Social Work Approaches and Integrative Model

Verified

Added on  2020/03/01

|10
|2693
|63
AI Summary
This assignment delves into different approaches used in social work, such as community-centered, solution-centered, task-based, and psychological perspectives. It emphasizes the importance of an integrative approach that combines these perspectives to effectively identify problems and solutions. The document cites various sources to support its arguments and analysis.

Contribute Materials

Your contribution can guide someone’s learning journey. Share your documents today.
Document Page
1. Introduction
Social work refers to a profession that profession facilitates social change and
development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (Australian
Association of Social Workers, 2017). Social work also helps in developing, utilizing skills and
understands social structures. Social workers have several areas of practice that may require
individual social worker commitment or community participation. As a social worker, my
area of practice is helping community deal with social problems. Critical social work is social
work practice with main focus on the root cause of social problems such as social injustice
and oppression without individual’s interest but rather community. Radical as a professional
aspect of social work or seek to solve socialproblems (Mullaly, 2007). As social worker
providing counseling to the community is a noble practice that requires much dedications
and service to the community. Another aspect of critical approach involves the provision of
education on a certain topic usually on social problems hence finding the solution to social
problems. One critical approach is community center approach-beliefs, needs and strength,
result based approach and solution based approach (Cooper, 2013).
2. Social, political and economic issues affecting critical social work practice
There are many issues that currently affect critical social work practice. Some of
these issues include political, economic and social issues and have a significant impact on
the society or community that the social work practices. These issues are comprehensively
discussed below.

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
A. Social issues affecting critical social work
Social issues are part of social work and have vivid influence on critical social work.
Social issues that play key role in helping community understands social problems are
personal beliefs personal strength, and weakness, psychological relationship, addiction,
domestic conflict, and environment. Firstly, personal beliefs, strength, and weakness as an
economic issue have an impact on counseling especially in Australia where counselor and
client may have different beliefs and personal strength or weakness towards social problem
(Fook, 2002). Secondly, the ability of a social worker to develop a good relationship with
community assists the people to be open and express their problems to the social worker
(Greene, 2008). Thirdly, other social issues such as social injustice also play a significant role
in understanding social problems as many people do not easily know the causes. Political
opinions or conflict is another social issue that currently has an impact on social work
especially understanding social problems. Finally, the community relationship that can be
found between social worker and the community also play a vital role in practice (Delshad,
2010).
B. Economic issues affecting critical social work
Economic factors are unemployment, discriminatory resource allocation and
economic abuse. Firstly, unemployment is a major economic issue that affects social work in
Australia. Though the government is currently working on ways to solve unemployment
issues, unemployment remains serious challenge in many communities (Lundy, 2004).
Secondly, poor resource allocation is another factor that has a direct impact on social work
as most social workers has reveal the inappropriate resource allocation leading to financial
Document Page
challenges affecting social work. Moreover, some organizations that also works in hand with
social workers in their bit to educate or counsel the community also political role in resource
allocation to regions (Allan, 2003). Thirdly, the government of Australia identified economic
domestic abuse as one of the financial issues that have impact on counseling. Resource
distribution especially on economic, require educating the community on the on their rights
that can help them get resource from the government. This has made the government
through Commonwealth Bank of Australia offer financial support to finance social workers
(Agnew, 2004).
C. Political issues affecting critical social work
Political issues government policy, political diversity, firstly, the government policy
that guide education or counseling to a substance abuse or domestic violence victims
through financing counseling activities. Secondly, political diversity has an indirect impact on
social work and to the understanding of social problems. Political diversity brings great
differences between communities and social worker as various parties have different beliefs
and weakness. This makes the social work practice get hindrance in some parts of the
country especially in areas with social injustices (Delshad, 2010).
3. Theories, policies, and practices
A. Theories and approaches to social work
Critical social work basically works to examine social problems and issues that
include social injustice or oppression. An aspect of critical social work that also forms the
theoretical framework of critical social work is radical social work theory and tends to bring
understanding of contribution of social work to structural development that leads to
Document Page
understanding and solving social problems. Social work as a field of study has attracted
much attention owing to the central role played in the society. Radical social work theory
views social problems as the solemnly responsibility of political players. There are many
approach and theories that have been advanced to explain social work practices. Collective
working with the community is another aspect of critical social work that attempt to include
all members of community to achieve common good. Collective social work is model that
focuses on the aspect of critical social work such as making alliances (Zastrow, 2014; Ungar,
2011).
Radical social work is a theory that is based on the development of structural aspects
of the community as oppose to individualism. This implies that structures of institutions
need to form in manner that does not promote social problems. In contrast to structural
theory that aim at exploring causes of social problems, radical theory tries to push for
structural change. In addition, radical with the aim of structural change identify managerial
radical perspective for change in community. Managerial radical perspective assures social
workers on assisting community understand the relationship between social problems and
institution managerial structure (Zastrow, 2014).
Structural social work theory gives a better understanding of social problems as it
seeks to understand differential resources as the cause of social problems (Mullaly, 2007).
Moreover, the theory explains the type of morally society free of social problems that can
be created and the way to create such societies. Structural theory is basically founded on
the societal structure with respect to social problems such as disparities in resource
distribution and unemployment. It is good to note that structural theory shows the

