Comprehensive Report: Social Work Theories, Practice, and Evaluation

This report provides an overview of two key social work theories: systems theory and relationship-based theory. It defines a theory and explains how social work theories provide a foundation for practice, understanding, and predicting human behavior within social structures. The report then delves into systems theory, explaining its concepts, applications, strengths (adaptability, focus on goals), and limitations (interdependence not defined, practicality issues). Following this, the report discusses relationship-based theory, its emphasis on fostering relationships for change, and its strengths (achieving goals, promoting collaboration) and limitations (impact of childhood experiences, potential for conflict). The conclusion emphasizes the importance of these theories in guiding social work practice and understanding individual needs and complexities. The report offers valuable insights into the application, strengths, and weaknesses of each theory, providing a comprehensive understanding of their significance in social work practice. This report is available on Desklib, a platform for students to access past papers and solved assignments.

Social Work Theories

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
A theory is mainly termed as an organized set of ideas, assumptions and belies which is
related to particular phenomena in world (Garrett, 2018). Social work theories effectively serve
as an foundation for social work practice that further provide explanation, understanding and
predication related to human behaviour along with social structures. The social work profession
aims to intervene at the point where people meet their environment which requires social
workers to have an understanding of the operations and complexities of working with and within
these different systems. In this report discussions has been made on different types of social
work theories . In addition with this, report include strength and limitations of each and every
theory.
Systems theory in social work
This theory is mainly related to defying human behaviour in status of complex systems. It
is premised on basic idea that this is an effective system which is mainly based in expectations,
rewards, individual needs and attributes of individuals living in within system. As per according
to to this theory organisation members, families and couples are directly involved as to solve an
issue even it an individual issue (Burden, 2018). In addition with this, system theory basically
states that behaviour is mainly influenced by numerous set of factors that further work as system.
A person home environment, parents, economic class, friends, school and other related factor
lead towards effectively influencing that manner in which an individual think and acts. System
theory is being constructed to frame a holistic view in an environment (Morley, Ablett and
Macfarlane, 2019). Further this theory can be effectively applied to those situations where
numerous set of systems influence each other. If it is consider in social work this theory can be
consider as an very helpful to evaluate, frame social problems and diagnose. Thus, it has been
said that system theory is mainly acts as an interdisciplinary theory related to nature of complex
systems in nature, science and society. In addition with this, it is a framework with the help of
which individual can able to make an investigation regarding to any group of objects those who
work together to effectively produce some result. There are different types of key concept within
system theory that are, System: An organized entity made up of interrelated and interdependent
parts. Boundaries: Barriers that define a system and distinguish it from other systems in the
environment. Homeostasis: The tendency of a system to be resilient towards external factors and
maintain its key characteristics. There are mainly four elements of system theory that include
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data, organisation, tools and processes. These all key elements are necessarily important to
manage a system in an effective and efficient manner (Haimes, 2018). Further it has been
identified that system theory mainly cover broad range of methodological as well as theoretical
practices across numerous disciplines. Social workers can posses different types of roles such as
mental health professional and policy advisers. In addition with this, social workers can also
undertake the role of maintaining documents as well as case records. Therefore, with the
application of system theory social workers can effectively able to understand dynamic in
between families, societies, individuals and institutions. In addition with this, with the help of
system theory social workers can effectively able to make an improvement in individual system
that does not work. While if it is consider at micro level with the formative assistance of system
theory social workers can effectively able to understand dynamics, roles and relationship within
families along with the manner in which things affect individuals. In addition with this, at macro
level social workers are mainly concerned towards social welfare of entire societies as well as
communities (Haimes, 2018). Thus, with the help of system theory social workers can
effectively able to understand communities social culture and attempt to advocate for programs
and policies that further lead towards promoting, economic prosperity, high standards, social
justice, equality and high standards of those who live in those communities.
