How to Write SOAP Notes for Social Work: Complete Guide with Examples

What Are SOAP Notes?

SOAP notes are one of the most widely used documentation formats in healthcare and social work. Originally developed for medical professionals, the SOAP format has been adapted for social work practice because of its clear, systematic structure that promotes consistent and comprehensive recording.

The acronym SOAP stands for:

Why Use SOAP Notes in Social Work?

SOAP notes offer several advantages for UK social work practice:

• Consistency: The structured format ensures all essential information is captured every time
• Clarity: Separating facts from opinions makes records clearer and more defensible
• Efficiency: Once familiar with the format, recording becomes faster and more focused
• Legal protection: Well-structured notes provide better evidence in court proceedings
• Communication: Other professionals can quickly understand the case when reading SOAP notes
• Training: NQSWs and students find the format easier to learn and apply

How to Write Each Section

Subjective (S)

The subjective section captures information from the client's perspective. This is typically the largest section and should include:

• Direct quotes from the client (use quotation marks)
• Client's reported feelings, thoughts, and concerns
• Information provided by family members or carers
• Client's description of events or situations
• Reported symptoms, problems, or changes since last contact

Objective (O)

The objective section contains only factual, observable information:

• Physical observations (appearance, demeanour, body language)
• Environmental observations (home conditions, safety concerns)
• Behavioural observations during the visit
• Information from official documents or records
• Results from assessments or screening tools
• Attendance, punctuality, engagement level

Avoid using subjective language like "seemed depressed" or "appeared anxious." Instead, describe what you observed: "Client spoke quietly with limited eye contact and took long pauses before responding."

Assessment (A)

This is where your professional judgement comes in. The assessment section should include:

• Your professional analysis of the situation
• Risk assessment and safeguarding considerations
• Progress towards goals or care plan objectives
• Identification of strengths and protective factors
• Areas of concern or emerging issues
• Professional opinion based on evidence gathered

Plan (P)

The plan section outlines what happens next:

• Specific actions to be taken and by whom
• Referrals to other services or professionals
• Date and time of next visit or contact
• Goals for the next session
• Any urgent actions required
• Information to be shared with other agencies

SOAP Note Example: Home Visit

Here's a complete example of a SOAP note following a home visit:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When writing SOAP notes, watch out for these common errors:

• Mixing sections: Keep subjective and objective information clearly separated
• Vague language: Be specific rather than using terms like "appropriate" or "fine"
• Missing attribution: Always clarify who said what
• Opinion in Objective: Save your interpretations for the Assessment section
• Unclear plans: Include specific actions, timescales, and who is responsible
• Too brief: Provide enough detail for another worker to understand the situation
• Too lengthy: Be comprehensive but concise - avoid unnecessary repetition

SOAP Notes and UK Recording Standards

The SOAP format aligns well with UK social work recording requirements:

• Ofsted expectations: The structured format helps ensure records show what's happening for a child at any given time
• SCIE guidelines: SOAP notes support the separation of fact and opinion that SCIE recommends
• Legal requirements: The clear structure makes notes more defensible in court
• Professional standards: Social Work England expects clear, accurate recording - SOAP provides a framework for this

Adapting SOAP for Different Contexts

While the basic structure remains the same, you can adapt SOAP notes for different types of contact:

Telephone Contacts

For phone calls, the Objective section may be shorter as you have limited observations. Focus on tone of voice, engagement level, and any background sounds that may be relevant.

Multi-Agency Meetings

Include contributions from different professionals in the Subjective section, clearly attributed. Your Assessment should synthesise the multi-agency perspective.

Supervision Sessions

The Subjective section captures the supervisee's reflections, while Objective notes any agreed actions from previous supervision. Assessment includes your analysis as supervisor.

Quick Reference: SOAP Note Checklist

Before submitting your SOAP note, check that you have:

• Clearly separated all four sections
• Attributed all statements to their source
• Used observable facts in the Objective section
• Based your Assessment on documented evidence
• Included specific, actionable items in the Plan
• Added dates, timescales, and responsibilities
• Proofread for accuracy and clarity
• Recorded promptly (ideally within 24 hours)

Conclusion

SOAP notes provide a reliable framework for social work recording that promotes consistency, clarity, and professional accountability. By separating subjective information from objective observations, and clearly documenting your assessment and plan, you create records that serve both the people you work with and your professional practice.

The format takes practice to master, but once familiar, most social workers find it makes recording faster and more focused. Whether you're an NQSW learning to record or an experienced practitioner looking to improve your documentation, the SOAP format is a valuable tool for your practice toolkit.