Social Work Theory

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Social Work Theory
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Outline

• Overview of Relevant Social Work Theory
• Ecosystems perspective
• Human systems theory
• Strengths perspective
• Empowerment
• 2. How to use these theories to engage in
  empowering practice

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Ecosystems
Balance or equilibrium between living beings with
their environment (adaptation)
Introduction of new elements throws off this
balance
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Ecosystems Perspective

• Person in environment (physical, social, etc.)
• Behaviors are adaptations to the environment
• No such thing as dysfunction all behavior
  can be understood in context

Introduction of new elements throws off this
balance
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Ecosystems Perspective

• Haitian example of adaptation (person with
  physical disability?)

Fiona skip this slide
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Human Systems
KOMINOTE
FANMI
SOSYETE
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Individuals as systems
Religious beliefs
Biology
Culture
Social environment
Psychology
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Systems theory

• All social systems are part of a larger system
  while composed of smaller systems
• Systems interact with one another at different
  levels

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Assumptions about human systems

• All behavior makes sense in context
• All behavior is motivated
• Challenges emerge between people and their
  physical and social environments (rather than
  within the client)

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Assumptions about change

• A small change in one part of the ecosystem may
  initiate a chain of beneficial changes
• Challenges are likely to have many solutions
• You dont have to solve a problem to find a
  solution
• People have strengths and the potential for
  growth
• Lasting change builds on strengths
• Given resources and opportunities, people
  cultivate competencies
• Collaborative relationships stimulate feelings of
  power and lead to actions

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Ecosystems approach

• KEY STEPS
• Identify the focal system
• Whats happening inside the system?
• Whats happening outside the system?
• How do the inside and outside connect?
• How does the system move through time?
• (illustrate with an example)

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Strengths Perspective

• All individuals have mental, physical, emotional,
  social, and spiritual abilities
• Identifying and enhancing existing strengths
  helps empower families, promoting their
  competence and self-sufficiency.
• Three conceptual transitions
• problems ? challenges
• pathology ? strengths
• past ? future
• Strengths are diverse including personal feelings
  of worth, cultural pride, successful
  relationships etc.

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Key Concepts

• Personal Empowerment
• feelings of competency and a sense of
• control
• Competence
• When ones abilities, skills, and resources
• match the demands of the environment

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Charity vs. Empowerment

• Charity
• Decisions made by givers of charity
• Clients are passive recipients of aid
• Outcome Fosters dependence
• Empowerment
• Decisions are shared by clients
• Clients are given the resources and support to
  play an active role in helping themselves
• Promotes competence, self-reliance, and autonomy
• Outcome Fosters independence

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How do we establish relationships that foster
empowerment?

• Recognize clients as experts
• Recognize that clients have strengths and
  potential
• Recognize social workers role as enabler and
  agent of change, not as provider of charity
• Emphasize mutual participation and responsibility
  (working with not for clients)
• Encourage client participation in decision making
• Ensure that responses match clients stated goals

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Avoid blaming the victim

• Victim blaming When people unjustly blame those
  who experience the effects of social problems,
  rather than recognizing that these difficulties
  result from oppression, discrimination, and
  injustice
• People who experience blame, shame and stigma
  often assimilate this negativity into their
  self-image

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Phases of Empowering Practice

• 1 Forming partnerships
• Establishing relationships, practicing empathy,
  reflective listening
• 2 Assessment
• Identifying challenges, examining context,
  recognizing clients strengths, assessing
  resource capabilities
• 3 Planning and Implementing interventions
• Identifying short and long term goals, addressing
  obstacles, contracting with client, activating
  resources, strengthening alliances, expanding
  opportunities
• 4 Evaluation and follow-up
• Recognizing successes, modifying interventions as
  needed