Generalist social workers, work with many different kinds of human systems. There are different types of systems,small and large but they all share common features. “Systems at all levels are potential clients and targets for change (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.36).” “In order for a social worker to organize their perceptions of a clients situation, they must apply theories, perspectives, models and orientations (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.23).” “For a a generalist social worker, a framework for their practice interweaves personal and social work values, theoretical perspectives on human behavior and orientations to change (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.26).” “The choices made about theory determine whether social workers …show more content…
Stated in Generalist Social Work Practice, “this book incorporates the ecosystem view as a way to frame the many theories and perspectives that support generalist social work practice DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.31).” If a generalist social worker uses the ecosystems perspective as a guiding perspective for their practice it can affect their work. Using the ecosystems perspective, may affect the work of a generalist social worker, who adopt it as a guiding perspective for practice. This practice allows the social worker to work on different levels.It effects the social worker because it allows them to not only work at a micro level intervention but also a macro level. The ecosystem perspective makes the social worker look at the individual, families, group and communities as a whole. If the social worker wants to understand an individual they must look at their social …show more content…
“Structure refers to the organization of the system at a point in time (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012 p.37).” “The way individuals and subsystems within a systems arrange theme selves is the structure of the system ( DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.37). There are two characteristic of a system closeness and power (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012) Boundaries, is the closeness, it is what define systems. “Boundaries is what separates the interior of the system from its environment (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.37).” An example of boundaries would be our government, boundaries define the executive branch, judicial branch, and legislative subsystems. All three of the branches in our government have different hierarchy. Hierarchy is the power, and privileges (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012) “Hierarchy is what indicates which individuals and subsystems in a particular system have status, privileges and power (DuBois, Miley and O’Melia, 2012, p.40).” An example of a hierarchy would be when figuring out who is in charge of the military, the one in charge is the
The first framework that would be beneficial when working with this population is the Dual Perspective Framework. The Dual Perspective Framework is a model that charges the social worker with assessing and understanding the client’s world. While doing so, one must take into account the client’s relationship to not only their immediate family and community, but also to the larger societal system while considering and comparing values, attitudes, and behaviors (Prigoff, 2003, p. 80). Another way to explain the Dual Perspective was presented by Dr. Nimmagadda as part of the diversity section of this course (2015). The contrasting views are also known as the “Nurturing Environment” versus the “Sustaining Environment.” The “Nurturing Environment” can be identified as the individual’s family or immediate extended family, while the “Sustaining Environment” can be identified as how an individual feels other’s view them in the social environment (Nimmagadda, 2015). An individual can evolve and change according to their experiences and interactions in both environments.
In analyzing the institution of power so closely, the author has brought to light a multiple
Hierarchy of authority. The chain of command is another way to define the hierarchy of authority as these terms describe the structure of authority within an organization (Daft, 2016, p.144). Specifically, the hierarchy of authority concerns
Social Work is the study of people and how they interact with the systems in their environment and other people. Social Workers use theories, sets of ideas or concepts, of human behavior and apply them within their professional social work ethics to the problems facing clients in order to help them gain balance in the systems in their lives. Theories help to organize knowledge enabling social workers to help make sense of problems. There are many different theories. They have been grouped into broad categories called theoretical lenses (Rogers, A. 2013).
Both words and their subsequent meanings, as has been suggested previously, reflect notions of the hierarchy and stratification, or the division, of groups of people within the social sphere. Therefore, both expressions can be discussed simultaneously due to their reliance on one another. This is not to suggest that `power' is identical to `class', but simply that the very fact classes in the social system exist is, some suggest, purely related to power.
