Task-centered Model
Topics
1. Definitions
2. Characteristics of Approach
3. Main Targets
4. Features (Aspects)
5. Steps in Task-centered Individual Clients
6. Sample Case: Oscar
7. Steps in Task-centered Group Work
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Definitions
 Task-centered model: “A technology to alleviate
specific target problems perceived by clients, i.e.,
specific problems they recognize, understand,
acknowledge, and want to attend to.” (Laura Epstein
and William J. Reid)
 Target problem: state of distress, unease, upset,
turbulence, malfunction, handicap, perplexity, or threat
to goals/expectations which has to be worked on.
 Task: What the client should do to alleviate problem;
both an immediate goal and means to alleviate
problem.
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Characteristics of Approach
1. Brief and time limited;
2. Interventions concentrated on alleviating specific
problems Client and Social Worker (SW) agree to work
on; and
3. Work on Client’s problem revolves around tasks Client
agrees to do.
4
Main Target Areas
1. Improving family and interpersonal relations;
2. Enhancing social role performance;
3. Effecting social transitions;
4. Securing resources; and
5. Relieving emotional distress reactive to situation
factors.
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Features (Aspects)
(1/3)
1. Assessment
2. Case Planning
3. Implementation
4. Tasks
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Features (Aspects) (2/3)
Feature
Description
Assessment
• Find out, classify, specify problem(s)
• Identify influential factors in environment (problem context)
• Know Client’s special traits, talents, abilities, problem
behaviors
• Refine assessment throughout the problem-solving work
• Reassess if target problem has to be changed
Case
Planning
• Problem reduction POA focusing on Client’s target problems
• SW selects actions expected to have greatest impact to
reduce problem
• Client should be willing to implement those actions
• Responsible agency has resources and its rules conformed
to
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Features (Aspects) (3/3)
Feature
Description
Implementation
• Contract states firm goals, problems, and tasks of Client and
SW but with room for flexibility to adjust to changes
• SW provides Client with or negotiates resources, instructs
him in social skills, negotiates resources and favorable
attitudes, reviews progress, and arranges to terminate,
extend, or monitor original contract.
Tasks
• State what Client must do
• General and specific tasks
• They may change in form/content, be dropped/added as
intervention proceeds or target problems change
• SW as agency representative must remain committed to help
Client
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Steps in Task-centered Model for
Individual Clients
Step
Start-up
Description
Client referred by an agency source OR
Client applies independently, voluntarily
Step 1
Client target problem identified
Step 2
Contract (plans, target problem priorities, goals,
tasks, duration, schedule, participants) agreed
upon
Step 3
Problem solving implemented
Step 4
Contract terminated
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Sample Case: Oscar (1/2)
Step
Description
START-UP
1. Oscar referred by faculty adviser to the school SW due to
lack of motivation to pursue eng’g
2. Adviser wanted Oscar to resolve problem before next SY
3. Adviser knew other prof’l who can better help Oscar
STEP 1:
Client’s
problems
identified
1.
2.
3.
4.
Uninterested in eng’g, interest in masscom
Anxious about mother/half-bro’s expectation
Distressed about prospect of failing again
Does not know how he can pursue masscom w/o support
Preliminary rapid assessment +Client’s strengths, talent
STEP 2:
Contract
1.
2.
3.
4.
Priority target problems
Client’s specific goals (accepted by Practitioner)
Client tasks
Practitioner tasks
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Sample Case: Oscar (2/2)
Step
Description
STEP 2:
Contract
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Duration
Intervention schedule
Interview schedule
Participants
Location
STEP 3: Problem
solving/ reduction,
Task achievement
• Implement Step 2
• Client and SW decide on alternatives if and when
problems are not solved.
STEP 4:
Termination
• SW and Client review respective tasks/goals
accomplished/ unaccomplished
• SW assures Client of future help
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Steps in Task-centered Groupwork
Step
Preliminary
Interviews
Description
Elicit, explore, clarify problems thru individual
interviews. SW and Client agree on problem to
address. SW to offer Client to join group.
Group
SW decides who should be in a group and its size
Composition
Group
Formation
Members share problems to reduce/eliminate by
formulating and accomplishing agreed tasks
Group
Processes
SW works with members to accomplish tasks within
the agreed time frame.
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