SWSP1013 - Social Work Theories: Application and Critical Analysis

This essay identifies and critically applies various social work theories to practice, focusing on a case study of Miranda, a woman seeking help for depression and anxiety after her mother's death. It emphasizes the importance of social work theories in understanding human behavior and fostering relationships. The essay explores anti-oppressive approaches, specifically reflective practices and community development, in relation to Miranda's case. It discusses the role of a social worker, highlighting essential skills like empathy, communication, and active listening, alongside the importance of self-care and cultural competence. The analysis includes a critique of the strengths and limitations of the chosen theories and their application to the case study, while also exploring social work values and ethics in relation to these theories. The essay further examines conventional practice approaches, such as solution-focused brief therapy, psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, and crisis intervention, in the context of Miranda's situation.

Assessment 2-
Essay

Table of Contents
INTRDOUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2

MAIN BODY
Through the essay, the main objective is to identify the various social work theories and
critical application to the practices. With the help of social work theories, it helps in deep
understanding of the situation and human behaviour for the purpose to integrate the social
practices. In context to social work theories they are basically implemented to understand the
foster relationships. In addition to that, the social theories helps in better understanding of the
dissect the human behaviours and situations for the purpose to integrate the social practices
(Wilkinson and D’Angelo, 2019).
In context to the case study, the case study it is based on Miranda, a women who came
to social work group for the purpose to seek help to recover from depression and anxiety after
the death of her mother. In context to the social work theories and the perspective helps in
identification of the societal conditions along with the functioning (Teater, 2019).
It basically comprises of values, systematic application of social work principlr,
techniques and values. It comprises of supporting the communities or groups or supporting
individuals to attain tangible services and counselling and psychotherapy with families, groups
and individuals (Peters, 2018).
The anti oppressive model advocates and analyzes against the micro and macro levels of
the oppression and also the social change along with emancipator lines and empowering lines. In
Context to the case study, it involves the application of the chosen anti oppressive approaches.
The chosen case study, involves the 2 anti oppressive approaches in relation to the specific
case study. The chosen approach is Reflective practices focused on community and individual
approach( Goldberg and Neill, 2021).
In context to case study, the reflective practice has huge advantage that helps in increasing
self awareness and is considered to be the major component of the emotional intelligence and
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supports in better development and understanding of others (Hughes, M. and Heycox, K.,
2020 ).In context to the case study, the reflective piece can help in encouraging active
engagement in the work process and supports in development of creative thinking skills. In
context to the reflective practice, it basically helps in permitting involvement of the whole person
in their work rather than non acceptable feelings or separating out acceptable feelings. In context
to case study, another approach involves the community development approach which is a way
of working with the individuals and communities for the purpose to set agendas and organise
(Healy, L.M. and Thomas, R.L., 2020).
In context to the second approach, it is a lengthy term value based process which basically
focuses to address the imbalance in the power and also helps in bringing out the change founded
in the inclusion, social justice and equality. In relation to the anti oppressive theory and practice
in the social work seeks for the reorganisation oppression in the cultures, communities and
societies and thereafter to reduce the pressure and untie the sway of such oppression (Bhagwan,
R., Naidu, L. and Panwar, M., 2021).
The practice is not limited to diverse practice approaches such as structural, feminist,
radical, critical and anti racist frameworks (Nathaniel, K.A., 2018). In context to the case study,
the anti oppressive practice basically stands for a variety of practices and theories that adapt the
social justice practice. In context to case study, these practice tries to offer more perceptive,
suitable and responsive services by basically giving a reaction to the needs of the people without
considering their status socially.
In context to the scenario, they need to emphasize on their abilities and attitudes in order to
conduct practices and approaches in various methods. In context to social workers, they are
basically the professionals who aims to improve the overall well being and helps in meeting the
complex and basic needs of the people and communities (Gambrill, E., 2019). In context to
social workers, they work with many different populations and types of individuals and focuses
on those who are living, vulnerable and oppressed. In context to social worker, they play
different type of roles for the purpose to cater the needs of their clients.
In context to the case study, the social work is considered to be a demanding and dynamic
profession that requires various skills, techniques and qualities. In context to the case of Miranda,
these skills are basically acquire for the continuous development success. The role of social
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worker plays a significant role and involves various type of skills and traits such as Empathy. It
is basically the ability to identify and understand the point of view and experience of another
person (Harms, L. and Connolly, M., 2019).
