INTRODUCTION After the interviewing process is over the caseworker has the obligation to record the interview.

The language of interview now has to be translated into the language of the record (file, forms, and computer).According to Kadushin recording can be seen as a part of the interview process. Through the act of recording the interview continues in the mind of the interviewer after it is terminated. It is a retrospective living of the encounter. As a consequence the interviewer of necessit has to selectivel decide which aspects of the interview were more significant. WHAT IS A CASE RECORD? A record literall means !a formal writing of an fact or proceeding" and when used as a verb means !to setdown in writing or other permanent form". Taking cue from this we can define case record as a written account of the casework proceedings. #owever, from the above statement one should not conclude that case recording is an eas , routine and simple task, far from it$ it"s a highl skilled and comple% task. &ecording is an important and integral part of casework procedure and is an output of the activit of the casework. The importance of recording lies both in the process as well as the product. 'or, an individual who is planning to become a caseworker, the art of record writing is worth striving to develop and perfect, not onl because case recording is an essential part of good casework and is becoming amore important factor with the increasing comple%it of social treatment, but also because the case record is fortunatel or unfortunatel often used as one of the important inde%es of the caseworkers abilit . A question often asked is, wh do we need to write records( )o the reall serve an purpose( The importance of case records can be ascertained when we look at their functions and the varied purposes the serve. TYPES OF RECORDING 1.Process Record *rocess record is one method b which ou can record the content of an interview. It involves a written record of All +ommunication both verbal and nonverbal (based on the worker"s best recollections),and a record of the worker,s feelings and reflection throughout the interview. Audio or video recordings can also be used, for the case worker to (a)identif client"s feelings during the interview, (b) assess client"s feelings, or (c) present summar comments. 2. Problem Or e!"ed Record !# *roblem-oriented record (*.&) a method of client case record keeping that focuses on specific problems The components of the *.& are/ $%&d%"% b%se which contains information required for each client regardless of diagnosis or presenting problems i.e., all histor , ph sical findings etc$ $b& Problem l s" , 0hich contains the ma1or problems currentl needing attention$ $c& 'l%! , which specifies what is to be done with regard to each problem$ (d) 'ro#ress !o"es ,

which document the observations, assessments, future plans, 2. SU((ATI)E RECORD 3ummative assessment is a summar of all the formative assessment carried out over a long period and makes statements about the client"s progress. 4ffective assessment involves evaluation or decisions about the client"s progress and their gives us the information we need to plan for the ne%t steps. This is called assessment for learning/ it is the formative assessment, based on observations and other forms of evidence, which informs or guides ever da planning. PRINCIP*ES+GUIDE*INES OF RECORDING IN CASEWOR, 5) Accurac , ob1ectivit , simplicit , clarit and brevit should be observed in writing records. 6) 'acts and their interpretation should be distinguished as it leads to ob1ectivit . Inferences should be drawn in an impartial manner without attempting to influence the 1udgment of the reader (e.g., frequent fights between the husband and wife might lead the caseworker to interpret that she dislikes or hates her husband). 2) &ecord must be orderl in its arrangement and it is not possible unless the writer has thought out in advance what should be included and then has set out the material in a logical sequence. 7) A long record is not necessaril a good record. &ecords should neither be too long nor too short. 8) The casework records are not meant to be literar masterpieces, therefore the should be written in simple language and simple st le. 9) A telling verbatim quote can sometimes depict a situation much better than a narrative description, therefore, wherever possible reaction of the clients should be recorded in their own words. :) There should be certain degree of uniformit and standardi;ation as to the form of observation. <) A record should have readabilit and visibilit and should contain a clear and concise presentation of the material.(4.g.content can be organi;ed under topical heading such as interviews, home visits, contact with collaterals. =etters, medical reports etc filed at appropriate place.) >) To maintain clarit and accurac avoid using words which are vague, ambiguous and likel to be misinterpreted b the readers. (e.g. ?middle aged, perhaps etc.) @ote taking as far as possible should be done immediatel after the interview is over. If done during the course of interview it ma not onl hamper the full participation of caseworker in the process but ma make the client feel that she is not getting the full attention of the caseworker. 5A) It should alwa s be made clear who are involved in the situation, which is addressing whom and what are the sources of information. 55) The details of ever significant sub1ect or situation should be given. 56) .ne should not record the self-evident, the insignificant, the familiar, and the repetitive. 52) An record should show clearl the nature of the problem presented or the request made$ what the worker thinks about the situation$ what the worker and client know about it$ what relevant famil group and communit factors are involved$ what the change or movement of outcome are.