case aide

In social work, a paraprofessional who helps the social worker, as a member of a social work team, to provide specified services for the client. Frequently, the aide has developed expertise in a set of specific functions and is called on to fulfill those functions when they are deemed important by the social worker in charge of the case. For example, the aide might be asked to telephone members of the client's family to obtain additional information or accompany a client to a clinic. Most case aides are paid employees of the social worker's agency, but some are volunteers or part of the natural helping network. See also social work associates.