Social Work Intervention

Models for Social Work Intervention Social work is a complex activity and often workers and service users have multiple objectives to pursue. Social workers are assisted by intervention models in achieving desired and agreed outcomes for service users. These models are framed with the understanding of social workers operate at many different levels in society – with individuals, families, groups and communities. There are many different practice models that influence the way social workers choose to help people meet their goals. Some of the major social work practice models used in various roles are-

Problem-Solving Model This model owes its existence to Perlman. The main emphasis in this model is on social casework as an extension of the processes of ordinary living. Life consists of problem-solving activities. For much of the time human beings are engaged in these activities without being consciously aware of their challenge to themselves.

Rather than tell clients what to do, social workers teach clients how to apply a problem solving method so they can develop their own solutions.

Task-Centred Practice This model of casework practice was formulated by Reid and Epstein. It constitutes a very specific model of short-term social work. It is a short-term treatment where clients establish specific, measurable goals. Social workers and clients collaborate together and create specific strategies and steps to begin reaching those goals. This model suggests that beneficial and desired changes can be achieved by working in partnership with service users to resolve other areas of concern. Whilst partnership is stressed, task centred practice can be used with people who do not wish to work with social worker. It is therefore, a useful model to employ as part of wider social work