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4
National Standards of Practice for Case Management
Standard
Clients who meet the eligibility criteria for case
management are identified and an assessment is
completed.
Rationale
An element of screening occurs to determine the initial
needs of the Client. These needs and risk stratification
are matched against the eligibility criteria of the program
providing case management, and the Case Manager then
completes an assessment.
Interpretation
Standard Onemay include, but is not limited to, the phases
of Screening, Assessing and Stratifying Risk.
Case Managers and Clients may be linked through
processes of referral or outreach. In some programs,
participation in a case management program may be
mandated. Case identification involves the collection and
screeningof informationabout perceivedClient needsand/
or risks. Stratifying Client risk may also be combined with
the Assessing phase depending on the case management
setting. Case Identification (screening) results in a
decision to either accept or decline case management
services for a person based on appropriateness within the
aims and objectives of the case management program.
Assessment is a phase that underpins all subsequent case
management actions. It is an ongoing phase of gathering
and appraising data from various sources to identify
areas where the Case Manager and Client will focus their
efforts. The depth of an assessment will be determined by
the limitations of the case management program.
The identification of needs commences during the
assessment phase and may be facilitated through actions
such as interviews and risk assessments. The Case
Manager listens to, respects and documents the Client’s
individual, diverseandspecial needs, includingaspirations
choices, expectations, motivations, preferences and
values.
Stratifying risk is undertaken by the Case Manager for the
purpose of determining (as applicable) the appropriate
level of required intervention/s; based on the Client’s
situation, special needs and interests. This action allows
for the implementation, in partnership with the Client, of
targeted risk category-based interventions to enhance
Client outcomes. The categories of risk vary depending on
the risk assessment tool/model applied inaccordancewith
the agency, program and/or funding body guidelines.
Guidelines
Case Managers are expected to:
1A
Ensure that Clients understand their rights and
responsibilities, supported by evidence of Clients
consenting to be involved in the program providing
case management.
1B
Gather information about Clients while respecting
their confidentiality and privacy with the aim of not
duplicating assessments.
1C
Identify and prioritise the Client’s initial needs to
inform more comprehensive assessment once initial
screening is completed. The CaseManager and Client
focus on areas within a defined model (appropriate
for the specific case management program), that
may influence the Client’s holistic needs.
1D
Understand the Client’s individual, diverse and/
or special needs so that appropriate services and
support for Client development occurs.
1E
Stratify and analyse risk factors that the Client
experiences/may experience.
1F
Communicate those needs which fall within the aims
and objectives of the program (including any third
party restrictions).
1G
Consider the Client’s current situation, probable
future situation and ensuing holistic needs.
1H
Communicate the criteria for disengagement with
Client.
1I
Hold a valid license/certificate to practise, and/or
evidence of the necessary skills and qualifications
to undertake the case management role pursuant
to the relevant specifications and/or mandatory
requirements of a professional body, agency, case
management program and/or funding body.
STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
One – Case Identification (screening) and Assessment