Explain about different types of social work theory.

Shanell Bathersfield conducted a self-assessment. She initially determined that the systems theory was one that she was not comfortable with. Through the last few course weeks, she was able to gain an in-depth perspective on several theories that are impactful in the social work field. The coursework and utilizing Juana and Adelina as case studies, truly gave an exclusive insight on how theories are used to understand the client’s circumstances and improve their well-being.

“Those who study systems theory tends to view any system as the result of a dynamic interrelationship between its component parts and its whole. They view the parts as mutually determinate with the whole. Social workers utilizing systems theory view societies and social groups as dynamic systems. They are concerned with bettering the conditions of the individuals who make up such systems.” (Flamand, 2010) Systems theory is used by many social workers. This theory helps social workers understand how the surroundings of the client’s environment

This assignment is based on a scenario of a 45 year old man named John. He has been referred to the Mental Health Team by his General Practitioner (GP). This assignment will be covering different range of health needs and services that can be accessed. It will also identify other professionals who might be involved in John’s care as well as considering the impact of the health condition on his family. Furthermore a framework/model of care will be taken into consideration to show how it can promote effective communication and a partnership approach to a person-centred care.

The system theory is consistent with social work values according to the Assembly, N. D. (2008). NASW Code of Ethics, Importance of Human Relationships “social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities”.

Systems theory is a way of elaborating increasingly complex systems across a continuum that encompasses the person-in-environment (Allen & Friedman, 2011, p. 3). The systems theory enables us to understand the components and dynamics of client systems in order to interpret problems and develop balanced intervention strategies, with the primary goal of enhancing the “goodness of fit” between individuals and their environments (Allen & Friedman, 2011, p. 3). Systems theory helps to identify an organizing conceptual framework or metatheory for understanding (Allen & Friedman, 2011, p. 3). Ludwig von Bertalanffy is credited with being the originator of the form of systems theory used in social work (Allen & Friedman, 2011, p. 3). A system is defined as an organized whole made up of components that interact in a way distinct from their interaction with other entities and which endures over some period of time. Family is considered a system and the way family interact in one setting, may be different from how they act in other settings. Within the systems theory, Urie Bonfenbrenner formulated the ecological systems theory (Allen & Friedman, 2011, p. 3). The ecological systems theory holds that we encounter different environments throughout our lifespan that may influence our behavior in different ways (Ecological Systems Theory, 2008-2016). These systems include the micro system, the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macro system, and the chronosystem (Ecological Systems Theory,

The last 50 years has seen a major shift in how care is delivered to service users particularly those who suffer with Mental Illness. It was as recent as the 1960’s the concept of community care as opposed to institutionalisation was first considered and asylums began closing. Strains on resources and works such as those documented by Goffman and referred to by Miller 1996highlighted how institutions didn’t aid services users back to health but made them dependent on the system and incapable of making own choices and forming external relationships mostly due to exclusion from being able to.

The psychodynamic approach is an example of a psychological approach to mental illness. It has many advantages such as that it gives importance and focuses on the effects that childhood experiences have on the developing personality. The advantages to this approach is that Sigmund Freud was one of the first few psychologists to study childhood which then helped psychologists such as Piaget to create theories on childhood such as Little Hans who had a fear of horses. The Psychodynamic approach takes both nature and nurture into consideration which is good because it highlights how important both are for the explanation of a disorder. Freud's childhood experiences looked at nurture but on the other hand the ID, Ego and Super-ego looked at nature

1) Explain the role of theory in social work practice Social workers use what they have learned to engage with their clients, conduct assessments, develop interventions for problems, and terminate and evaluate each case (Rogers, 2013). There are no simple formulas that are guaranteed to work for every client, but theories can provide a solid starting point. The success of social work in practice requires social workers to have some understanding of a variety of problems and to have the critical thinking skills to apply what they have learned to complex situations (Gibson, 9/4/2014). This does not mean that social workers must study every subject under the sun in order to be properly prepared for their clients. A social worker might have never encountered a client’s specific problem, but they might know how different theories could be applied to that problem.

Through literature review it provided great description toward to the importance of relating theory and practice in the helping profession and how it can be complex and challenging. Due to the nature of the work contributes too many of the reasons in which it the relationship can be complex and challenging. While working in a caring profession one must carry out tasks with a professional manner that have many close ties to most of one’s personal tasks in their lives. Through literature it was recommended that to avoid unfavorable outcome, residential treatment programs (transition housing) must be coherent, integrated conceptual approach that does not reinvent the wheel but offer flexibility to act and do whatever is in the best interest of

This research mainly formulates its arguments within the critical theory in social science using participatory and critical policy analysis. More specifically, three related theoretical and methodological approaches will be used in this study’s analysis. It is crucial to note that not only these approaches share similar foundation relating to, speaking broadly, the Marxist paradigm, but also are these theories and methodologies are interconnected as analytical tools.

A system consists of interacting, connected parts that operate towards a purpose; changing one connection necessarily affects other parts of the system. A complex adaptive system (CAS) is a type of system that consists of interacting, nonlinear

Service-focused social worker and program coordinator with a strong commitment to providing high quality care and support to people who are socially excluded or who are experiencing problems in their lives. Having a track record of working successfully with individuals, families or groups, all within a variety of settings. Well-developed understanding of contemporary social work theories and ability to incorporate these into social work practice. Excel in program and organizational planning that delivers first-rate service. Operate well within team settings, taking responsibility for individual contributions and collaborating with others through community involvement. Adept at building community support, key coalitions and strategic interagency

2. (a) Define cybernetic; (b) define homeostasis, (c) define homeorhesis; (d) discuss the relationships between cybernetic systems and homeostasis/homeorhesis; (e) describe the significance of the cybernetic nature of ecological systems; (f) discuss the relationships between disturbance level and the establishment of reinforcing vs balancing feedback loops.

Healy stated “the original proponents of general systems theory used biological terminology to explain client needs, situations and the purpose of social work practice” (2005). The term that is applied for systems theory is for all systems in general. All systems have boundaries within which both physical and mental energy is exchanged. There are two types of systems that this applies to. Closed systems have no interchange across the boundaries whereas open systems have permeable boundaries or guidelines but there is also some room for movement, within reason.

Just about anything in life can viewed as having systems (Baccarini 2013). They can be found anywhere from within nature to anywhere in society and business. To better understand the principle of systems and the theories associated with them it is important to define what a ‘system’ is. There have been many experts who have helped create and contribute to systems theory and they all have similar thoughts