About this resource
A good case plan is the client's plan. This template records goals in the client's words, strengths and barriers, actions with who will do them and by when, and review dates, with space for the client's agreement.
Purpose
To create clear, client-led case plans with shared responsibility.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Community services and case workers. Also relevant for social workers, youth workers.
Client or participant group: Adults and young people working with case workers.
Practice setting: Community, housing, justice and youth services.
Suggested uses
- Case management
- Reviewing progress
- Coordinating with other services
- Supervision and file reviews
Instructions for practitioners
- Write goals in the client's words.
- Share actions between client, worker and others.
- Keep actions small and specific.
- Review regularly and celebrate progress.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Say what you want to work on.
- Agree actions.
- Check progress at review.
Accessibility considerations
Interpreters, plain language and flexible completion.
Scope and limitations
A planning template. Follow your organisation's case management and privacy requirements.
Research basis
Case management practice standards describe assessment, planning, coordination, review and planned exits with the person at the centre. Specific goals, if-then plans and regular progress monitoring all improve the chances of reaching goals.
- Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand. (2013). National standards of practice for case management (3rd ed.). https://www.cmsa.org.au/
- Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation Intentions and Goal Achievement: A Meta‐analysis of Effects and Processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 69–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2601(06)38002-1
- Harkin, B., Webb, T. L., Chang, B. P. I., Prestwich, A., Conner, M., Kellar, I., Benn, Y., & Sheeran, P. (2016). Does monitoring goal progress promote goal attainment? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 142(2), 198–229. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000025
- Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.57.9.705
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
