Case Management Model
The Case Management Model is a coordinated, person-centred approach in which
a social worker assesses an individual's needs, plans and coordinates services,
monitors progress and reviews outcomes to ensure that support is effective,
proportionate and responsive to changing circumstances. Rather than delivering
all interventions directly, the case manager works collaboratively with
individuals, families and multiple agencies to ensure that services are integrated
and focused on achieving agreed outcomes. Within social work, case
management is widely used in adult social care, children's services, mental
health, learning disability services, safeguarding and hospital discharge,
promoting continuity of care, partnership working and person-centred practice.
The Case Management Model emerged during the 1970s and 1980s in response
to increasing recognition that individuals with complex needs often required
support from multiple agencies. As health and social care services became more
specialised, coordination became increasingly important to prevent fragmented
care and duplication of services. In the United Kingdom, case management
became closely associated with care management following the NHS and
Community Care Act 1990, which introduced structured assessment and
coordinated care planning within adult social care. Today, case management
remains a core function of social work across a wide range of practice settings.
A central principle of the Case Management Model is that individuals should
receive coordinated rather than fragmented care. Many people have
interconnected health, psychological, social and practical needs that require
collaboration between professionals. The case manager ensures that services
communicate effectively and work towards shared goals.
The model generally follows five key stages.
1. Assessment
The process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the individual's:
Needs.
Strengths.
Risks.
Wishes and preferences.
Family and community support.
, Eligibility for services.
Assessment considers the person's physical, psychological, social and
environmental circumstances using a holistic, strengths-based approach.
2. Planning
Following assessment, the practitioner develops a care or support plan in
partnership with the individual.
Planning includes:
Agreed outcomes.
Identified interventions.
Allocation of responsibilities.
Timescales for review.
Contingency planning where appropriate.
Goals should be person-centred and outcome-focused.
3. Coordination
The case manager arranges and coordinates services required to meet the
individual's needs.
This may include referrals to:
Health services.
Mental health teams.
Occupational therapy.
Housing providers.
Community organisations.
Advocacy services.
Voluntary sector organisations.
Financial or welfare support.
The practitioner acts as the central point of communication between agencies.
4. Monitoring
The case manager monitors whether interventions are being delivered effectively
and whether outcomes are being achieved.
Monitoring involves:
The Case Management Model is a coordinated, person-centred approach in which
a social worker assesses an individual's needs, plans and coordinates services,
monitors progress and reviews outcomes to ensure that support is effective,
proportionate and responsive to changing circumstances. Rather than delivering
all interventions directly, the case manager works collaboratively with
individuals, families and multiple agencies to ensure that services are integrated
and focused on achieving agreed outcomes. Within social work, case
management is widely used in adult social care, children's services, mental
health, learning disability services, safeguarding and hospital discharge,
promoting continuity of care, partnership working and person-centred practice.
The Case Management Model emerged during the 1970s and 1980s in response
to increasing recognition that individuals with complex needs often required
support from multiple agencies. As health and social care services became more
specialised, coordination became increasingly important to prevent fragmented
care and duplication of services. In the United Kingdom, case management
became closely associated with care management following the NHS and
Community Care Act 1990, which introduced structured assessment and
coordinated care planning within adult social care. Today, case management
remains a core function of social work across a wide range of practice settings.
A central principle of the Case Management Model is that individuals should
receive coordinated rather than fragmented care. Many people have
interconnected health, psychological, social and practical needs that require
collaboration between professionals. The case manager ensures that services
communicate effectively and work towards shared goals.
The model generally follows five key stages.
1. Assessment
The process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the individual's:
Needs.
Strengths.
Risks.
Wishes and preferences.
Family and community support.
, Eligibility for services.
Assessment considers the person's physical, psychological, social and
environmental circumstances using a holistic, strengths-based approach.
2. Planning
Following assessment, the practitioner develops a care or support plan in
partnership with the individual.
Planning includes:
Agreed outcomes.
Identified interventions.
Allocation of responsibilities.
Timescales for review.
Contingency planning where appropriate.
Goals should be person-centred and outcome-focused.
3. Coordination
The case manager arranges and coordinates services required to meet the
individual's needs.
This may include referrals to:
Health services.
Mental health teams.
Occupational therapy.
Housing providers.
Community organisations.
Advocacy services.
Voluntary sector organisations.
Financial or welfare support.
The practitioner acts as the central point of communication between agencies.
4. Monitoring
The case manager monitors whether interventions are being delivered effectively
and whether outcomes are being achieved.
Monitoring involves:
