This approach seeks actionable solutions to specific problems. It usually involves 4 steps:
- defining a target area to work on together
- agreeing specific goals and actions for both the social worker and the person they are supporting to help achieve these goals
- discussion and support about progress with, and impact of, agreed actions
- reviewing and deciding whether a further process of task-centred goal setting is needed or the process has been successfully completed.

Task-focused work is typically relatively brief but can be applied flexibly across a range of social work contexts as stand-alone support or within a broader package of care.