Case study
Salman Wahid
SWK313ModuleModule2Week3_Practiceframeworks_Powerpoint2019.pptxEngaging with individuals and families
SWK 313 Module 2
Week 3
Part 1
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This week
Introduce the concept of a practice framework
Review some examples of practice frameworks
Begin to look at the main ways of understanding practice theory
An overview and critical analysis of some practice theories:
Psychodynamic Approaches
Task Centered Practice
Crisis Intervention
Cognitive Behavioral Practice
Humanistic practice, Existentialism & Spirituality
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Module 2: Online Learning Activity
Review the theories explored in Module 2
Review the range of theories explored in Module 2. Choose one (from Payne’s book) that appeals to you, reflecting on the factors that have shaped your choice and including a critical analysis of the theory.
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Why Practice Frameworks?
A practice framework is a conceptual map that brings together and approach to practice.
A comprehensive understanding of social work theories, how they are linked and how they apply in different practice settings can really help guide your work with individuals and families
This helps to ensure your practice is well informed and well intentioned
Connolly, M. (2007). Practice frameworks: Conceptual maps to guide interventions in child welfare. British Journal of Social Work, 37(5), 825-837.
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An Integrated Framework…
Anti-Oppressive practice
Theories
Organisational context
Skills
Phases of helping
Maidment, J., & Egan, R. (2009). Practice skills in social work and welfare: More than just common sense. Allen & Unwin.
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Sample Practice Framework: Agency
Sample Personal Practice Framework:
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A practice framework…
Changes over time
Responds to context
Adjusted according to critical reflection, professional development, practice wisdom, personal growth, learning from clients…
Tries to remain true to professional values and ethics:
Respect for persons
Social justice
Professional integrity
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Types of Social Work Theory from Payne (2014)
| Types of Theory | Formal Theory | Informal Theory |
| What social work is | Formal written accounts defining the nature and purposes of welfare (e.g. personal pathology; liberal reform; feminist) | Moral, political and cultural values drawn upon by practitioners for defining the ‘function’ of social work. |
| How to do social work | Formal written theories of practice (e.g. casework; family therapy; group work), applied deductively | Theories inductively derived from particular situations; unwritten practice theories from experience |
| The client world | Formal written social science theories; empirical data (e.g. family, class, race) | Practitioner’s use of experience and general cultural meanings (e.g. ‘normal’ behaviour) |
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Types of practice theory Payne (2014) pp. 8-10
Perspectives – e.g. feminist, humanistic
General guiding principles rather than precise rules
Allows for flexibility and respects diversity in different situations
Value-based
Frameworks – e.g. Systems Theory
Organise bodies of knowledge in a systematic way
More concrete, less value-based than perspectives
Identify a range of methods to choose from and may guide that decision
Models – e.g. Task centred approach
Clear sequence of actions to follow in a given situation
Structured, consistent approach
Descriptive rather than explanatory
Explanatory theory – e.g. CBT
Based on causal explanations of human behaviour, evidence based
Accounts for why an action leads to a particular outcome
From Payne, M. (2014). Modern social work theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
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Using theory to plan intervention…
Payne, M. (2014). Modern social work theory. Palgrave Macmillan.
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Three Views of Social Work Objectives
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Empowerment views…
Therapeutic helping approaches (Dominelli 2009)
Promote wellbeing through growth and self-fulfilment
Workers help clients gain power over their feelings and way of life to overcome suffering & disadvantage
Develop skills and personal relationships
Social-democractic political philosophy – economic and social development needed for individual and social improvement
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Social change views…
Structural focus – understanding and challenging power
Seek to free people from oppression and create more egalitarian relationships in society
Change social institutions
Disadvantaged and oppressed people will never gain personal or social empowerment unless society changes
Socialist political philosophy – planned economies and social provision promote equality and social justice
E.g. Anti-Discriminatory Practice, critical theory, feminist theories
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Problem-solving views…
Social work as welfare service – needs and support
Help individuals to adjust to society
Focus on individuals – choice, responsibility, consequences
Liberal or neo-liberal political philosophy – personal freedom in economic markets
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Some critical analysis:
| Empowerment | Social Change | Problem-solving |
| Does not fully address structural barriers Interests of elites is still a barrier to opportunity for oppressed peoples | Social change is unrealistic for everyday practice Does not help people in immediate need Scope for achieving large scale change can be limited funding, governance considerations, agency objectives | Accepts the social order – supports interests of elites Helps individuals, but does not help future groups/society more broadly |
| Humanistic, feminist theories, macro practice/community development, strengths-based practice, humanistic approaches, empowerment | Anti-Discriminatory Practice, critical theory, feminist theories | Psychodynamic approaches, problem-solving, crisis intervention, task-centred practice, CBT |
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Common ground…
5 common values and principles across social work theories (Payne 2014 p.25)…
Alliance – informed consent, relationship, therapeutic alliance, dialogic relationship
Aims – clearly specified and positive outcomes
Action sequences – specified sequences of actions
Critical practice – disruption, critique of current social assumptions
Rights – human rights, cultural respect, equality, sustainability
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