What Is a Case Plan?
By Carrie Craft, About.com Guide
Ads
Online Planning ToolSmartsheet.com/PlanningPlan & Track Your Projects Online. Cloud Based & Easy. Try Smartsheet.
Ask a UK Lawyer OnlineJustAnswer.co.ukA UK Lawyer Will Answer You Now! Questions Answered Every 9 Seconds.
Question: What Is a Case Plan?
A case plan is a document used by a social worker when working with children and families in the foster care system. The case plan is an important tool that leads and gives direction to a child's case. A case plan is created at a case plan meeting.
Answer:
During a case plan meeting, the case plan document is written. A goal for the children, such as adoption, reunification with birth family, or evenindependent living, drives the case plan and helps the workers determine the best course of action. Then the workers list objectives in the case plan that need to be met in order to keep the children healthy and to assist the case in reaching the goal.
Case plans may include items such as a child needing to be tested for special education services, doctor's appointments needing to be completed, or individual and family therapy. Each member of the case planning team will have an opportunity to share what they think needs to be added to the case plan.
Members of the case planning team will be responsible for objectives listed on the case plan. A foster parent may be responsible for all doctor appointments, while birth parents will be responsible for their own case objectives, which may include parenting classes, or drug and alcohol treatment. Parent child visitation is also determined during the case plan meeting.
Case plans are usually reviewed every six months.