Strength and Limitations of System Theory
System theory hold most effective advantages such as, it effectively increase social
worker adaptability to environment change. Along with this, it focus on achieving organisation
as well as individual overall set of goals. In addition with this, system theory is also have one of
the best effective advantage that include, its nature of dynamic and adaptive. Further it focus on
multiple dimensions of individual nature. System theories can be effectively utilized in social
work practice and hold numerous set of benefits to large base of population that has been serve
by social workers. Major strength that has been lies in system theory are included in adaptability,
interdependency and exchange of resources and energy from diverse range of systems. While if
it is consider as an limitation in system theory it has been identifies that it holds a nature of inter-
dependence which is not defined (Peters, 2018). In addition with this, it is essential to conduct
classifications of inter-relationships in best effective manner as otherwise it may be lead towards
counter productive. One of the most affecting limitation of system theory include that it is not
always practical that may further lead towards delay in the process of decision-making. System
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theory is used in social work practices and has many benefits and weaknesses for social workers.
This theory is very useful for organisation as each and every activities and operations are to be
performed in systematic and appropriate manner. The main benefits or strengths of such theory
are in terms of adaptability, resource exchange, energy and interdependency which is different
from other systems. For instance, in context of system theory, it emphasis on removing obstacle
and problems which are in system such as institutional racism which is barrier for people of
colour. With adopting of environmental change, this theory focus on work performance of
people for achievement of goal and objectives. Due to dynamic and adaptive in nature, this
theory has been accepted by each and every organisation for better achievement of goals and
objectives in effective and efficient manner. This is used in social work practices for work
performance so that both individual and organisation goal and objectives can be achieved.
Though this theory carry some limitation which creates problems for running business in
competitive advantages. The main disadvantage is structural functionalism theory which focus
on homeostasis that agrees only changes which stabilise system. This theory creates problem in
different context such as poor, racism and LGBTQ. The change in opportunities, privileges and
rights leads threat for balancing disruption arise in organisation. As changes are occurred in slow
motion rather than radical changes.
Relationship-based theory in social work
Relationship based social work is mainly related to create formative relationships with
families that offer opportunities for them to change and further lead towards facing consequences
if change are not achieved (Ferguson, 2018). This model effectively promotes importance related
to good quality supervision within organisation, recognize supportive relationship in between
managers and social workers. Relationships importance are effectively increasing and recognized
in social care as well as in social work. In addition with this, it has been identifies that effective
form of relationships are key central that lead towards successful outcomes. Thus it becomes
essential for social workers to take advantage of this research as to develop and sustain
professional relationship in best effective way even in challenging, unique and complex
situations. In addition with this, with the effective use of relationship based theory social
workers can build relationship with family which further acts as an one of the most essential tool
that facilitate change (van Breda, 2018). This theory is not related to specific intervention and a
way of thinking as it is mainly related to prioritizing direct work with social workers and families
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that apply range of interventions and skills in a well defined thoughtful way. Mentioned below
there are some factors that may include in relationship based practice. Thus, relationship based
social work is mainly related to create formative relationship with families that further lead
towards providing opportunities for them as to adopt change.
Thus, it become essential for social workers to undertake the roles of emotional
intelligence as well as skill with the help of which social workers can effectively able to manage
emotional complexities in best effective manner (Gehlert, 2019). In addition with this, emotional
intelligence further can be termed as an individual ability to be aware of their self emotion and
further able to understand and manage all these in best effective manner in relationships. In
addition with this, social workers are also required to understand others emotions and later
communicate the same in relationships. The importance of relationships in social welfare extends
beyond social work and can be seen in government policy and practice: some are enshrined in
legislation. These can be found in concepts like ‘joined up services’ (connecting individual need
to the services provided or relating one resource to another), ‘joined up thinking’ (how best to
locate, select, critically analyse, adapt and creatively apply the different theories and practice
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approaches that abound within health and welfare contexts) and concepts such as ‘evidence-
based policy and practice’, ‘partnership’ or ‘empowerment’. They describe an attempt to enhance
the quality of the relationship between the services on offer, those who deliver services, and the
people who receive them (Offe, 2018).
Strength and Limitations of Relationship-based theory
It has been seen that there are numerous set of difficulties that are abound in social work.
