, whose family is worried about her overall well-being. The report
will be framed based on the need identified by the case study of Jennifer.
Discussion
Case management in social work:
The combined features of healthcare and social work along with the practice of offering
significant common ground determines case management in social work. Case management
can be considered as the cross-disciplinary practice based on advocacy seeking and for
identifying the resources to respond to the mental and physical health of identified clients.
Case management associated with social work allows the professionals to construct a holistic
and people-approach for addressing the concerning behavioral and physical health conditions
(Grube & Mendenhall, 2016). The application of case management in social work allows the
execution of a holistic approach, leading to the complete well-being of the population by

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improving their quality-of-life. Moreover, the complexity of need guides the approach in case
management to address the complete well-being of an identified individual. The case
management practices vary majorly concerning social work settings and diversity.
The role of social work case management differs from various other types in case
management due to the address procedure dedicated to the state of an individual in the social
system and biopsychosocial status. The nature of social work case management offers both
macro and micro assessments as the intervention of the professionals is marked by both at the
system's and client's level. The role of the professional in social work case management is to
construct and maintain a holistic therapeutic relationship with the identified individuals by
creating a link between the client and the system. The link of the system with the client helps
in the effectiveness of the care system due to the smooth allocation of resources and services
based on identified opportunities.
The primary aim of the social work case management is optimizing clients' functioning, in
this case, the client is 16-year old Jennifer, by offering quality and appropriate services. The
practice of case management in social work bases on values, theory, knowledge, skill
development, and most significantly professional training. The goals of case management
involved, the practice of enhancing problem-solving skills, improving developmental plans
for coping capacity and problem-solving approaches amongst clients. Promotion of humane
operations in a system, which offers the allocated resources and services is another aim of
case management (Horner, 2018). Linking systems and people for effective allocation of
opportunities and resources along with the improvement of capacity and scope of the delivery
system are the milestones for the system. The goal also involves the contribution to the
improvement and development of social policy.

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Principles of effective case management:
The principles of case management enable the effectiveness of service offerings by social
work professionals. The principles indicating the effectiveness in case management are as
follows:
 Building trusting relationship- In accordance with the standards set by the National
Association of Social Workers; there should be a therapeutic relationship between
client and practitioner (Dieterich et al., 2017). This principle mainly entails the
practice of offering a safer environment for individuals, so that they can share their
problems, feelings, and story. The characteristics of empathy, pleasant attitude, and
understanding.
 Evidence-based practice- Evidence-based approach is highly crucial for the social
work and the role of case managers. The EBP (Evidence-based Practice) indicates the
process, practitioner use for guiding and informing delivery of services and
treatments. There are four major components for enabling this approach or practice
including the identification of existing situations, needs and environment, suitable
availability of research evidence, client preferences and values and the judgment and
expertise of clinicians (Vourlekis, 2017).
 Empowering clients: Despite perceiving the relationship between the case managers
and clients as helpers, the caseworkers recognize the link in the form of partnership.
 Professionals should offer an appropriate rate of assistance and services for the clients
without following the approach of referrals.
 The primary partnerships can be witnessed with community resources such as
employers, art clubs, employers and landlords.
 Focusing equally on the team and individual case management
 Certification and professional training for a case manager is mandatory

5CASE MANAGEMENT IN SOCIAL WORK
 The service offerings by the case managers do not have a limitation on time.
 Case management indicates an improvement of both mental and physical health (if
any) of the clients by promoting wellness practices as well as autonomy through
education, communication, and advocacy.
Implementation of the case management process for the chosen case study:
The case management process includes nine phases, screening, assessing, stratifying
risks, planning, implementing or care coordination, follow-up, transitioning or transitional
care, communicating after transition and the last phase of evaluation. The phases indicate a
holistic approach for improving the wellbeing of clients (Parker, 2017). The case
management process functions with the consideration of the interests, needs, values, and
cultural beliefs.
Screening:
These phases help in reviewing the key information concerning the state of health of
individuals concerning identifying the demand for human and health services. With respect to
the case study, the case management process will aim at the determination of the alignment
between the offered services and Jenifer's need for complete well-being. The first phase of
the process will help in promoting early intervention and the accomplishment of the desired
outcome. In the first stage, several information needs to be acquired including:
 Past and present health conditions
 Health services used by Jenifer till now
 The financial status of Jenifer and her family
 Socio-economic status of Jenifer
 The home environment experienced by the 16-year old

