ABSTRACT

Casework in the Child Care Service merges at many points with that of other agencies, particularly with family case-work agencies, child guidance clinics, and the probation services. In the Child Care setting environmental breakdown is a fact. The "working backwards" is a modification of casework technique which is often imposed by the environmental factor in child care work. Not only does the child care worker need to work backwards over situations in which she has had to take precipitate action, but she has to deal with the fact that she is a person who holds the power to change an environment. This always complicates her casework relationships and must be talked about and worked through with children, parents and foster parents, and the staff of children's homes. Techniques are only ways of doing things within the framework of a professional relationship and in a given setting.