Which stage in the social work process involves gathering information from clients?

The stage of the social work process that involves gathering information from clients is the assessment stage. This phase is critical because it allows the social worker to collect detailed information regarding the client’s needs, strengths, challenges, and the context of their situation. During assessment, the social worker typically employs various methods such as interviews, questionnaires, and observation to gain a comprehensive understanding of the client’s circumstances and to identify appropriate interventions.

In this phase, the social worker also establishes rapport with the client, which lays the foundation for a trusting relationship that can facilitate further discussions and interventions. The information collected during the assessment stage not only informs the choice of interventions but also helps in setting goals and planning the subsequent steps in the social work process.

Other phases such as engagement, intervention, and evaluation serve different purposes. Engagement focuses on establishing a connection with the client, intervention involves implementing strategies to address the identified needs, and evaluation assesses the effectiveness of the interventions after they have been carried out. However, the specific task of gathering information is most central to the assessment stage.