© British Association of Social Workers
Models of Assessment in Social Work
Jeff Hopkins is a lecturer in social work, presently teaching social casework theory on the CQSW course at Keele University. He has been a tutor to social work courses at Keele since 1965, and was formerly a senior child care officer in West Suffolk.
Summary
The provision of a social work service depends significantly upon assessment of the social situation of clients as determined by social workers. It is argued that the social worker's understanding of the social situation is framed within a particular way of thinking about cause and effect. Three different models of such thinking are used in practice. They are identified as the linear model, systems analysis and the management model. The origins and attributes of each model are described and related to the social, economic and political environments which have influenced their separate developments. The value base underlying each model is explored. Issues relating to the present position of social work are clarified.