Human Services Case Management Definition

Case management is a broad category that fits within the larger field of human services. Generally, case management involves coordination of care, advocacy and discharge planning; however, counseling and therapeutic support may also be offered. Case management aims to assist the individual to navigate social service systems and attain the highest quality of care.

Settings

• Case management is practiced in a variety of social service settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, mental health facilities and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, among others. The goals of case management as well as the services provided depend on the particular setting. For instance, a case manager at a drug rehabilitation program may help a client secure a home at a sober house, attain a bus voucher, find local 12-step support groups and make referrals for psychiatric services.

Functions

• The primary function of case management is to increase the quality of life of the individual client. However, case management may perform many functions. A case manager will assess the client to find the areas in which assistance is needed and connect clients with appropriate services, depending on need.

Benefits

• Case management services have many potential benefits for individuals and families. Although case management is often viewed as simply making referrals for services, there are other possible benefits as well. For instance, social work case management, specifically, offers therapeutic support to clients who may be dealing with diverse psychosocial problems. Case managers may also serve the function of collaborating with interdisciplinary treatment teams. In this capacity, case management may help to ensure that psychiatric and medical professionals understand the wishes of the individual.

Misconceptions

• There is some debate about which type of professionals may be best suited to be case managers. For instance, according to the National Association of Social Workers, professionals with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work are most suited to case management. Although many case managers do have a background in social work, people with other professional degrees, such as nursing and gerontology, may have unique skills that contribute to good case management.

Standards

• According to the Case Management Society of America, standards and certifications exist for case managers of all backgrounds in order to implement professional standards within the field. The National Association of Social Work also offers standards for professional practice of case management that focus on assessment, interventions, treatment planning, coordination of care and collaboration as well as ethical issues.