TOOLS IN SOCIAL WORK

3. RECORDS
 the importance of keeping records is to be able to identify the clients being served, to
determine the kind of services rendered to them, to keep track and monitor progress of
the clients, and serve as basis for evaluation and decision-making.

TYPES OF RECORDS PREPARED BY SOCIAL WORKERS AND SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES

Intake Forms- reports containing data obtained prior to admission and entering into a helping
relationship

Summary records- entries of information obtained as part of the data gathering stage in
problem-solving

Survey Reports- contains findings about the community situation indicating the data, place,
and source of data

Case Study- report summarizing the obtained information about the client and his/her
environment, a synthesis about the data acquired from different sources where the problem has
been stated and defined, the goals, and objectives to be prepared are clearly stated and the
specific means on how to achieve the goals indicated

Summarized Process- recordings should contain considerable details about the client of
interviews, conferences, and other contacts with clients in the sequence which it took place,
including the reactions and responses of both client and worker, followed by the worker’s
assessment of what transpired

Progress Notes/Reports- accounts of the client’s activities and engagements as well as the
sign of developments noted by the worker and significant others in the client’s life

Case Conference Reports- an account of the proceedings or a summary of recommendations

from the helping/intervention team composed of social workers, teachers,
psychologist/guidance counselor, medical personnel and significant others during a case
conference

Home visitation/Home Study Records- a report containing vital information assessment

about the client’s family, the home atmosphere, the physical structure, and the significant
others as well as the relation of the family to the community and the community life in general

Periodic Evaluative Summaries- includes statement about the major developments that
have occurred

Transfer Summaries- a report prepared if the case will be transferred to another worker or
unit which may include recommendations or the course of action
Final Evaluative Statement- focuses on the extent to which goals/objectives spelled out in
the Case Study have been accomplished/not accomplished and the need for termination or
continuation of service

After Care Reports- a report prepared six months to one year after the reintegration or
reunification of the client to her/his family, placement to an adoptive or foster family,
movement of the client to another agency or while the client is in transition to independent
living

Closing Summary- a report prepared once the case has been closed or officially terminated
due to various reasons

4. COMMUNITY RESOURCES
 social work practice also necessitates the use of concrete community resources which
include the programs and services offered by different agencies and organizations. It
may be offered under public (e.g. DOH), semipublic (e.g. the Philippine Mental Health
Association which is funded by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), and private
(e.g. Plan International) sponsorship.

LEVELS OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 Local (e.g. Manila Department of Social Welfare)
 National (e.g. Department of Social Welfare and Development)
 International (e.g. United Nation Children’s Fund)

5. PROGRAM/PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

 In social work practice, some authors would define program or program activities as
means and context for treatment. The term refers to everything that happens in the life
of the group or activities that entail a certain amount of definite planning on the part of
the group or the worker or both. It denotes a general class of activities, of which, each
consists an interrelated chain of social behaviors. More often than not, it is infused with
meanings and is directed by performance standards from the larger culture (Vinter1974
as cited in Mendoza, 2002).

6. ECOLOGICAL MAP (ECO-MAP)

 Is a simple paper-and-pencil simulation that has been developed as an assessment,

planning, and intervention tool.This tool depicts the family or individual in the life space
and allows us to see the client not as an isolated entity for study but as a part of a
complex ecological system. It shows connections, themes, and quality of the individual’s
family life which lead to a more holistic and integrative perception. It also leads to an
increased understanding and acceptance of the self on the part of the client.