Social Work Theory and Practice: Individual and Families

This document discusses the values, assumptions, and ethical considerations in social work practice with individuals and families. It explores the challenges and concerns in developing a care plan and identifies theoretical frameworks for addressing them. The document also includes a reflection on personal experiences and the power dynamics within families. It provides insights into social work theory and practice.

SOCIAL WORK THEORY
AND PRACTICE-
INDIVIDUAL AND
FAMILIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART A...........................................................................................................................................3
Summary......................................................................................................................................3
Values, assumptions and ethical considerations..........................................................................3
Challenges and concerns..............................................................................................................4
Theoretical frameworks for developing care plan.......................................................................4
PART B...........................................................................................................................................6
Additional information................................................................................................................6
Personal Experience.....................................................................................................................7
Power relationship between individual and family members......................................................7
Prospective of Family practice....................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

PART A
Summary
RuralVille is a community of people that are experiencing severe drought and due to this the
local economy as well as the morale of the local people has crashed. Due to this property values
in the village have also crashed and there are number of newcomers from metropolitans who
seek affordable housing along with beautiful scenery and this has affected the behaviour of local
people towards the new comers categorising them as the contributors of bringing town down.
The case is about the parents of Tom and Anna who have recently moved to RuralVille and their
parents are point of concern, the mother, Mary, claims that she is aboriginal and father, George,
is Greek but both are unemployed. They don’t want their children to engage in any aboriginal
activities and additionally the children did no always have all the necessities and said their mom
had hurt herself or she was sick etc. When the class parent representative visited the house,
mother was found to be uncooperative, father was heard shouting in the back and the house and
yard was a complete mess. All this has raised concerns of the HSLO and they do not fund the
behaviour of the parents as healthy or normal. This has led to them along with the class parent
representative take the case of Anna and Tom in front of the Child, Adolescent and Family
Health Service so that the problem within the family can be identified and then appropriate care
plan can be developed by them. The RuralVille community also plays a huge role in shaping up
the lives of the newcomers and therefore this can be a huge aspect to be focused upon for George
and Mary. Social work basically comprises helping individuals, families and communities in
resolving the issues that they are facing so that a better lifestyle can be adopted that can enhance
their well- being (Gould and Taylor, 2017). In the current report, the case of George and Mary
will be discussed and the theoretical models related to social work will be identified so that a
proper care plan can be developed for their family along with a reflective writing from the social
worker’s point of view where personal experiences and knowledge related to the case will be
discussed on a first hand basis.
Values, assumptions and ethical considerations
In the identified case, the major aspects that can be illustrated are:
Values: The values highlighted in this case are that people from different backgrounds are living
together and despite the draught hit economy that has led to unemployment, the newcomers are
still able to find a home (Adams and et.al., 2017).
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Assumptions: The locals have developed a mentality that the new comers are always dope
lodgers who are here to further weaken their economy. Additionally, in case of George and Mary
as well it is assumed that they are not giving proper care because their yard is messy and Mary is
not very comfortable. This is not a solid base or ground.
Ethical Considerations: The ethical considerations include the fact that despite Mary being an
aboriginal George is not allowing their children to engage in aboriginal activities that puts the
teachers in an ethical dilemma (Slavin, 2019). Also, the lack of cooperation or interest towards
the children’s education and towards society is a bit troublesome to account for.
Challenges and concerns
The major challenge that has been identified s a social health care worker in this case is:
 Whether George and Mary are suitable to provide a comprehensive care and environment to
their two children or not.
 Whether the two will cooperate towards the overall development of the society or as it is
suspected by the majority, they too are just hoarders for cheaper accommodation.
Theoretical frameworks for developing care plan
In order to develop a proper plan to work with this family, the following concepts and theories
can be used:
Anti- Oppressive practice in healthcare: Through this anti oppressive model, the social worker
tends to develop proper relationships between the different identities and this is the usually done
between the biological relations by a social care worker (Agosto, White and Valcarlos, 2019).
This is done to ultimately develop non- oppressive relationships promoting equality between the
different parties of relationship. In the context of the current case study as well, the three
different barriers associated with implementation of anti- oppressive practice can be classified as
follows:
 Personal Oppression: Under this, personal beliefs of an individual affect their way of
dealing with the other person. In the current case as well, it can be fairly estimated that
George has previously been working successfully in Melbourne but the inability to find
employment here in RuralVille has left him frustrated thus making him dominant also,
Mary is completely dependent on the earnings of George because she has not worked
after giving birth to her children and she is both physically and mentally not strong
enough to take decisions herself (Coady and Lehmann, 2016). This puts the upbringing of
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both the children Tom and Anna under supervision. In order to address this, restructuring
of the relationship and perception needs to be done where George needs to be made
understood that he is a father with responsibilities and Mary needs to understand the
importance of involvement in their kid’s life where she needs to be active and present in
their life.
