Casework practice in out-of-home care involves working with the children and youth in placement and with their families. It includes assessing strengths and needs, developing case plans (also called service plans, treatment plans, and permanency plans), implementing and monitoring case plan activities, and closing cases.
These tasks often are accomplished through teamwork. Team members may include the case manager; the parents; the foster parent, relative caregiver, or residential staff (depending on where the child is placed); treatment providers (such as counselors); and others. Casework practice involves frequent contact between the caseworker and child or family to work together toward achieving the goals identified in the case plan. Often, children and families are referred to community services to assist them in achieving their goals.
- Caseworker visits with children and youth in out-of-home care
- Connecting children and youth in out-of-home care to services
- Working with parents with children/youth in out-of-home care
- Supporting parent-child visits
- Helping children and families with separation and loss
- Legal issues in out-of-home care
- Social media in out-of-home care