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 Self-care ability of Jenifer
 The support system of Jenifer
 Health Insurance coverage
 Details on cognitive, emotional and physical functioning
Assessment Phase:
This phase may seem similar to the phase of screening but engrave the practice of greater
depth in seeking information. Along with the key information used in the first phase for
Jenifer, the phase of assessment will add up her readiness to change the current state, her
experiences with safety concerns, availability of current healthcare service at her assistance.
While the professional practice of assessing the information of Jenifer is carried, the role of
the youth worker will encircle:
 Identification of the key issues, needs, and interests: According to the case study, the
current issues, which can be unrecognized by Jennifer includes, her changing
behavior, which is leading to the concerns of charges for shoplifting, drug intake and
breach of the peace (Lukersmith, Millington & Salvador-Carulla, 2016).
 Determination of the expected target outcomes and care goals: The goals and
accomplishments are expected by the parents of Jennifer, who approached the
Salvation Army Youth services for holistic care of their daughter, which can allow
her to be detached from the practices compromising her mental health.
 Development of a comprehensive case management plan: The plan framed for
Jennifer will allow her to trust the system and recognized the concerns leading to her
behavioral changes. The identified issues need to be addressed with promptness and
by gaining her comfort in dependency.
The practice of gathering more in-depth information regarding the situation and state of
Jennifer, the role fo youth worker will be to establish face-to-face communication and to

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gather personal records on health status and health insurance plans and communication with
the associated people or community members.
Stratifying risk phase:
In this phase, the youth worker's role will be to classify Jennifer's (un)recognized
issues or risks into categories such as high, low and moderate. The classification will allow
the care system to execute services that are completely targeted towards the risk-category of
Jennifer. Jennifer will also be undergone through a series of assessments of biomedical
screening and health risks based on identified risk factors. The factors responsible for
Jennifer's condition can be medication intake, changing behavioral health, financial and/or
social status, peer group pressure, deterioration of status amongst society due to suspension
from school and unemployment, alcohol and drug usage and emotional instability.
Planning Phase:
This phase will establish the objectives and strategies aimed at helping Jennifer for leading a
healthier lifestyle. The plan will include, regular communication with Jennifer, shifting her
thoughts by helping her recognize healthy practices and responsibilities entailed for her
family. Constructing or replenishing her educational qualification with the assistance of
regular council support and authorization in starting her own working space through
independent venturing based on her identified hobbies and interests (Braye & Preston-Shoot,
2016).
Moreover, the strategies will be the focus of a measurable goal of deriving the complete
well-being of Jennifer by eliminating the habits that can negatively influence her mental and
physical health. The attainable goal will be to build resistance to change for her to participate
in the educational and skill development programs. The change program will be targeted for
improving her behavioral condition within six months.

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Implementation Phase:
The implementation approach will focus on the execution of specific case
management activities and the intervention of youth workers. This phase will accommodate
resources for the clients' interests and benefits such as educational counselors, private tutors,
enrollment in support groups, vocational training facilities, and resources for starting her
identified hobbies.
Following-up Phase:
 Sharing information regarding resources and training programs with Jenifer and her
family
 Repeating the strategies and communication process regularly
 Follow-up approach for further improvement of modifications
The transitioning Phase:
During this phase, the activities will be monitored continuously for shifting the
healthcare facilities. The transition needs to be organic for her and should engage her full
interests and participation.
Communicating Post transition Phase:
This phase will include a thorough follow-up for identifying obstacles and seeking
resolution by collaborative supporting partners for Jennifer. This phase will seek feedback
from her parents and Jennifer.
The Evaluation Phase:
The outcome of the care for Jennifer will be assessed based on the changed state and key
success factors such as:
 Self-care abilities

9CASE MANAGEMENT IN SOCIAL WORK
 Emotional well-being
 Healthcare engagement
 Improved quality of life
 Satisfaction with programs (Marin, Hauder & Matthes, 2016)
 Knowledge of improving mental and health conditions
Professional and ethical issues:
 Confidentiality issues: These issues may arise due to the misuse of client’s
information for unrelated purposes.
 Cost-control constraints: In providing the health care and educational programs for
Jennifer followed by improvement, the agency may face the constraint of cost
allocation.
 Uncertified support agents: The support agents may not be certified for helping the
case of Jennifer.
 Falsification of feedback: The feedback system regulates the phase of improving the
current care system, falsifying the stage for personal interest can lead to ethical
concern (Beckett, Maynard & Jordan, 2017).
Resources for capacity building:
 Self-care programs
 Counselors
 Educational tutors
 Meditation and Yoga trainers
 Financial support for enrolling participation in vocational training
 Building hobbies for a professional career

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Conclusion
Therefore, the paper can be concluded by stating that Jennifer needs to be enrolled
with full interest in a holistic care approach, which will improve her current state and lead her
lifestyle to a productive and positive future.
References:
Beckett, C., Maynard, A., & Jordan, P. (2017). Values and ethics in social work. Sage.
Braye, S., & Preston-Shoot, M. (2016). Practising social work law. Macmillan International
Higher Education.

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systematic reviews, (1).
Frankel, A. J., Gelman, S. R., & Pastor, D. K. (2018). Case management: An introduction to
concepts and skills. Oxford University Press.
Grube, W., & Mendenhall, A. N. (2016). Adolescent mental health case management:
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Horner, N. (2018). What is Social Work?: Contexts and Perspectives. Learning Matters.
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management? A scoping and mapping review. International journal of integrated
care, 16(4).
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Parker, J. (2017). Social work practice: Assessment, planning, intervention and review.
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