The session aimed to strengthen the professional skills of social workers, enhance case management practices, and provide training on the scientific approach to case conference and rehabilitation.
Dr. Shahida Noumani, herself a professional social worker, emphasized that “Every case is a project.” She explained that every case requires proper assessment, consultation, planning, documentation, continuous follow-up, and a well-structured rehabilitation strategy to achieve sustainable outcomes. She also introduced the Foundation’s various projects and programs and discussed the progress and challenges of different cases being managed by the social workers.
During the session, Mr. Saad Mustafa, General Secretary of Shauoor Welfare Foundation, shared his professional insights on several cases and presented the Foundation’s strategic approach to effective case management, social intervention, and rehabilitation.
Reflecting on her professional journey, Dr. Shahida Noumani shared that the concept of the “Case Conference” originated during her time working in the Psychiatric Ward at Jinnah Hospital, Karachi, where she had the opportunity to work alongside Pakistan’s renowned psychiatrists, including Dr. Iqbal Afridi and Dr. Musarrat, as well as other healthcare professionals.
She explained that the hospital regularly conducted multidisciplinary case conferences, where psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, and social workers jointly reviewed each patient’s condition. While psychiatrists focused on medical treatment, psychologists addressed psychological concerns, and social workers worked to resolve the patient’s social, family, and financial challenges. She emphasized that true rehabilitation is only possible when a person’s social problems are addressed alongside medical and psychological treatment.
Drawing from this professional experience, Shauoor Welfare Foundation has developed a unique and effective Case Conference Model, where social workers, psychologists, case workers, and volunteers collaborate as a multidisciplinary team. Together, they assess every aspect of a beneficiary’s situation, develop comprehensive rehabilitation plans, provide continuous follow-up, and support individuals in rebuilding their lives with dignity and becoming active members of society once again.
Dr. Shahida Noumani concluded by stating that social work is not only an act of service but also both an art and a science. Guided by this professional philosophy, Shauoor Welfare Foundation continues to empower vulnerable individuals through evidence-based case management, rehabilitation, and sustainable community development.