Module 1
Introduction to Social Casework
Quadrant 3
Glossary
Starting Character Term
A Assessment of problem
C Casework
I Intervention Strategy
P Professional Case Worker
S Social
Social Treatment
Web Reference Links:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%2520casework
http://www.questia.com/library/sociology-and-anthropology/social-work/social-case-work
http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/casework
SW/SCW/1 by Prof. Xavier Kanickairaj
Definition
This term refers to the process of
gathering information about the person
and his/her environment in order to
identify the real problem and the
related factors.
Casework is a process which enables a
person to understand and solve his/her
problem by making effective use of
personal resources as well as of the
available community resources.
Intervention strategy is the design by
which an individual is assisted in
understanding his/her problem and the
means to solve it. It aims at restoring
equilibrium to his/her bio-psycho-
social functioning.
A professional case worker is the one
who has acquired relevant knowledge
and skills in the art of helping a person
who is in need of help.
The term ‘social’ refers to populations
of human beings. It also refers to the
interaction of one human being with
another, and to their collective co-
existence.
Social treatment is the sum total of all
activities and services directed
towards helping the person with a
problem.
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http://www.slideshare.net/srengasamy/social-case-work-main

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/casework

christcollegemsw.blogspot.com

schoolcounsellorsofindia.blogspot.com

Bibliography:

1. Richmond M., Social Diagnosis, Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 1917

2. Perlman H.H., Social Casework: A Problem-Solving Process, The University of Chicago Press,
Chicago, 1957

3. Fischer J., Effective Casework, an eclectic approach, McGraw – Hill Book Company, New York
1978.

4. Upadhya R.K., Social Case Work, Ravat Publication, 2003

5. Banerjee G.B., Papers on Social Work, An Indian Perspective, Tata Institute of Social Sciences,
Bombay, 1972

Points to Ponder

 Social Case Work is a primary method of social work that helps a person in problem solving.
 It involves a process of one-to-one relationship that helps the individual in effecting better
adjustment in his/her family and social milieu.
 Social Case work stands on the basic belief that human beings are born with innate capacities and
these capacities need to be enhanced with new knowledge and skills, and experiences gained
through everyday life.
 Problem of one individual is different from that of another. Hence individualization of problem is
one of the characteristics of case work.
 Social case work involves a process of social treatment.
 There is lack of indigenous literature for social case work practice. The good practices, the
innovative approaches, and the new insights into this practice need to be captured and
documented.

SW/SCW/1 by Prof. Xavier Kanickairaj 2