What is it about?
There is a broad consensus on the importance of precise goal-setting as a cornerstone of effective social work practice and evidence-based intervention planning. However, little attention has been given to examining how goals guiding social work practice are actually defined, articulated, and exemplified within academic literature. This study—a qualitative meta-synthesis of 32 academic articles published between 1968 and 2024—examined the extent to which goal formulations in the literature align with established principles of goal-setting. The findings reveal key patterns: 1. Conceptual Blur: Goals are frequently conceptually blurred with values. 2. Intervention vs. Outcome: Goals are often formulated in terms of interventions (what the practitioner does) rather than outcomes (what changes for the service user). 3. Avoidance Focus: Goals tend to focus on avoiding undesirable states rather than achieving desired, positive outcomes.
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Why is it important?
These patterns suggest that academic discussions of goals do not consistently reflect established goal-setting principles, which can weaken the conceptual foundation for intervention planning, decision-making, and evaluation. Strengthening education and training in the formulation of achievable, outcome-oriented goals is essential to reinforcing professional focus and effectiveness in practice.
Perspectives
As social work educators and researchers, we often notice students and practitioners struggling to articulate precise, outcome-oriented goals. Our aim with this article was to bridge the gap between abstract academic theory and daily classroom/field practice. By identifying recurring patterns in the literature and offering a practical diagnostic tool, we hope to empower educators, students, and practitioners to frame goals that genuinely serve clients and enhance intervention impact.
Dr. Merav Rabinovich
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Goals in social work: Definitions, differentiation, and implications, The British Journal of Social Work, October 2026, Oxford University Press (OUP),
DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcag252.
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