Social workers are generalist practitioners that utilize various theoretical frameworks to assist in problem-solving for individuals, family, groups, and communities. They aim to provide interventions at any level based on the need of their clients. The generalist social worker assist with a broad scope problems and can be found in a variety of institutions. When assisting with adult clients who suffer with social development due to childhood trauma, social workers must know what trauma is. Trauma is prevalent in the social work community, almost every social worker has had a client that has suffered from trauma. In order to assist adults that have social development issues stemming from childhood there are The four-fold principles
The person-in-environment approach views a client’s problems by how they react to the environmental contexts within their environment and how they occur. According to Gordon and Richmond, it has been stated that the person-in-environment approach is the “cornerstone” of social work practice. (as cited in Rogers, 2016, p.24). A clients’ systems are the interrelated aspects of a clients’ lives where all parts come together to function. Social workers utilize and focus on a clients’ systems when applying the person-in-environment. A clients’ system is anything that they interact with and hold roles in their lives. These systems can be on a micro level which is the individual and their biology, personality, and genetics. The individuals’ mezzo level would include their immediate environment, family, school, friends, or work. A macro level would include the larger social aspects of a clients’ life such as government policies, discrimination, oppression, or social class. Social workers incorporate these interactions and how they impact clients’ and their presenting problems. This theory and approach are beneficial as it allows a social worker to find out what resources are available to the client during their time with the worker (Rodgers,
'Social workers have a professional and ethical responsibility to (...) interact and intervene with clients and their environments' (Teater, 2010, p.4). According to this premise, the ecological approach in social work interventions offers an effective method of relating children, young people and their families to their environment. It is an approach that allows social workers to intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected, while providing a good theoretical framework for social workers' direct work. This essay is going to assess the ecological model within a social work practice directed at children. It will stress the importance of this model, and explain its application in today's child protection work. Firstly, the text will introduce the ecological approach by introducing its origins and a theoretical framework. Secondly, it will be described how social workers carry out an assessment within the given model, and how it is applied in practice in a direct work of practitioners. Finally, significant strengths and deficits of the approach will be contrasted in order to assess importance of the ecological perspective. 'It is (…) important to be aware that the abusiveness of any act cannot be understood except in context' (Beckett, 2007, p.16), and thus ecological approach allows social work practitioners to explore environmental and social causes of children’s maltreatment in an afford to consequently eliminate these.
Thompson, N (2005) Understanding Social Work: Preparing for Practice, Palgrave, MacMillan (Second Edition) Hampshire (Supplementary Course Reader)
Theory has been defined as, “an organized set of assumptions, beliefs, or ideas about particular phenomena in the world (Teater, 2015).” Theory is used to understand and explain possible and perceived instances, behaviors and outcomes (Teater, 2015). Social workers use theory in order to understand, as well as, introduce interventions and solutions to their client’s individual situation. It is important for students entering into the social work profession to have a base knowledge of theories, with basic understanding of their similarities and differences to appropriately apply theory in practice. The theories which will be focused on in this paper include Systems Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory.
Systems ideas is referring to three different types of systems, each created in a different era; general systems theory, ecosystem perspectives and complex systems theory (Healy, 2005). Systems Ideas in social work originated with general systems theory in the 1940’s and 1950’s, formulated by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy in the 1970’s (Payne, 2005). Systems Ideas are very relevant to human related professions such as; doctors, social workers and other institutions. The systems Ideas theory aids social workers to find an individual’s “fit” and “adapt” to the current society (Payne, 2005). There are many people involved in an individual’s social system, from friends and family to institutions such as schools and doctors. These can also be put into further categories formal and informal theories. Formal theories consist of systems such as institutions like social worker and doctors but informal theories include friends, family and community. In complex situations, systems ideas and theory is more appropriate to use than other more casual models of practice.
Miley, K, O'Melia, M, DuBois, B 2013, Generalist social work practice: an empowering approach, 7th edn, Pearson, USA.
The generalist model in the social work profession was drawn from a social system’s theory in the late 1960 's due to the complexities of problems and challenges faced by human beings. It was needed to assist social workers in assessing and interviewing clients. Rather than make the client fit the model, the generalist model seeks to find the approach that best fits the client, as well as emphasizing respect for client self-determination and the use of client strengths with empowerment as an expected client system outcome. A generalist practice model is used in all areas of social work field in ethical and effective helping based on the eco-systems perspective using problem-solving strategies and practice skills requiring a strengths perspective
They recognize, support, and build on the strengths and resiliency of all people. Generalist social workers help people achieve their goals through the application of research supported interventions. Generalist social workers value the process whereby research, policy, ethics, and practice inform each other. The foundation of social work is built upon research and practice, focusing on social, political, and economic influences that produce human suffering and community disorganization. The goal is to understand how social problems present the individual level.
The work of a social worker is complex and all encompassing. Social workers work in many capacities seeking justice, liberation, and equality. There work is global, as they work to put policies in place to govern practices. To keep up with societal shifts and generational changes there learning is continuous. As new questions rise so does the need for the continuation of research, not only to answer these questions but to implement into