4. Paper #2 – Psychosocial Assessment/Social History of Client/Family (15% of fi

4. Paper #2 – Psychosocial Assessment/Social History of Client/Family (15% of final grade)
Students will examine how they engage with and assess clients. Students will submit a 3-4 page
psychosocial assessment/social history outlining an individual client or family system (maintain
confidentiality of the client/family) they are working with in field. Students who are not working
in direct practice with individuals or families should consult with the instructor about how to
tailor this assignment to their field setting system. Students who do not have detailed information
for your client/family are asked to create information for that category. Students should create a
detailed client history. You will use this assessment throughout the course, so students will want
a lot of detail to draw from.
The grading rubric for this assignment can be found at the end of the syllabus. Use textbook ages
255-257 for details. For information on eco-maps and genograms, refer to pgs 257-259 in your
course text. The eco-map and genogram do not count as part of the 3-4page requirement.
The Psychosocial Assessment/Social History should include the following elements (use the
below headings in your paper):
A. Identifying Information/Referral Information/Presenting Problem (preferred
name, date of birth, source of referral, reason for contact, other professional or
indigenous helper currently involved, race/ethnicity; how did the client come to get
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services? Where are you seeing client? Why has the client sought services at your
agency?)
B. Family History/Dynamics (names, ages, involvement with clients, including
spouse/partner, parents, siblings, children, extended family members, extent of family
support, family perspective on client, client perspective on family, relevant family issues;
other significant people in the client’s life, cultural identity)
C. Physical Environment (housing situation, financial stability, transportation resources,
neighborhood)
D. Significant Events (death in the family, trauma, life achievements)
E. Developmental/Medical/Mental Health History (1 point) (birth information,
illnesses/accidents/surgery, medications, used, family medical and genetic issues, menta
health diagnoses, physical limitations, diet, alcohol and drug use)
F. Educational/Work History (1 point) (Level of education, dates, places, degrees,
credentials, current job, type of work, previous experience)
G. Strengths & Motivation (1 point) (strengths of client, family system, culture;
identify what the client’s motivating factors for change are)
H. Include an Eco-map (a picture & descriiption are required – refer to p. 257-259)
I. Include a Genogram (a picture & descriiption are required – refer to p. 257-259)
The Engagement and Assessment Paper serves as an embedded measure for CSWE competency
7 (Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

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