Social work assessments are reports written by social workers to evaluate their clients' educational background, mental health, possible substance abuse, or professional needs. To make a social work assessment, you will first need to conduct interviews with the client and several other people who know the client's background and needs. In the assessment report, you should also list the various goals that the client must achieve to resolve the problem, as well as the types of care and assistance you recommend to help the client achieve these goals.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Gathering Information
Step 1. Determine the interview schedule
Remember, most of the information you include in the assessment sheet generally comes from parties who are directly related to the case in question.
Therefore, start by interviewing people who need your services. If possible, also interview family members, other social workers who have worked in similar cases, psychiatrists, teachers, and/or others who can broaden your perspective on the client's situation
Step 2. Review the documents
You will receive additional information by reviewing various important documents such as track record of his psychological condition, educational documentation, medical test results, etc.
Save all the documents you have. Your assessment report should include the names of the interviewees, the events you managed to observe, and the documents you reviewed
Step 3. Conduct the interview in a safe environment
Keep in mind that you must create an atmosphere that is able to encourage clients and/or other sources to provide correct information. Focus on getting information about the client's needs and what resources can help you meet those needs.
- Make the client feel safe and comfortable by first explaining the applicable confidentiality rules. In general, emphasize that all information you receive will only be used for the purpose of the assessment report and will not be shared with unauthorized persons.
- To get a positive response, focus on finding the client's strengths instead of sounding judgmental and/or blaming. In addition, make sure all the results of your assessment are known and also agreed upon by him.
- When the client shows signs of resistance, display an optimistic attitude to motivate him. In addition, make sure you are always polite, punctual, and considerate to the client in question. Avoid using jargon that is difficult for him to understand!
Step 4. Ask open-ended questions to get detailed answers
Asking closed-ended questions that can only be answered with a 'yes' and 'no' will make it difficult for you to obtain the various information needed to make a comprehensive assessment report; as a result, you will also find it difficult to set goals and develop a treatment plan for the client. Therefore, instead of asking if your client is angry with someone, ask him to explain how he feels about that person.
Always hold your assessment form during the interview. Remember, the assessment form contains specific and detailed questions; reading it will help you to focus even if you have to take down important additional information
Method 2 of 2: Writing an Assessment
Step 1. Realize that writing is a flexible process
There are no specific rules for writing a correct appraisal report. It may be difficult at first, especially since you are required to find your own way; but in truth, this discretion allows you to choose the method that best suits your specific case.
- Write down as much information as possible. Describe the client's appearance (including the suitability of the way he dresses with the surrounding situation), the client's cleanliness, his ability to maintain eye contact, and his mental orientation or sensitivity to the surrounding environment.
- Many institutions have standardized formats that require you to describe specific client-specific information. One of the common categories in the assessment report includes: “problem presentation,” “problem history,” “client history,” “substance abuse history,” “family history,” “education and employment history,” and “summary of care and recommendations provided. needed."
- Other examples include: “identification of information,” “referrals,” “current problems,” “data sources,” “general description of the client,” “family background and structure,” “educational background,” “occupational background and skills,” “involvement in religious activities,” “health conditions,” “psychological background,” “social and recreational activities,” “basic needs in life,” “legal issues,” “client strengths,” “clinical summary,” “clinical summary,” and “goals and recommendations.”
Step 2. Determine the problem the client is facing
The most basic function in an appraisal report is to determine the objectives to be achieved by the client concerned. Generally, reports are prepared in a narrative format to tell the problem that is being faced by the client, as well as how the history of the problem has arisen. Write reports carefully so as not to offend your clients!
Do not include a technical diagnosis, such as borderline personality disorder. Be careful, terms like that can hurt your clients! Moreover, such technical terms will not be able to provide a specific and detailed description of your client
Step 3. Find strengths and solutions
Seek to know the client's strengths and weaknesses, and the communities they belong to. Believe me, both are information that can be used to improve the client's condition.
Set specific goals for the client; make sure the goal has a deadline and he can achieve it. If the goal is for the client to stop using illegal drugs, include references to the recovery program the client must follow and complete within a certain time
Step 4. Consider your client's living environment
Remember, your client's life is highly dependent on broader social “ecological” influences; in other words, the family environment, education, work, and community can greatly influence the needs of the client's life. In fact, it's possible that the ecological environment can contribute to solving the problems your clients are facing.
Compare the client's perception of his problems, needs, and weaknesses with those of your other sources. This comparison is able to make you understand the client's needs as well as their goals and treatment needs in more depth
Step 5. Make the assessment part of the therapy process
Take this opportunity to think carefully about what you can do to improve the client's situation. After that, share the results of your assessment with the client; encourage him to evaluate the situation and find a solution on his own. Try to come to a compromise instead of imposing your judgment unilaterally.
Schedule a further meeting with the client after you have written and discussed the results of the assessment with him. Remember, follow-up meetings need to be held so you can track the client's progress towards achieving his goals. Review your assessment periodically to record and evaluate the client's progress
Tips
- A social work assessment may also be referred to as a needs assessment or a client's mental health assessment.
- An assessment that focuses solely on the client's condition of dependence on drugs and alcohol is referred to as a substance abuse evaluation.
