TASK-CENTERED MODEL

Characteristics of Problem-Solving Approach

1️⃣ brief and time limited 2️⃣ interventions are concentrated on alleviating specific problems which the client and worker expressly contract to work on 3️⃣ work on the client's problem is organized around tasks or problem-solving actions the client agrees to carry out

3️⃣ Implementation

▪️ contract is made to shape and organize the problem-solving work ▪️to overcome obstacles to the client's performance the worker concentrates on providing clients with the resources for getting the tasks done ▪️client is also instructed in the skills needed for accomplishing the stipulated tasks ▪️ workers responsibility is to create a favorable climate for task performance ▪️worker procures resources, instructs the client in relevant social skills, negotiates resources and favorable attitudes, reviews progress on problem alleviation and arranges to terminate, extend or follow-up the original contract

1️⃣ Preliminary Interview

▪️ problems are elicited explored and clarified in individual interviews ▪️worker and client agree on a problem which will be addressed ▪️if social worker thinks the client can be help to attain tasks through group processes, the idea is presented to the client who may accept or reject group membership

2️⃣ Group Composition

▪️ social worker decides who should be in a particular group and the size of the group

🚩 Step 2

▪️Contract ➖ plans ➖ priority target problems ➖ client's specific goals ➖ client's tasks ➖ practitioner's tasks ➖ duration ➖ intervention schedule ➖ interview schedule ➖ participants ➖ location

🚩 Step 3

▪️Problem Solving ▪️Task Achievement ▪️Problem Reduction ▪️this step is essentially the implementation of solving; what is contained in the contract

Task-Centered Model with Groups

▪️Task-Centered Approach is also used in small groups, including families ▪️what makes task-centered groupwork different is the workers use of group process in helping members formulate and attain tasks

🚩Step 4

▪️Termination

🚩 Start-Up

▪️client referred by an agency source or; ▪️client applies independently and voluntarily

🚩 Step 1

▪️client's target problems are identified

Task-Centered Practice

▪️conceived by Epstein as consisting of a set of procedures for alleviating the specific target problem which will be the focus of the client and worker's work

4 Features of the Problem-Solving Model

▪️described by Epstein

2️⃣ Case Planning

▪️general strategy consists of assessment and a problem-reduction program of action ▪️worker constructs program by making judgments about what changes can be expected to reduce the problem

Note

▪️if in the practitioners judgement, the selected target problem is wrong or work on it is not feasible, the expectation is for the practitioner to advise the client and help him to consider other options

1️⃣ Assessment

▪️initial phase (usually first 2 sessions with the client) ▪️worker makes a rapid early assessment ▪️consists of: ➖ finding out the problem ➖ classifying and specifying the problem ➖ identifying influential conditions in the environment ➖ identifying the problem context ➖ taking note of the client's special traits, talents, abilities and problem behaviors

3️⃣ Group Formation

▪️members share the problems that they will seek to reduce or eliminate by formulating and accomplishing agreed-on tasks

4️⃣ Group Processes for Task Accomplishment

▪️once the tasks have been agreed upon by the members, the worker works with them so that they can help each other to accomplish the tasks within the time frame agreed upon

4️⃣ Tasks

▪️state what a client is to do ▪️state general direction for the client's action ▪️change in form and contents as intervention proceeds ▪️some are dropped out, others are added

Task-Centered Model

▪️technology for alleviating specific target problems perceived by clients - particular problems clients recognize, understand, acknowledge and want to attend to

Note

▪️the task-centered approach can be adapted to better fit particular settings, particular client groups, problems and the comfort and convenience of the worker

Task

▪️what the client is to do to alleviate the problem ▪️immediate goal and at the same time the means of achieving the goal

Main Targets

🚩 people whose problems are in the area of ▪️family and interpersonal relations ▪️social role performance ▪️effecting social transitions ▪️securing resources ▪️emotional distress reactive to situation factors