Social workers conduct home visitations and assessments to help a family or individual succeed and be safe. These professionals primarily serve populations made up of infants, children, the elderly and people with special needs. Depending on the agency you work in, you aim to improve the birth outcomes of pregnant women considered at-risk, enhance family dynamics, support the health of those in the home and prevent abuse and neglect with home visitations and assessments.

Build Rapport

Social workers who visit homes must establish a rapport, a trusting relationship, with clients and their families. Building rapport helps families view you as less of a threat or a person who is there to find faults and more as an expert who provides support, advocacy and assistance.

Planned Visits

Scheduling regularly planned visits builds trust and an expected routine. However, keeping your appointments and making it to home visits on time is an important part of building trust with a client and the family.

Conduct the Appropriate Assessments

Assessments enhance the understanding of why a client displays problematic behavior and evaluate the effects of the behavior. After completing an assessment, a social worker develops interventions to help the client and the family. Assessments include the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, which screens infants and children at risk of social and emotional difficulties. The Home Observation and Measurement of the Environment evaluation assesses the amount of stimulation and support a child receives.

Document Case Management Services

Social workers provide case management services during a home visit to help the client establish goals. These goals may involve the participation of other family members. You document what happened during the home visits, communications with the client, attempts to communicate with the client and communications about the client with collaborating agencies. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kentucky states a social worker must also document a client’s assessment results, progress toward established goals, referrals made and services recommended in a manner that is timely and accurate.

Provide Referrals

Social workers provide families and clients referrals to essential services. You help them attain medical and health services, employment, childcare, educational and “family preservation” services, according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kentucky.