The Author of Principles of Social Case Recording

  Questions Asked in UGC NET Social Work

Who is the author of Principles of Social Case Recording published in 1946?

(Question asked in the year 2021 Questions No-7 ) 

The author of Principles of Social Case Recording published in 1946 is Gordon Hamilton. He was a social work theorist and educator who taught at the Columbia University School of Social Work for over 30 years. Hamilton is considered one of the pioneers of social casework, and his book Principles of Social Case Recording is considered a classic text in the field.

In Principles of Social Case Recording, Hamilton discusses the purpose of social casework, the different types of social casework, and the process of social casework recording. He also provides a detailed analysis of the different elements of a social casework record, such as the client's social history, the social worker's assessment of the client's situation, and the social worker's plan for helping the client.

Principles of Social Case Recording has been translated into several languages and is still used as a textbook in social work schools around the world. It is considered an essential resource for anyone who wants to learn more about social casework.

About Social case recording 

Social case recording is the process of documenting the interactions between a social worker and a client. It is used to track the client's progress, identify areas of need, and develop and evaluate treatment plans. One of the most influential texts on social case recording is Principles of Social Case Recording by Gordon Hamilton. First published in 1946, Hamilton's book is still considered a classic in the field of social work.

In this blog post, we will discuss the key principles of social case recording as outlined by Gordon Hamilton. We will also explore the relevance of his work to social work practice today.

Key Principles of Social Case Recording

Hamilton identified five key principles of social case recording:

1. Purpose: The purpose of social case recording is to provide a record of the social worker's work with the client. It should be comprehensive and objective, and it should be used to track the client's progress and identify areas of need.
2. Content: The content of a social case record should include information about the client's background, history, current situation, and goals. It should also include the social worker's assessment of the client's situation and the social worker's plan for helping the client.
3. Format: There is no right format for a social case record. However, Hamilton suggested that records should be organised chronologically and that they should be clear, concise, and easy to read.
4. Style: The style of a social case record should be professional and objective. The social worker should avoid using personal opinions or biases in their writing.
5. Use: Social case records should be used to track the client's progress, identify areas of need, and develop and evaluate treatment plans. They can also be used to communicate with other professionals involved in the client's care.

Relevance of Hamilton's Work to Social Work Practise Today

Hamilton's work on social case recording is still relevant to social work practice today. The five principles he outlined provide a framework for social workers to use when documenting their work with clients.

In addition, Hamilton's emphasis on the importance of objectivity and clarity in social case recording is still important today. Social workers need to be able to document their work in a way that is accurate and easy to understand.

Finally, Hamilton's recognition of the importance of social case recording as a tool for communication is still relevant today. Social workers need to be able to use social case records to communicate with other professionals involved in the client's care.

Conclusion

Gordon Hamilton's Principles of Social Case Recording is a classic text that has had a significant impact on the field of social work. The five principles he outlined provide a framework for social workers to use when documenting their work with clients. His work is still relevant to social work practice today, and it continues to be used by social workers around the world.

Do you have any questions about social case recording? Please feel free to leave a comment below.