Abstract
Assessment can promote accountability and relevance in social work. It is
one of the key phases of the helping process and can assist in obtaining a
clearer picture of the nature and factors that contribute to the client 's
problem. It also informs the social worker of possible intervention options
that are to be designed from the assessment result. This article presents the
concept of ecometrics as a series of principles and guidelines that facilitate
the use of standardised measurement instruments and qualitative procedures
during the assessment process. The author argues for the use of ecometrics
as a supportive methodology in social work practice that can be used in
diverse practice contexts. Although ecometrics is primarily evidence-based, it
may accommodate some of the ideas contained in different approaches to
modern social work practice. These ideas are central to the ecometric policy
framework adopted by the Professional Board for Social Work in South
Africa that is aimed towards promoting accountable and professional
practice.