The empathy is considered to be a important skill that supports the workers to determine
requirements of clients based on the unique experiences and ideas of another person. Another
important skill is Communication. Communication is basically the process that comprises of
exchange of information between individuals for the purpose to have a common understanding
(Taylor, B., 2020). In context to social workers, communication can take place in both way non
verbal and verbal forms. In reference to social workers, it is very important to have the desired
capability to interact with different individuals. In context to social workers, it is certainly
responsibility of workers to supporter for individuals and plays a crucial role in understanding
client’s need. It is also important to interact with various other individuals in order to report
data and information in a better manner. In context to the case, they have tough days and need to
follow different duties for the purpose to support and manage the clients, collaboration, billing,
and documentation (Marsiglia, Kulis and Lechuga-Peña, 2021).
It is also very crucial for workers to erotize their needs of the clients for the purpose to
manage cases. The poor time management and disorganization could result in causing workers to
fail to see the requirements and results in the difficult manner. In context to social worker,
another skill which is highly important is very important for the social workers for the purpose to
understand and identify the needs which is active listening. It basically comprises of the various
activities such as asking the right questions, concentrating and listening in a better way. The
social care could be highly emotionally stressful and demanding and therefore, it is significant
to connect with the various actions that will support in maintaining balanced life(Thomas, 2021).
The self care practices will help Miranda in dealing with the loss of mother and reducing
stress and resulting in improving well being and health and engaging in these practices will help
in prevention of the compassion and burnout and plays a important role in having a sustainable
career. In context to role of social worker they can be applied to both the theories and also
comprises of traits of cultural competence. In context to social works, working in a effective
manner with clients from different cultural backgrounds. For a worker, it is very crucial to come
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across individuals and circumstance related to work( Ortega-Williams, Crutchfield and Hall,
2021).
For a social worker, its crucial to have desired level of patience for the various clients and
cases which are difficult and this will empower social worker to have better understanding of the
situation and avoiding any kind of decision making which is hasty. In context to the case study,
being a successful worker involves professional and lifelong commitment for ethics and values
also focusing on continuous development of the professional competence. The professional
commitment is very important for the purpose to meet the basic needs. Another trait of social
worker which could be application of theories in relation to the case study is advocacy (Smith,
2019). It promotes justice and also empowering communities and clients.
With the help of advocacy skills it helps in enabling the social workers to argue and
represent for their clients and also establishing a connection. In context to the case study, the
social practice or social work theories has various strength and limitations. In context to the
general systems of theory strength are the evaluation of the system’s constraints, dynamic and
adoption of the conditions the elucidate principles (Basic, 2018).
In context to both the theories, both theories have their own advantages and disadvantages
that are applied to the scenario of the case study (Loue, 2018). In context to reflective practice it
basically involves advantages such as allowing you to assess all levels of a situation and helps in
knowing when the process is complete. In contexts to the disadvantages it involves being a
continuous process and models may not apply in every situation. In context to practices, it
basically focuses o the more emancipator form of practice which locates the individuals with
their family in context to social (Campbell, Brophy, Davidson and O’Brien, 2018).When comes
to practice, both these approaches fluctuates. It basically aims on the reduction and dealing of
discrimination which is face by people belonging to institutions on the other side it aims to
resolve situations and through paying emphasis on various issues within the society. A social
work theory is set of ideas that attempts to make predictions and explain a phenomenon. In
relation to the conventional practice approaches, it basically comprises of various theories such
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as solution focused brief therapy, psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioural therapy and
crisis intervention.
In context to solution focused brief therapy, it is basically a strength based approach to
psychotherapy based on the solution building rather than solving problems. In context to
Pyschodynamic theory, it helps the clients in understanding their emotions and unconscious
patterns of the behaviour (Penketh, 2018). In context to the case study of Miranda, by talking
through these behaviours and emotions with the social worker, it helps the clients to come to
know themselves better and make better decisions for themselves.
In context to Cognitive behavioural theory, it is basically a talking therapy that helps in
managing the problems through changing the way individuals behave and think. It is basically
used for the purpose to treat the individuals dealing with depression and anxiety and can be very
beneficial for the physical and mental health problems. In context to case study, the cognitive
behavioural theory is basically a gradual process that supports a individual in taking incremental
steps towards a behaviour change. In context to Miranda, it will help in dealing with loss of
mother and reduction in over thinking and stress. In relation to Crisis intervention, it is a
basically a short term management technique that is designed for the purpose to reduce the
potential permanent damage to a person who is affected by a crisis. The crisis is basically
described as a overwhelming event that comprises of passing of a loved one, divorce, the
discovery of a serious illness and violence (Messing, J.T., 2019).
