Title
Autor
Abstrakt
Abstract
This policy brief focuses on record-keeping in social work and demonstrates that it is not merely an administrative obligation, but an important professional activity that influences the quality, continuity, and safety of the assistance provided. Based on international literature and qualitative research among social workers at municipal offices and methodologists at regional offices, the document describes why record-keeping is often viewed negatively—primarily due to time pressures, insufficient recognition of this activity, inappropriate forms, and user-unfriendly electronic systems. The authors emphasize that such problems are not unique to the Czech Republic but are also encountered abroad. A good record should be clear, concise, precise, and specific; it should capture the client’s situation, the goal of the collaboration, the course of the work, and, where applicable, its evaluation. Records should primarily serve to ensure continuity in work with clients, protect against information loss, and provide a basis for addressing complaints—not as the sole tool for monitoring social workers’ performance. The document recommends recognizing record-keeping as a distinct professional competency, creating suitable working conditions for it, and involving social workers in the development of electronic tools that will meet the actual needs of practice.
Klíčová slova
záznamy v sociální práci
práce s klientem
elektronické systémy
sociální pracovníci
veřejná správa
Keywords
social work records
working with clients
electronic systems
social workers
public administration
