Module 6

1. CASE MANAGEMENT TRAINING PACKAGE
Module 6.
Gathering information on a social case and
organising it into a well-structured
social personal dossier

2. The definition of social need
Case management starts from
a particular definition of social need:
it can be said that a social need exists
when a person or a family doesn‟t have a strong enough
network to cope in an adequate way with the tasks which
a certain society expects them to perform.
The awareness that a social need exists can be shared
or not between the person/family in need (client) and
his/her social and institutional network.
All this has been explored in depth in module
four of this training, which analytically
discussed the case of Judith.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 2

3. Three different degrees of social need
1. No social need exists, but it is very likely
that it will occur in the future; we can do
something to prevent this eventuality.
2. A social need already exists, and it is likely
that, as a result, other more serious social
needs will arise in the future; we have to
remove the present need, in order to
prevent other needs arising.
3. A chronic social need exists and we cannot
overcome it: nevertheless, we have to
prevent further related problems.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 3

4. The evaluation of social needs from the
perspective of Case Management
“Evaluate” does not mean “judge”, but “give value”;
so, when we make a social evaluation, we do not
concentrate only on the social needs (that is, only
on the personal and social weaknesses) of some
person or family, but also (and firstly) on their
social resources.
Through the application of the methodologies of
Case Management and networking, we can help the
person or the family to “give value” to themselves
and to their social resources.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 4

5. Four kinds of social assessment
1. Social assessment as risk assessment: the findings of the
assessment are addressed in order to prevent a social risk;
2. Social assessment as needs assessment: the findings of the
assessment are addressed to provide the social services which
could improve the life quality of a person or family;
3. Social assessment as gate-keeping: the findings of the
assessment are addressed to decide if an entitlement to
defined social service provision exists or not;
4. Social assessment as “agency assessment”, or assessment of
“the ability to act” of the person or family and their social
network: this is the proper social evaluation, used in case
management methodology.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 5

6. The social needs evaluation in the perspective of
the three previous kinds of social assessment
• Lack or inadequacy of financial income;
• Lack or inadequacy of a home;
• Inadequate parental care;
• Lack of work;
• Social exclusion;
• Health problems;
• Violence within the family;
• Drugs and alcohol abuse;
• Conflict with the law;
• Cultural and educational frailty;
• No self-sufficiency, or a disability;
• Irregular school attendance;
• …
Case Management – module 6 – slide 6

7. The social needs evaluation in the perspective
of Case Management (agency assessment)
The „agency assessment‟ implies a shared analysis (reflecting the perception
of both the assessor and the assessed) of the following life tasks:
• Being self sufficient in daily personal tasks: having the physical skills for taking
care of themselves; having the psychological skills for taking care of
themselves; feeling an adequate sense of self-esteem; and so on.
• Gaining an income: looking for and keeping a job; having competencies and skills;
having an education; showing social abilities; having the skills for managing an
income; and so on.
• Obtaining and managing a house: buying or obtaining an adequate place to live;
dealing with its maintenance and cleanliness; and so on.
• Dealing with own health: having a sensible lifestyle; healing themselves when ill;
and so on.
• Bringing up own children: providing their maintenance; taking care of their
education and health; building a secure life environment for them; ensuring
appropriate affective relationships; and so on.
• Socializing with other members of the community: having a satisfying social
network; having a good relationship with the neighbours; having a good
relationship with the local institutions; and so on.
• Living in a united family: having a good relationship with a partner, in particular
sharing with him/her the daily tasks with regard to home management and
childcare; and so on
Case Management – module 6 – slide 7

8. Who is involved in the social needs
evaluation and solution?
 In the “risk assessment”, “needs assessment”, and
“gate keeping” only the practitioners are involved, and
their opinion and work are indisputable;
 In the “agency assessment” (Case Management
perspective) instead:
 Acknowledgment of the social need is shared between the
client, his/her network (informal and formal)
and the Case Manager;
 The client and his/her social network are involved in the
evaluation;
 The client and his/her social network must have a role in
the problem resolution.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 8

9. An essential tool for the case analysis:
the Social Dossier
Case Management – module 6 – slide 9

10. The structure – in the Case Management
perspective – of the Social Dossier
 The dossier is divided into two parts: the first gathers
information not only about the beneficiary, but also about
his/her social network, environment, community resources;
 The second part covers the social project shared within
the coping network, and some assessment guidelines to
explore the personal and social resources of the
beneficiary, using the areas framework of ICF-WHO:
physical health; affection; carrying out of everyday
activities; education; social contacts; free time and fun;
work; expression of one’s own sexuality;
 The next sheet summarizes the actions
to be undertaken.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 10

11. The compilation – in the Case Management
perspective – of the Social Dossier
 The compilation of the dossier has to be realized by all
the members of the coping network; at least, the
gathering of information must be made and discussed
together (and then the practical compilation is delegated to
CM ), and a language must be used that is understandable
by everyone;
 The compilation is always a work-in-progress, because not
only is the information compiled step by step, but also the
social project changes continuously,
and its recording in the dossier helps the
network towards a real shared description
of the project itself.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 11

12. The use – in the Case Management perspective
– of the Social Dossier
 The dossier is a tool available for all the members of the
coping network, both informal and formal;
 Confidential information can be kept in a separate folder;
 In any case, it is important to remind the members of the
network that they have to respect the privacy of the
people involved, and it is not permitted to share the
information contained in the dossier with people outside the
network.
Case Management – module 6 – slide 12

13. Another essential tool for Case Managers:
the map of social resources
Case Management – module 6 – slide 13

14. Cooperation agreement
(yes/no, terms)
Resources map for Case Management
Timeframe/availability
Type of service (daily
care/professional
consultations/ public-
Case Management – module 6 – slide 14
private/pay-free of
charge)
Contact person details
Location
Name of the
service/person
Area of Service
(health/education/social
protection benefits/child
protection/admin
services)