Social Work Practice with Children, Young People and Families

Running head: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND
FAMILIES
SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Theories and models explaining Justin’s behavior..........................................................................2
Strengths, resources and protective factors of Justin’s family........................................................5
Approaches facilitating greater wellbeing.......................................................................................6
Utilizing the Systems Theory......................................................................................................6
Person-Environment Fit...............................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References:......................................................................................................................................8

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SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
Introduction
The present paper attempts to understand the crisis situation of the hypothetical Askin
family by the use of certain theoretical frameworks. It would try to analyze the reason behind
Justin’s behavior, which is the presenting issue in this case. The paper will mainly include the
ecological systems theory and the life course development theory to assess the case and provide
relevant approaches that could facilitate better wellbeing for Justin and his family and an
environment that is fit for Justin. In doing so, the paper will try to find out the factors that have a
negative influence on Justin’s wellbeing and resources and factors that provide strength and
protection to the Askin family. The exploration of these factors will help in revealing other issues
that are a cause for the problems faced by Gill, Justin’s biological mother and Justin himself. The
systems theories will help assess the developmental stages of Justin’s actual family and the
newly developing unit – Fred, Justin’s father and his partner Susie and Justin’s siblings Philip
and Hannah.
Theories and models explaining Justin’s behavior
Within the social system, marriages and families hold the key towards an individual’s
development in life. In order to understand better how these systems work, scholars developed
certain theories and models. The origin of the studies related to families began by observing the
nuclear families. However, over a period, the family structures were conceptualized again in
terms of size, cultural and social influences. A correlation between an individual’s life, the social
structures and the influences of past life, time and place was also established in the theories that
later developed. One such theory is the life course development theory that analyzes an
individual’s life within the social, cultural and historical context. Childhood, adolescence,