Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services

Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services (4^th ed.) by Nancy Summers was published in 2012. The book provides a deep explanation of the case management process including assessment, intake, termination, and referrals. The book is divided into 28 chapters, which are further subdivided into sections providing better understanding of the topic covered. It focuses on the most essential facts that should be taken into account during the human services process. The chapters uncover the issues related to professional ethics, provide a clear definition of case management, explain the application of the ecological model, discuss cultural competence and effective skill combination. In addition, the book highlights the steps of developing a service plan for the change and recovery at the case management unit. It also emphasizes that proper monitoring and recording of the services as well as development of clear goals and objectives are vital. All chapters help to understand each step of the case management process providing practical exercises that place the reader in challenging and real-life circumstances.

The book is a guide that describes the context of modern case management services, identifies and analyzes the intervention methods of the case management, demonstrates documentation and recording skills with the help of written assignments, shows the skills of the case management making emphasis on culture and ethnicity as well as analyzes the case manager’s role in the sphere of human service delivery.

Case management has been defined as the work with a client to help him/her access certain services and clarifying the client’s goals. It can be successfully done through the use of certain skills. Good understanding of the client ensures effective support and good changes. It is necessary for case managers to be aware of numerous services and support groups in their communities (Summers, 2012, p. 350).

The book helped me to understand the process of case management and the skills required for it. The information about the process of preparation for a disposition planning meeting and a service planning conference is really interesting; it may be used in different spheres of a student’s life. Valuable knowledge about effective communication is vital for all people who intend to work in the sphere of human services. Therefore, it is extremely essential to create a safe environment in which clients can make changes in their life (Summers, 2012, p. 225).

I find that Chapter 1 is the most essential for students as it covers the issue of professional ethics and responsibilities for human service workers. The first thing every worker has to know is ethics and responsibility as they are the basis of good human service practice. A person who is called a professional should work within ethical parameters. A true case management professional has a profound understanding of his/her ethical obligations and seeks guidance in case of unawareness. Failure to know and follow the ethical guidelines leads to the dismissal from an agency or even a civil suit brought against a worker for the ethical code violation that damaged the client’s welfare. While choosing the line of work, people choose to work with vulnerable individuals who do not know their rights and may fail to protect themselves. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the human resource case management to properly treat clients and provide them with high quality services under the highest standards of ethical values (Summers, 2012, p. 34).

Thus, the book is informative and provides useful information for those who intend to work in the sphere of human resource case management. Moreover, it may be helpful for all people engaged in the work with clients.