 Cultural Oppression: Cultural oppression signifies the cast or colour-based
differentiation that most people have to undergo through. Although at RuralVille, people
from different religions and backgrounds are living together where they all belong to one
or other minority background so cultural oppression is not a prominent barrier. However,
the fact that George does not want his kids to involve in Aboriginal activities despite
Mary being an aboriginal raises some questions over the fact that whether there is any
ethic or culture-based oppression between the couple. If such scenario exists than it can
be resolved only by addressing the issue making George understand the importance of
accepting different religions in RuralVille.
 Structural Oppression: This aspect is used to evaluate the structural imbalance that arises
in the community especially in context of the law and order present in that community
(McCoyd and Kerson, 2016). In the present case of RuralVille, the fact that the society
here has developed a view that all new comers are doles and giving them a tough time is
an example of the structural oppression. It is necessary for people here to understand that
all new comers are not here for the purpose of bringing community down and some have
come due to other reasons such as the town’s acceptability of multicultural people.
Therefore, they too can play an important role in improving the present condition of
George and Mary so that their children Anna and Tom can get better care and
environment because if they has come for cheaper land than rather than living in rented
public house, they would’ve brought a place.
Culture based theory: This theoretical framework helps in identifying and analysing the cultural
conflicts that can exist between societies or within the societies or institutions (Barlett, 2017). By
categorising the different social interest groups on the basis of four separate quadrants, it is
possible to identify the root cause of such cultural issues and then address them accordingly. In
case of the current case of George and Mary, this can be done as follows:
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 Hierarchical cultural model is applicable when the cultural risks or clashes are handled
through normal procedure and even legal help is sought if required to address the
problem satisfactorily. George and Mary can seek this if they are not able to resolve their
domestic and communal affairs at RuralVille.
 Under Individualistic market culture, there is an increased risk of individual dominating
another and this is the case currently in the case of George and Mary where Mary needs
to understand the need to develop an upfront so that a good environment can be
developed for the growth of their children.
 Egalitarian culture is said to be prevalent when people are culture sensitive and people
feel that they should abide by the rules that have been set (Greene, 2017). This is the
ideal situation for George and Mary to provide a growth oriented environment to their
children where they can focus on their learning and development and live a healthier life.
 The last type is the fatalist culture where there is unnecessary resentment amongst the
people that is usually provoked by some of the people. This type of situation can rise in
RuralVille if the locals do not understand that all new comers are not hoarders but some
have really come here to develop an economical and affordable lifestyle. This resentment
towards Gorge and Mary can be fatal for their children’s growth.
Therefore, the implementation of different theoretical model shows that George and Mary need
to understand the importance of their roles as parents in the life of Anna and Tom where they
need to undertake responsibilities and additionally, the perception of the locals towards the new
comers also need to change where they need to segregate the hoarders from the genuine arrivals.
All this will collectively help in developing a comprehensive care plan for the two children
motivating them to grow in a healthier environment.
PART B
Reflection helps in taking into perspective the views of the person on a first hand basis and i as a
social care worker for the family feel that presenting a reflective writing will help in evaluating
the practical aspect rather than just some theoretical context:
Additional information
As a social care worker, on the visiting the family it was evident that they were having some
problems within them. Initially there were complaints that children were using phrases like
mother has hurt herself which I found to be very disturbing. But on closer examination, I found
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that she was not having any suicidal tendencies or thoughts and she was just not happy about the
motherhood that she was giving. I would have liked to collect the previous medical history of all
the four family members i.e. were they sociable or not, what was the environment there when
George had his job, how was he treating his children and wife back then etc.
Contribution of Additional Information
If I could have gathered all the past data and living patters etc. I would have been able to clearly
identify that whether George and Mary have become like this after coming to RuralVille or they
were giving this environment to the children right from the beginning (Watkins Liu, 2018). It
would also have helped me in identifying that whether the community members of RuralVille
really impacting the lives of newcomers with their negative attitude towards them. All of this
information collectively would have helped me in developing a better care plan for the children
because i could have understood their mentality behind the manner in which they were behaving
thus improving my clarity of the case.
Personal Experience
I had a personal experience of such kind family life. When I was in collage that time a
friend was there. She was so innocent and missed most of the classes due to some reason. She
always lost in her dream in classroom. Initially I felt odd while talking to her because she didn’t
speak confidently and avoided to share information about her family. By and by she became my
good friends then she started to share her feeling with me about her family. Even many times I
used to invite her for party or get to gather she directly denied. I remined a day I went her home
where door was closed when I screamed for opening door. That time, her mom came outside she
was looking too nervous while talking to me. When I asked her could I took her for collage
assignment that moment his mother didn’t say anything. When I requested her that time, she said
his father never allowed to go (Avelino and Wittmayer, 2016). When my friend’s mother asked
to her husband he directly screamed. Even I got to know his mother and father didn’t have good
job and they lived on rented house. In addition, she didn’t allow to talk with people as well.
