This practicum report discusses the adaptability of problem oriented case planning to casework which is practiced in the Northeast Multnomah County District Office of the Children’s Services Division. Problem oriented case planning is an approach designed to make casework more explicit by specifying the target problem(s), goals(s), tasks and an evaluation scheme which are agreed to and stated in a written contract developed by the participants. Such explicitness is essential to permit agency collection of useful information about its casework and casework programs needed to respond to today’s accountability demands, i.e., demonstration that the agency operates at a reasonable level of problem solving effectiveness and efficiency based on the level of effectiveness. Two instruments were developed to be used in this exploratory study: 1.) the “Service Contract” which embodies the stated case plan and a means to develop it, and 2.) the Caseworker Questionnaire which solicits caseworker reactions to the Service Contract’s use. Caseworkers are asked to voluntarily use the Service Contract during a nine week trial-use period and report their reactions to its use. Data obtained in the study is incomplete because of very limited Service Contract use. The focus of discussion is on caseworker reasons for non-use. This discussion remains somewhat speculative because there is little agreement among caseworkers relative to reasons for non-use. Flaws in the research design e.g., insufficient formal training in Service Contract use and compensation for its use may have significantly impeded additional utilization. Because the data does not support any serious problem with Service Contract use in most caseloads, by most caseworkers, with most clients a more systematic study of the Service Contract using an experimental design is recommended.

M.A. / The Global Social Work Standards as outlined by Sewpaul & Jones (2004) aspire for social work education and training to equip social workers with relevant knowledge and skills. This would enable them to practice in a range of contexts applying different social work methods and techniques, while recognising the interconnectedness that exists within and across all systems at micro, mezzo and macro levels. Human service organisations that employ social workers should ensure adequate provision of resources and professional staff, with a range of expertise and appropriate qualifications to facilitate quality service delivery. As social work practice is interconnected with other systems and does not operate in a vacuum, social workers are often expected to interact with clients, communities or other professionals. They should therefore be competent and able to practice within the value perspective of the profession, guided by the professional code of ethics and values. A social worker’s report is one form of interaction and communication between the social worker and others, among whom are children’s court presiding officers. Children’s courts use social workers reports to assist them in decision making pertaining to matters relating to children. Although social workers are expected to be competent in record keeping and report writing by the time they graduate, the quality of their reports is often questioned by other professionals who use them to assist in decision-making. With this state of affairs, there is growing concern about the quality of social work reports, and the social work fraternity is asking the question, “what are the factors that contribute to the quality of reports compiled by social workers for children’s courts?” and “what should be done to ensure that social workers adhere to standards of proficient report writing?”