Theories Of Social Work

Social workers have several responsibilities. They have to provide service, justice, and dignity to a client. They have to possess integrity, competence, and patience. Social workers need to possess knowledge of human rights, and how to perform scientific inquiry. Social workers occasionally have cases in which problems ensue and a solution is not found within a certain time frame. Social workers must be able to act on an issue quickly and effectively. Situations can vary depending on the case, the client, and the persons involved in the case.

Macro social work promotes human development and social justice through work with communities and organizations. It comprises of a wide variety of knowledge and skills that enables workers to lead and contribute to highly performing public and private sector organizations that focuses on the critical social issues with diverse population. As such “diverse population is a variety of people which include several characteristic against what one may deem as the norm or majority.” Macro social work is centered on investigation of larger scales to social problems and for the development and implementation of social interventions that aim at effecting positive change at the community, state, and national levels (Birkenmaier and Berg-Weger 2007).

The aim of this case study is to use a knowledge of human growth and development to critically assess some of the theories a social worker might employ to understand a child and family. These theories will be applied to two members of the family, Sarah (single parent, 21years old) and Hannah (child 5 years old). Within this essay these theories will be critiqued in terms of how a social worker would assess and justify a form of intervention and if there are any limitations to these theories. In addition as to why it is so important for a social worker to have psycho-social stance when

The system theory wasn’t originally developed for social work practice, and was used by the social workers as they were relevant. However, strength based approach has been developed by social worker themselves.

According to Jacqueline Corcoran (2011), people were basically viewed in terms of their pathologies, weaknesses, limitations, and problems. However, in strengths-based models, in contrast, the helper, in collaboration with the client system, identifies and amplifies existing client system capacities to resolve problems and improve quality of life. Strengths-based approaches can be viewed as respectful toward and empowering of the oppressed and vulnerable people to which the field of social work traditionally has been committed (Corcoran,

Much of this paradigm dates back to the work of social work theoretician and practitioner William Gordon. Gordon was instrumental in conceptualizing the framework that the understanding and practice social work involved not only internal matters of the respective minds and environments but of their interactions and relationships as well (Heinonen & Spearman, 2001). The ‘ecosystems framework’ is complemented by concepts supported in ‘systems theory’ and ‘ecology’. ‘Systems theory’ stresses the effects of interacting elements where multiple elements are themselves whole, interact and combine to form a whole, and have relationships with other wholes (Heinonen & Spearman, 2001). An open, interactive, system may receive nourishment and sustainability from within itself and from its relationships with others (Heinenon & Spearman, 2001). A system that is closed, or isolated, may become increasingly vulnerable and experience entropy. Such a system manifests itself as problems for a client. ‘Ecology’ also emphasizes the correlation between the dynamics of permeation and health with a context of person-interaction-environment; in this case possible harmful issues with a client, their respective environment, and/or the interactions (Heinenon & Spearman, 2001). The ‘ecosystems framework’ could then be combined with other frameworks of the social work profession and its respective practices. (Bunnell,

According to the National Alliance of Social Workers (NASW), social justice is one of the primary ethics which social workers must uphold. Empowerment is a social work theory rooted in social justice, with a main goal of reducing social inequalities through community building and redistribution of access to power. The basic premise of empowerment is "to change the environment, change yourself" (Van Wormer & Besthorn, pg. 212). However, in order to change one 's environment or self, there must be options available and opportunities for individuals to have control over their own decisions. Empowerment theory also aims to build community through citizen participation, collaboration and engagement among community members. This theory also seeks

My understanding of the social work profession is that it’s a career path that concerns itself with the welfare of people from all backgrounds. Individuals in this career field have the wherewithal to handle with the continuously changing demographic in which they serve. They also assume responsibility for the development, implementation, and management of social services that they provide. The social work profession employs the world with skilled workers that use the tools and resources available to them to advance the lives of others. Individuals in this career field are capable of ethical decision making and are advocates for positive social change for the oppressed

The basic purpose of social work is to help individuals improve the quality of their lives. Social work is a helping profession and, resultantly, social workers are oftentimes referred to as change agents. They empower individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations to reach their full potential and enable them to make the necessary changes in their lives. They encourage clients to be self-determined and reinforce their ability to change and to focus on their own needs. Social workers strive to make contributions to the knowledge base of this profession. Social workers abide by ethical principles that are based on six core values which include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships,

Make a critical reflection on any two areas of knowledge (knowledge base) in International social work practice.

After learning about the person-in-environment’s concepts, it is believed that these concepts can be applied across social work practice and guide the social workers seek to recognize the interaction between the clients and the environment.

Greene and Lee (2002) states that when considering the social constructivist approach an understanding of the way individuals function within society is important to appreciate the meaning they ascribe to their experiences of society and culture. Dean (1993 suggests that knowledge and meaning are created and influenced by institutions within the environment. From this individual suffering from mental illness will create their reality and will then view future experiences through this (Dewees, 1999)

This is as to how the social worker and the population interact. It involves the people making sense in their interaction.

Social works’ role in adult services deals with a wide array of people from mental health to offenders to older people. With this wide and vague role a number of tensions and challenges arise. Many challenges develop in the role that result in tensions and vice-versa. The main challenge affecting all social work areas at the moment is heavy workloads and lack of time; it has been found that most effective social work practise involves an on-going assessment and regularly checking in with clients. However, this cannot occur when social workers are under strain from the high number of cases they have on their shoulders. Wrong decisions are then often made and key issues are neglected. Spending cuts increases pressure on social workers, as, not

What attributes of the effective practitioners in public welfare did you see in Tim’s dealing with Fannie Mae, Jolene, and the boys?