Definition

Noun: 1. Social work focused on individuals or families: The detailed, individual study and professional management of a person's or family's social, psychological, or personal problems, typically involving direct contact and support to improve their situation.

Usage

Casework is a professional method used primarily in social work, counseling, and related fields. It involves a practitioner (a caseworker) systematically assessing a client's needs, developing a plan for assistance, and providing direct services or coordinating with other resources. The term implies a personalized, in-depth approach to helping individuals or families with complex issues.

Examples

• The social services agency provides intensive casework to help families in crisis secure housing and employment.
• Her job involves casework with at-risk youth, connecting them with mentors and educational programs.
• Effective casework requires strong interpersonal skills and a thorough understanding of community resources.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical casework: A specialized form that integrates therapeutic techniques from psychology or psychiatry into the social work process for deeper psychological intervention.
• To do casework: The common verbal phrase describing the activity of a caseworker.
  • She spends most of her day doing casework, visiting clients in their homes.

Variants and Related Words

• Caseworker (n): The professional who performs casework.
  • The caseworker met with the family every week to monitor their progress.
• Case management (n): A closely related term, often used interchangeably, though it can emphasize the coordination and planning aspects more than the direct therapeutic relationship.

Synonyms

• Social work (specifically direct practice)
• Client services
• Personal counseling (in a social service context)

Antonyms

• Macro practice (social work focused on community or systemic change rather than individuals)
• Policy work
• Administrative work

Related Phrases

• To handle a case: To manage the casework for a specific individual or family.
  • She handles a case load of over 30 families.
• Case load (n): The number of cases a caseworker is responsible for managing at one time.
  • The high case load made it difficult to provide deep casework to every client.

Noun

1. close sociological study of a maladjusted person or family for diagnosis and treatment