Writing in Social Work: competent written communication

Question 1

Case notes and reports are written…

Answer 1

… after the worker has carried out an assessment of the client.

Professional ethics, reflective practice and ‘use of self’ inform our case note and report writing.

Question 2

A case note…

Answer 2

… a term applied to a chronological record of interactions, observations and actions relating to a particular client.

Question 3

A report…

Answer 3

… includes a summary and analysis, and is usually a synthesis to communicate with other professionals.

Question 4

Reflection:

Answer 4

• Prior to writing a report/case note, the social worker should consider: who am I communicating with, whose interests does this serve, what are we assessing, who needs to know?

Question 5

Ethical considerations:

Answer 5

• Do I have a record of the client’s informed consent for me to release this information?
• Am I sure of the accuracy of my information and assessment?
• What other parties may be affected by my report?
• How will the information be stored and accessed?

Question 6

Limits to confidentiality: client reports and records can be accessed without the worker’s or the client’s consent by:

Answer 6

• Court subpoenas.
• Legislations.
• Notification of children at risk.
• Police (sometimes).
• Mental health services (sometimes).

Question 7

What is considered relevant?

Answer 7

The purpose of the report, the context of the practice, and the ethical considerations will effect…

• language
• structure
• the relevant information

Question 8

Report structure and content:

Answer 8

• Your agency, qualifications, job title and experience.
• Client identifying information (address, date of birth, record number).
• Presenting problem/issue.
• Referral agent.
• Description of the household.
• Succinct overview of the intervention undertaken.
• Analysis and evaluation.

Question 9

Case note content and structure:

Answer 9

Written up soon after contact; therefore, it is a timely account of the worker’s interaction. It includes…

• Presenting behaviours/issues
• Duration of contact
• Goals of contact
• Model & method of intervention used
• Progress in achieving goals
• Future goals or plans and estimated number of sessions
• Summary of the workers assessment of the individual and their social/structural situation (strengths and difficulties).