In the context of social work, what is a 'case management' approach?

In the context of social work, a 'case management' approach primarily involves coordinating services and resources for clients. This method is crucial for social workers, as it emphasizes the importance of holistic support for individuals by ensuring they have access to the various services they need to achieve their goals. This can include healthcare, housing assistance, employment resources, and psychological support, among others.

A case manager assesses a client's unique situation, identifies their strengths and needs, and connects them to the appropriate services. This role requires strong organizational skills, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and advocacy on behalf of the client to navigate complex service systems. By focusing on coordination, case management helps prevent gaps in care and ensures a streamlined approach to client support, allowing individuals to work towards improved well-being effectively.

The other options—assessing community needs, advising on legal matters, and teaching coping skills—are important aspects of social work but do not encapsulate the primary function of case management, which is specifically about orchestrating various services for clients.