A welfare assessment is a report written by the social worker to assess a user's educational, occupational, mental health, and substance abuse needs. For this purpose, it is necessary to organize an interview with the user and with other significant figures who are aware of his history and his current needs. The final report includes the objectives that the person must set himself to solve his problems and a description of the therapeutic path that the operator recommends to take to help him achieve these objectives.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Collect Information
Step 1. Schedule interviews
Much of the information present in a welfare assessment comes from reports on meetings with all parties involved in the case.
It begins with an interview with the user himself. If possible, also arrange to meet family members, former employers, doctors, teachers, and others who can provide you with information about your situation
Step 2. Study the documentation
You can gather additional information by consulting the most relevant documentation, i.e. psychiatric reports, report cards, aptitude tests, medical examinations and tax documents.
Keep track of all sources used to compile the assessment. You need to write down who you interviewed, relevant events you witnessed, and any documents you have consulted
Step 3. Conduct interviews in a reassuring atmosphere
The most important aspect of the evaluation is to create an atmosphere with the user and with the other people involved that encourages them to express themselves freely and sincerely. Try to get as much information as possible about their needs and the resources needed to meet them.
- Create a serene and reassuring atmosphere, pausing to explain the rules on confidentiality. In general, all information obtained during the interview remains within the office and no one is authorized to disclose it outside.
- To stimulate a positive response, focus on the user's strengths. Don't blame him. Find mediation ground with him to produce a mutually agreeable assessment.
- If you encounter resistance, keep an optimistic attitude so as not to discourage the user. Always be polite, punctual, and thoughtful. Avoid slang expressions.
Step 4. Ask open-ended questions, which need to be answered in detail
The questions to which it is sufficient to answer "yes" or "no" are not sufficient to gather the information necessary to write an evaluation and to draw up a therapeutic project. For example, instead of asking him if he is angry with someone, ask him to explain what emotions he feels.
Keep an assessment form handy during the interview. You will find specific questions written on it. Using an assessment form will help you set up the interview correctly and take comprehensive notes. Many structures have their own forms, made available during the interviews
Part 2 of 2: Writing the Evaluation
Step 1. Recognize the flexibility of the writing process
There is no one-size-fits-all way to write an assessment. This consideration can be a little anxious because you have to find your own expressive mode, but, in fact, it allows you to write by choosing the form that seems most suitable for the specific context.
- Enter as much information as possible. Describe the user's appearance, if he is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions, his level of cleanliness, his ability to look in the eyes and his mental state (awareness of the place, the moment, the situation in which he is and of the person you are dealing with).
- Many facilities offer standard assessment templates that can guide you in transcribing user information. Some examples of typical categories of an evaluation: "presentation of the problem"; "evolution of the problem"; "personal history"; "development of substance abuse"; "family history"; "work and education"; "therapeutic summary and recommendations".
- Other examples: "identify information"; "referral to …"; "data sources"; "general description of the user"; "family composition and context"; "education"; "work and professional skills"; "religious involvement"; "health conditions"; "psychological profile"; "social, recreational and community activities"; "basic needs"; "legal problems"; "strengths"; "clinical summary"; "objectives and recommendations".
Step 2. Check for the problem
The basic function of an evaluation is to determine the objectives of the social assistance intervention on the user. The reports are generally written in narrative form, suitable for telling the story of his current problems, indicating the times and methods of onset and their evolution. It is important that this happens without affecting his sensitivity.
It is generally best to avoid using diagnostic techniques, such as "borderline personality disorder". It could offend the user. Rather, a specific characterization of the individual is much more useful
Step 3. Identify strengths and possible solutions
Make every effort to verify the personal resources and strengths of the user and the community in which they live. Think about how to use them for the purpose of improving your condition.
Set achievable, limited-duration goals with you. If, for example, it is a question of quitting drugs, your treatment recommendations should include referral to a substance abuse recovery program, which includes attending a number of meetings and prescribing a series of tests. random toxicology, with a deadline for the completion of the program
Step 4. Take an "green" approach to the user
Remember that the social "ecology" of the context exerts a strong influence on him, which includes the family, school, workplace, community and, in general, the socio-cultural context in which he operates. Keep in mind the weight of all these factors on his needs and on the possible contribution of individual resources to problem solving, placing the user in a broader perspective.
Compare the user's perception of their problems, needs, strengths and weaknesses with the perception of the same by the other people you consulted to prepare the assessment. The comparison allows you to understand more deeply his goals and his therapeutic needs
Step 5. Use assessment as an integral part of the therapeutic process
Use the moment of evaluation as a valuable opportunity to reflect more fully on how to improve the user's situation. Share the final summary with him. This will encourage him to reassess his situation and can help him come to a conclusion on his own on the best way to proceed. Try to mediate rather than unilaterally impose your point of view.
After writing and discussing the evaluation with the user, he already makes an appointment for a subsequent interview, to evaluate his progress in pursuing the individual objectives. Periodically review the assessment to analyze its progress
Advice
- A social welfare assessment can also be defined as a "needs assessment" or "mental health assessment".
- If it is mainly a question of analyzing alcohol and drug problems, we can speak of "substance abuse assessment".