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
structure of institutions as the basis of discrimination which is the recipe for social problems
such as racism (Lundy, 2004).
Post-modern perspective of social work is highly influences every aspect of social
work. Post-modernism influences our understanding of social problems since it has broader
perspective that influences technological application in analyzing various issues in the
society. As a practice post-modern indicates that the worldview on social problem currently
focus on post-modern culture and other social structure. This gives social workers new
interpretation on culture and languages which are two main social structures (Healy, 2000).
Social work in Australia is under influence of policies and regulations that affect
practices. Australian department of social services has policies and regulation that provide a
framework for social work practice. The department also provides legislations that indicate
the ethical framework that a social worker needs to operate. The government also has
funding sources that are used to finance the institutions that conduct social work
(Allan,2003). Moreover, currently, social work services faced with financial challenges
threatening social work services in most places. Dealing with social problems on the other
hand, as social work practice is guided by a much ethical code of standards. Practice also
forms part of community health service and therefore is a critical part of community social
work (Reamer,2006). Post-modern theories are based on a different view on the way we see
and think about our society or social work. Moreover, post-modern mindset allows research
on social work especially on human behaviour and their social environment.
Document Page
4. Theories evaluation
Main approaches to social works have both strength and weakness. Some of these
approaches are systems theory, task centred approach, solution-focussed approach and
person centred approach, and psychosocial model.
Firstly, the critical approaches have strengths and weaknesses that can be discussed
based on counselling as a way of practice. This approach can be used to assist people with
recurring understanding social problems; it is a way of understanding the cause of the
disturbing social problems and concentrate on radical theory, structural theory and post-
modern understanding of social structures especially culture and language (Mullaly,2007).
Weaknesses of critical approach to social with a focus on identification of social problems
with minimal power to remove oppression, focus on causes and effects of the problem, is
not culturally acceptable and easily manipulative (Sowers& Catherine et al., 2008). Secondly,
the community-centred approach also has both strength and weaknesses. Strengths include
utilizes different experience on community, respect the dignity of humans, and can get a
solution from all people. Weakness include does not consider time, not easy for those not
motivated, concentrate on a single community and not society in general. Weaknesses
include require high training, is based on problems that the community has, and consider
limited socio-economic factors (Sherraden,Laux& Kaufman,2007).
Based on the theories of social work there are three theories that are best and can
be used as a social worker. These theories can be joined to come up with an approach called
integrative approach. Critical approaches require the use of many models that can be
related as means to get the best result (Freya, 2015). Firstly, historical based approach as
Document Page
applied in community involves allowing understand their problem from history with the bid
to get a solution to their problem. This also gives the expert time to understand the problem
better hence find the solution. Secondly, the task-centered approach that is evidence based
practice and uses the community to come up with the objective to be achieved at the end of
practice (Davies, 2002). In addition, the approach assists the community to identify the
problem and possible solution to those problems. The two approaches or theories of social
work are all useful in critical approaches and can be integrated into another approach called
integrative or holistic approach (Butler& Gwenda, 2004).
5. Critical theory and practice recommendations
The best critical approach that can be used in the identification of the problem and
guide the community into finding a solution is an approach that has most of the
characteristic of most of the best approaches to social work (Allan, 2003). As social worker
the best practice of assisting people deal with social problems has the characteristics that is
evident based, allowing the people to understand their problem, and uses culture
perspective to get a solution. In order to apply this theory or approach the expert need to
engage the community where the community uses historical evidence and weaknesses to
identify problem and solution to those problems. In the field of social problems, integrative
has been used to obtain a good result as this approach also uses other approaches or
theories to solve the problem. This means that where one theory cannot be used another
theory can work best (Ungar, 2011).

