Social Work Theory Analysis: Task-Centred and Strength-Based Models

This essay provides a reflective analysis of two prominent social work theories: the Task-Centred Theory and the Strength-Narrative and Solution-Based Theory. The author, drawing from their experience as a charity volunteer, discusses the core concepts of each theory, highlighting the Task-Centred Theory's structured approach to problem-solving through specific steps and the Strength-Narrative Theory's focus on individual capabilities and narration for finding solutions. The essay further evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of both theories, citing issues such as client misidentification of problems in the Task-Centred approach and potential worker bias in the Strength-Narrative approach. The author concludes by advocating for a combined approach and emphasizing the need for specific changes to address the limitations of each theory when applied in community work.

Running head: SOCIAL WORK THEORY
Social Work Theory
Name of the University:
Name of the Student:
Author Note:

1Social Work Theory
Social Work refers to the profession that works for the service of the nation. It is a
system of practices and values and also some theories. Being a volunteer of the charity body
of the school, in this paper, I wish to reflect upon the two most popular and widely accepted
theories and further evaluate them from a critical perspective. The two theories that I wish to
talk about are the Task –Centred Theory and Strength- Narrative and Solution based Theory.
First I wish to discuss the Strength and Narrative based Approaches. Strength-based
approaches to social work refer to the skills and capability of individuals. Self-centred
theories are viewed as tools to identify and resolve their own problems and come up with
solutions by oneself. Therefore, it is more integrative by nature and improves a person’s
abilities, thus providing a sense of empowerment (Connolly, 2007). The Narrative approach
refers to the process of finding solutions, on the basis of the narration that is gathered from
the individuals. I believe that both of these theories can be used conjointly to get better
outputs.
Next, I will move to the concept and meaning of the Task- Centred Theory. This
practice requires to deal with specific issues with an approach to manage and resolve issues
through specific steps where a client is appointed to a social worker who helps the former to
resolve the problems. Firstly, the problem, or the target problem, as it is named, of the client,
is identified by the social worker. Secondly, certain steps and measures are formulated o
address those problems, thirdly the measures are implemented and fourthly, the worker and
the client work towards achieving the set goals (Maidment & Egan, 2016). This particular
practice focuses more on client requirements.
However, while analysing and practising both these theories, I have come across
certain advantages and disadvantages for both these theories. First, I will talk about the
Strength – Narrative approach where the counsellor work to help the communities to resolve

2Social Work Theory
their own problems. There are many evidences where it is observed that the clients are not
happy with the practitioners or the worker is not objective towards all the members of the
team. Moreover, it often seems that the resources provided to the individual for resolving
their issues are not rightly used ("Strengths-based approaches for working with individuals",
2019). Also, sometimes when working in remote areas, it is found that the workers are
reluctant to work with the clients (Morgan, 2014). Similarly, while working, I have realised
that there are certain issues with Task-centred problems as well. The essential problem that I
have mostly come about is that often the clients are unable to identify the problems correctly
and therefore, accepts the issues that are distinguished by the trainer (Payne, 2014). This
often leads to addressing a different issue and not resolving the correct problem which means
the actual problem keep on persisting. Further, since this is session based practice, hence,
often it is seen that the issues are not resolved within the allocated time.
Although, while working with a particular community, I usually prefer the Strength-
based approach, however, I believe that there are specific changes that are needed to be
addressed and while practising on a personal level I have often used both the approaches
conjointly and have received better results.

3Social Work Theory
References:
Connolly, M. (2007). Practice frameworks: Conceptual maps to guide interventions in child
welfare. British Journal of Social Work, 37(5), 825-837.
Maidment, J., & Egan, R. (2016). Practice skills in social work and welfare: More than just
common sense. Allen & Unwin.
Morgan, S. (2014). Working with strengths: Putting personalization and recovery into
practice. East Sussex: Pavilion Publishing & Media Limited.
Payne, M. (2014). Modern Social Work Theory. (4rd ed.) UK: Palgrave MacMillan
Strengths-based approaches for working with individuals. (2019). Retrieved from
https://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/insights/strengths-based-approaches-working-
individuals