When I undertook this assessment then it became easy for me to interlink with that experience
which I felt in collage time for my friend.
Power relationship between individual and family members
By the above study can be interpreted that relationship plays crucial role for individual
and family development. I analysed in case study is that Marry and Georgelived in rural area
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where they were facing unemployment issue because both one didn’t have job. They had two
babies Tom and Anna whose arrival was unplanned so they didn’t think for their study. I
analysed Mary wanted to do job due to children skipped idea. George is 27 year who was rude
and frustrated due to didn’t get good employment opportunities. When I did deep study about
case then I got to know that family atmosphere wasn’t good because Marry always nervous
while talking to people and children also didn’t get care properly (Gul, Tabassumand Ullah,
2019). In addition, I felt Marry was submissive type while George was dominant that’s why he
denied children for not participating in aboriginal activities. So, power of relationship was too
poor by analysing the case study. According to me, power of relationship means to give equal
right to each member of the family and involved them in decision making process so that
individual could keep their point as result got effectiveness in decision. It kept relation powerful
and balanced as well (Morton, 2016).
Prospective of Family practice
I learned from the assessment that in olden days family member wasn’t open to each
other. in family male dominancy was in high rated instead of individuals. Females and children’s
was submissive type because they didn’t get change to share their likes and dislikes or their
future plans. Even I realised through assessment was that father didn’t like to involve any
member to speak in their decision. Even life and education decision also taken by father for their
children either they young or elder. In other word, family dedicated for upbringing instead of
planning for children or for their education (Rangel, 2016).From few years I observed that family
practices has changed because now parents planned for children arrivals so that they could fulfil
their demands and could give high education as per their children demand. Most of the families
has given right to their children to take decision for their education and life own
(HutcheonNoshin and Lashewicz, 2017). Now mother and father both has involved their children
in decision making process which has led balance power relationship between individual and
family member. But sometime, lack of attention of family on their children lead them in wrong
track which I observed by changing family practices by and by.
CONCLUSION
The brief study of the report has been concluded a brief summary of social worker for the
significant historical information like they tend to develop proper relationships between the
different identities and this is the usually done between the biological relations by a social care
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worker. The major aim of the social workers to give high quality social services which is
understood by the report. The values, assumption and ethical consideration in the case can
concluded in report. There are various challenges like weak financial performance,
unemployment, less care of children which has been identified in report. Anti-oppressive, culture
base theory is theorical framework which supports to work with family can be summarized in
report. Family practices like planning for children, involves in decision-making process and
balance the power of relationship etc. has changed over the period has been concluded in report.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Adams, R., and et.al., 2017. Social work: Themes, issues and critical debates.
PalgraveMacmillan.
Agosto, V., White, A. and Valcarlos, M.M., 2019. Deficit-Laden Use of Constructs in Anti-
Oppressive Curriculum. Journal of Curriculum Theorizing. 34(1).
Avelino, F. and Wittmayer, J.M., 2016. Shifting power relations in sustainability transitions: a
multi-actor perspective. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning. 18(5). pp.628-
649.
Barlett, C.P., 2017. From theory to practice: Cyberbullying theory and its application to
intervention. Computers in Human Behavior. 72. pp.269-275.
Coady, N. and Lehmann, P. eds., 2016. Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice:
A generalist-eclectic approach. Springer Publishing Company.
Gould, N. and Taylor, I., 2017. Reflective learning for social work: research, theory and
practice. Routledge.
Greene, R., 2017. Human behavior theory and social work practice. Routledge.
Gul, N., Tabassum, R. and Ullah, I., 2019. A Study of Prospective Teachers’ Professional
Knowledge and its Practice at Secondary Level. JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY
TEACHER EDUCATION. 3. pp.71-82.
Hutcheon, E., Noshin, R. and Lashewicz, B., 2017. Interrogating ‘acquiescent’behavior of adults
with developmental disabilities in interactions with caregiving family members: an
instrumental case study. Disability & Society. 32(3). pp.344-357.
McCoyd, J.L. and Kerson, T.S., 2016. Social work in health settings: Practice in context.
Routledge.
Morton, B.M., 2016. The power of community: How foster parents, teachers, and community
members support academic achievement for foster youth. Journal of Research in
Childhood Education. 30(1). pp.99-112.
Rangel, A., 2016. Layne Craig Research Seminar in American Literature April 13, 2016 The
Power of the Individual: Each Member of the Bundren family in As I Lay
Dying. Power.
Slavin, R.E., 2019. Educational psychology: Theory and practice.
Watkins Liu, C., 2018. The anti-oppressive value of critical race theory and intersectionality in
social movement study. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity. 4(3). pp.306-321.
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