Paraphrase This Document

Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
Document Page
Conclusion
In conclusion, social work is a practice that helps assist individuals, families, and
community, in general, to identify and use resources. There are many areas of practice
within the social works and one of these areas is dealing with social injustices. Dealing with
social injustices utilizes various social work approaches such as community-centered,
solution-centered, task-based approach and psychological approach. Of these approaches,
the best approach that is should be used in social work is an integrative approach that is
based on a combination of approaches since it can be used to identify problem and solution
using different kinds of perspective.
Reference
Allan, J. (2003), Practising critical social work. In J. Allan, B. Pease, & L. Briskman (Eds.).
Critical social work: An introduction to theories and practices (pp.52-71). Crows Nest,
Australia: Allen & Unwin.
Australian Association of Social Workers, (2017), What is social work? Accessible at:
https://www.aasw.asn.au/information-for-the-community/what-is-social-work
Agnew, E.N. (2004), From Charity to Social Work: Mary E. Richmond and the Creation of an
American Profession. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.
Butler, T., & Gwenda R. (2004), Social Work with Children and Families: Getting into Practice
(2nd ed.). London, England; New York, NY: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Cooper, P. (2013), Social work man. Leicester: Matador.
Document Page
Delshad, F. (2010), Interaction of Religion, Morality and Social Work. Munich: AVM
(Adademischer Verlag München).
Davies, M. (2002), The Blackwell Companion of Social Work (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK; Malden,
MA: Blackwell
Fook, J. (2002), Social work: Critical theory and practice. London: Sage.
Freya, B. (2015), Known to Social Services (1st ed.). USA: FARAXA Publishing.
Greene, R. R. (2008), Social Work with the Aged and Their Families (3rd ed.). New Brunswick,
NJ: Transaction Publishers
Healy, K. (2000), Social work practices: Contemporary perspectives on change. London: Sage.
Lundy, C. (2004), Social work and social justice. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press.
Mullaly, B. (2007), The new structural social work (3rd ed.). Toronto: Oxford University
Press.
Popple, P.R. & Leslie L. (2008), The Policy-Based Profession: An Introduction to Social
Welfare Policy Analysis for Social Workers (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and
Bacon
Reamer, F.G. (2006), Ethical Standards in Social Work: A Review of the NASW Code of Ethics
(2nd ed.). Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Sherraden, M.; Laux, S. & Kaufman, C. (2007), Financial education for social workers. Journal
of Community Practice, 15 (3): 9–36.
Sowers, K.M. & Catherine N. Dulmus; et al. (2008), Comprehensive Handbook of Social Work
and Social Welfare. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Document Page
Ungar, M. (2011), The social worker: a novel. Lawrencetown, N.S: Pottersfield Press
Webb, S. (2017), Professional Identity and Social Work. London, UK: Routledge.
Zastrow, C. (2014), Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare: Empowering
People. Belmount: Cengage Learning
1 out of 10
circle_padding
hide_on_mobile
zoom_out_icon
[object Object]

Your All-in-One AI-Powered Toolkit for Academic Success.

Available 24*7 on WhatsApp / Email

[object Object]