SW-Working with

Invidual and Family D

PROFESSOR:

Gaudencia Melon Tinagan, RSW, MSSW

5 lecture
th
 Types of social work
professional writing

Process recording Journal writing Summary recording

Narrative Recording statement of the problem assessment statement

Process recording

• A detailed account of what took place, of the client’s

progress or the conversation between the worker and
the client.

• Is method in which the worker record all the

communications, both verbal and non verbal, spoken
and observed through an interview

• It is a legal requirements and part of staff’s

professional duty that promotes continuity of care and
communication with other agency
Journal writing

• Is simply the act of informal writing as a

regular practice

• It allows you to write down your experiences

and thoughts and use them to identify your
future goals and aims

• Offer you a pathway into our highest sense of

truth, well-being and vitality
 Summary recording

• A recapitulation of material which has

already appeared in previous records; it is
good device for organizing and analyzing
facts and for evaluating the progress made
so far
 Narrative Recording
• The reporting of facts and events; it may be
condensed, processed or reported step by
step

• Support openness and transparency by

documenting and providing evidence of
work activities and by making them
available
Statement of the Problem

• Is a concise description of an issue to be

addressed or a condition to be improved
upon

• It is the difficulty of one person in his

social functioning

• The difficulty is such that no one in the

family or in a group to which he belongs
can help him with it
Statement of the Problem
The estimation of the value or worth of a social
situation: whether the problem can be resolved or not
and how, what resources would be needed, are
available, and can be used. In case work, it is to weigh
and balance assets and liabilities, strengths and
weaknesses, constructive and destructive courses of
action.
 Kindly select which one do you think is a better assessment statement and
indicate your reason why?  
1. Dina is facing a distressing situation being out of school, pregnant and at risk of her safety in the
presence of her father who sexually abused her prior escaping home. Out of survival, she opted to go back
to her father having no other means of external support. Dina, displayed courage and bravery in facing the
situation in spite of her early age. Dina is in need to be transferred to a safer home/facility to eliminate the
risk of being sexually abused again. Her pre-natal needs also needs to be attended to avoid health
complications related to early pregnancy. Since she is pregnant, other alternative delivery mode of
education has to be explored so she could go back to school once she is ready. Being at a high risk
situation, a request for exemption to program condition has to be facilitated so she could receive the cash
grants again.

2. Dina is the youngest of the 4 siblings. They're parents got separated 3 years ago. Dina recently disclosed
that she was sexually abused by her father. She ran away from home once but decided to go back even with
full knowledge of the danger that she can be sexually abused again. Dina is in need to be transferred to a
safer home/facility to eliminate the risk of being sexually abused again. Her pre-natal needs also to be
attended to avoid health complications related to early pregnancy. Since she is pregnant, other alternative
delivery mode of education has to be explored so she could go back to school once she is ready.
 Kindly select which one do you think is a better assessment statement and
indicate your reason why?  

1. Dina is facing a distressing situation being out of school, pregnant and at risk of her safety in the presence of her father who
sexually abused her prior escaping home. Out of survival, she opted to go back to her father having no other means of external
support. Dina, displayed courage and bravery in facing the situation in spite of her early age. Dina is in need to be transferred
to a safer home/facility to eliminate the risk of being sexually abused again. Her pre-natal needs also needs to be attended to
avoid health complications related to early pregnancy. Since she is pregnant, other alternative delivery mode of education has
to be explored so she could go back to school once she is ready. Being at a high risk situation, a request for exemption to
program condition has to be facilitated so she could receive the cash grants again.

2. Dina is the youngest of the 4 siblings. They're parents got separated 3 years ago. Dina recently disclosed that she was
sexually abused by her father. She ran away from home once but decided to go back even with full knowledge of the danger
that she can be sexually abused again. Dina is in need to be transferred to a safer home/facility to eliminate the risk of being
sexually abused again. Her pre-natal needs also to be attended to avoid health complications related to early pregnancy. Since
she is pregnant, other alternative delivery mode of education has to be explored so she could go back to school once she is
ready.
Case Assessment #1 is Better Statement because of
the following reason 
1. Displays professional Judgement of the case worker on the coping
capacities of the client to her stressful situation .

2. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the client.

3. Identification of Internal and External resources of the CLIENT to

include her support system.

4. Summarizes the key recommendations in addressing the

case.
 Components of case assessment statement by McMahon:

1. Opening statement: Who has the

problem and why the problem exist at this
time?
 
It answers the “whys”…for example, why is the person seeking assistance/ help? The
“why” may consist of immediate problems influenced or may be a result of series of
problems. Possible cause of problem may be brought by personal, structural or societal
factors… the MOST directly related to the problem is the cause that is cited in the
assessment statement.
 Components of case assessment statement by McMahon:

2.Change potential statement: presentation factors which may affect resolution of the
problem.
These factors are: problem, person, environment.
Problem Person Environment
Can this problem be resolved? What is her/his/their Is the environment can help promote
motivation/capacity for change? the necessary changes?
 
   
Is the nature of the problem
irreversible? Are they able to cope alone or What restraining forces are those
accept help from others? that are stronger than supportive
  resources?
 
How long has the problem been  
going on, who are involved and to What is their change potential?
what extent? With the optimum use of resources,
  what is the expected outcome?
 
 Components of case assessment statement by McMahon:

3. Judgment about the seriousness or urgency of

the problem.  
To what extent is this a life-or-death matter for the person
concerned? Life endangering situations requires the workers’
immediate attention.
Reference:

 
Social Welfare and Social Work Third Edition, Thelma Lee Mendoza, p. 202-204
Thank you