社會工作是一門助人的專業方法，而社會個案工作是社會工作助人方法中相當廣為使用的一種方法。社會個案工作方法是透過社工員與案主一對一的專業關係互動，運用各種社會服務及資源，來增進個人與其家人的生活福祉。具體而言，社會個案工作的助人方法指的是一段有系統、連續性的工作流程，社工員立基於人類行為與社會環境的相關科學知識和理論，透過專業關係的建立與會談技巧的運用，歷經申請接案、評量分析、介入處遇與結案轉介等工作步驟，來協助案主解決與提昇其適應生活功能。
As one of the major helping methods in social work, social casework is widely employed in scores of agencies and services. In purpose, social casework seeks to enhance individuals’ social functioning through a working relationship established between social worker and client. As a practice model, social casework is a helping process in which knowledge of the science of human relations and skills in relationship are used to mobilize capacities in the individuals and resources in the community. Casework method is systematic and orderly and includes the processes of intake, social study and diagnosis, treatment and termination toward problem solution and social functioning among individuals.