How to Learn Contract Goals in Social Work

Social workers often strive to meet specific goals.

"Contract goals" in the field of social work and counseling can mean one of several things. Often, there are larger goals for a position listed in a person's new-hire materials or perhaps even on the actual contract. However, there may also be specific case goals for individual projects or clients that need to be fulfilled. According to "Social Workers' Desk Reference," by Albert R. Roberts, since the inception of social work in the early 20th century, the profession "... has grown dramatically from a charitable enterprise to a helping profession developed both as an art and science of practice."

Instructions

1. Review your contract or case material carefully. Look for contract goals that have been created for you.

2. Discuss the goals with your supervisors. Ask them to explain the reasoning behind the goals and what sort of response they expect out of you and your work.

3. Outline specific benchmarks or ways of accomplishing the goals. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problems and client issues you are encountering or anticipate seeing.

4. Create your own broad outcomes or goals for individual cases or clients. It might be as simple as improving someone's well being or living situation or helping him find housing or a job.

5. Focus your daily work on the specific goals. Ask yourself how each task will move you and your client closer to a positive outcome.

6. Assess whether you've met your goals once a case appears to be moving along or reaches a plateau. Attempt any final actions that can help you succeed or improve the ultimate outcome.

Tips & Warnings

• Social work cannot always be broken down into concrete goals, because many issues are more complicated or nuanced; don't expect to work in this simplified manner all the time.

References

• "Social Workers' Desk Reference"; Albert R. Roberts; 2008