In context to the case study, the situation or the crisis involved in the case of Miranda is
passing of her mother. In context to crisis intervention, it basically involves the methods which
are used for the purpose to offer short or immediate help to the people who are experiencing an
event that produces physical, emotional, behavioural distress and problems. The social work core
values involves dignity, service, competence, worth of the person and importance of the human
relationships (Gupta, Blumhardt and ATD Fourth World, 2018).
In context to social work value, there are various ethical principles which are based on the
social work core values which comprises of integrity and dignity and worth of the person. As per
ethics, it is basically express the responsibilities and values which plays an important role that
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are very crucial. It is basically involved in showing values which are important. Code of ethics
basically shows the responsibilities and principles that are important.(Carlton-LaNey, I. and
Andrews, J., 2018).
Social workers basically refers to the interface among people and physical, social and
cultural surroundings. In relation to social workers, they focus on maintaining a dual focus for
the identification of the various issues in relation to the system and creation of the injustice and
inequality. The ASSW basically focus on the individuals who are being ignored, alienated,
neglected, disadvantaged, vulnerable and excluded. In context to the Miranda’s case, these
theories pays a significant impact on the life of Miranda. In case of Miranda, she suffered a loss
of her mother which resulted in making her feel lonely and these theories helps in dealing and
understanding the behaviour of Miranda.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Basic, G., 2018. Successful Collaboration in Social Care Practice: Beneficial Success Points of
Interest for the Young Person in Swedish Juvenile Care. Journal of Comparative Social
Work, 13(2).
Bhagwan, R., Naidu, L. and Panwar, M., 2021. Transcending university boundaries: community
engagement as a tool to enhance social work students preparedness for real world practice. Social
Work Education, pp.1-18.
Campbell, J., Brophy, L., Davidson, G. and O’Brien, A.M., 2018. Legal capacity and the mental
health social worker role: An international comparison. Journal of Social Work Practice, 32(2),
pp.139-152.
Carlton-LaNey, I. and Andrews, J., 2018. Direct practice: Addressing gender in practice from a
multicultural feminist perspective. In The Role of Gender in Practice Knowledge (pp. 93-125).
Routledge.
Gambrill, E., 2019. The promotion of avoidable ignorance in the British Journal of Social
Work. Research on Social Work Practice, 29(4), pp.455-469.
Goldberg, E.M. and Neill, J.E., 2021. Social work in general practice. Routledge.
Gupta, A., Blumhardt, H. and ATD Fourth World, 2018. Poverty, exclusion and child protection
practice: the contribution of ‘the politics of recognition&respect’. European Journal of Social
Work, 21(2), pp.247-259.
Harms, L. and Connolly, M., 2019. Social work: from theory to practice. Cambridge University
Press.
Healy, L.M. and Thomas, R.L., 2020. International social work: Professional action in an
interdependent world. Oxford University Press.
Hughes, M. and Heycox, K., 2020. Older people, ageing and social work: Knowledge for
practice. Routledge.
Loue, S., 2018. Social Work in the Context of Health Care. In Legal Issues in Social Work
Practice and Research (pp. 169-182). Springer, Cham.
Marsiglia, F.F., Kulis, S.S. and Lechuga-Peña, S., 2021. Diversity, oppression, and change:
Culturally grounded social work. Oxford University Press, USA.
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Messing, J.T., 2019. Risk-informed intervention: Using intimate partner violence risk assessment
within an evidence-based practice framework. Social Work, 64(2), pp.103-112.
Nathaniel, K.A., 2018. Readiness for practice in social work Through a constructionist
lens. Field Educator, 8(2).
Ortega-Williams, A., Crutchfield, J. and Hall, J.C., 2021. The colorist-historical trauma
framework: Implications for culturally responsive practice with African Americans. Journal of
Social Work, 21(3), pp.294-309.
Penketh, L., 2018. Anti-racist Policies and Practice: The Case of CCETSW’s Paper 30. In Anti-
Racism and Social Welfare (pp. 27-52). Routledge.
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.
Smith, D., 2019. Social work with young people in trouble: memory and prospect. In Youth
Justice: Contemporary Policy and Practice (pp. 148-169). Routledge.
Taylor, B., 2020. Teaching and learning decision making in child welfare and protection social
work. In Decision Making and Judgement in Child Welfare and Protection:: Theory, Research
and Practice (pp. 281-298). Oxford University Press.
Teater, B., 2019. An Introduction to Applying Social Work Theories and Methods 3e. McGraw-
Hill Education (UK).
Thomas, D.N., 2021. Organising for Social Change: a study in the theory and practice of
community work. Routledge.
Wilkinson, M.T. and D’Angelo, K.A., 2019. Community-based accompaniment & social work—
A complementary approach to social action. Journal of Community Practice, 27(2), pp.151-167.
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