One of the most affective difficulty in relationship based theory include impact of childhood
experiences (Trew, 2018). In addition with this, reactive emotional distress, interpersonal
conflict, problems of social transition, dissatisfaction in social relations, inadequate resources
and psychological role and behavioural problems. Along with this, people feel unwanted,
isolated, unwanted and abandoned due to failed relationship. All these factor are considered as an
relationship based theory which impact on social work. This theory is very important for
achievement of goals and objectives in an effective and efficient manner in organisation. In order
to work in organisation, it is essential to maintain relationship with each and every member so
that better outcomes can be achieved. There are some strength and limitations of relationship
theory which are described here. The main benefits is that goal and objectives of doing social
work is achieved in appropriate manner. All the employees and workers working in business can
discuss their ideas, opinions and views regarding assigned topic so that they can work for
accomplishment and achievement of goals and objectives. Without maintaining relationship with
working force, work cannot be performed in proper manner. This theory teaches to maintain
cooperation, unity among each other for business goal and objectives. Similarly, this theory has
also strengths in term of consistency of social work relationship with friends, families,
collaboration, creating culture of learning and developing business culture. It recognise each
social work to be unique and different. All complex and multifaceted behaviour of human being
is understand and studied by respective theory. Apart from this, it has some limitations which
creates problem for social work. Relationship theory easily cause problem in result achievement
if there is no effective relationship with employees who are working in an organisation. There is
high chance of conflict among each other for carrying out activities, operations and functions of
organisation. This theory reflect that all should work together for better results of business.
Therefore, these above are the strength and weaknesses of respective theory in context of social
work.
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CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that social work theories
effectively aid in offering best services in social work. Further it has been identified that social
work is mainly related relationships as this will help in identifying individual nature,
background, education and other related essential. This will further aid social workers to reduce
the complexity of environment within which services are provided. In addition with this, with the
assistance of relationship based theory social workers can understand the best manner to offer
help. Present report include two different theories namely systems theory and relationship based
theories. With the help of all these theories social workers can effectively able to offer their
services in all related sector in best effective manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bernburg, J. G., 2019. Labeling theory. In Handbook on crime and deviance (pp. 179-196).
Springer, Cham.
Browne, T., 2019. Social Work Roles and Healthcare Settings. Handbook of health social work,
pp.21-37.
Burden, R., 2018. Systems theory and its relevance to schools. In Problem behaviour in the
secondary school (pp. 28-36). Routledge.
Ferguson, H., 2018. How social workers reflect in action and when and why they don’t: The
possibilities and limits to reflective practice in social work. Social Work Education.
37(4). pp.415-427.
Garrett, P. M., 2018. Social Work and Social Theory 2e: Making connections. Policy Press.
Gehlert, S., 2019. The conceptual underpinnings of social work in health care. Handbook of
health social work, pp.1-19.
Haimes, Y. Y., 2018. Risk modeling of interdependent complex systems of systems: Theory and
practice. Risk Analysis. 38(1). pp.84-98.
Howe, D. and et. al., 2018. Relationship-based social work: Getting to the heart of practice.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Kuntsevich, V., Gubarev, V. and Kondratenko, Y. eds., 2018. Control systems: theory and
applications. River Publishers.
Mafile’o, T. and Vakalahi, H. F. O., 2018. Indigenous social work across borders: Expanding
social work in the South Pacific. International Social Work. 61(4). pp.537-552.
Masten, A. S., 2018. Resilience theory and research on children and families: Past, present, and
promise. Journal of Family Theory & Review. 10(1). pp.12-31.
Morley, C., Ablett, P. and Macfarlane, S., 2019. Engaging with Social Work. Cambridge
University Press.
Offe, C., 2018. Social policy and the theory of the state. In Contradictions of the welfare
state (pp. 88-118). Routledge.
Ornellas, A., Spolander, G. and Engelbrecht, L. K., 2018. The global social work definition:
Ontology, implications and challenges. Journal of Social Work. 18(2). pp.222-240.
Peters, S. C., 2018. Defining social work leadership: A theoretical and conceptual review and
analysis. Journal of Social Work Practice. 32(1). pp.31-44.
Teece, D. J., 2018. Dynamic capabilities as (workable) management systems theory. Journal of
Management & Organization. 24(3). pp.359-368.
Trew, T., 2018. Theory and ideology at work. In Language and control (pp. 94-116). Routledge.
van Breda, A., 2018. Developmental social case work: A process model. International Social
Work. 61(1). pp.66-78.
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