Common Social Work Framework - Essay Example

COMMON SOCIAL WORK FRAMEWORK MAY 8, Common Social Work Framework I have been enrolled with the departmentof social work of our university for a few years now. This has exposed me to many ideas on methods of practice and various theories and dynamics of social work profession. I know better appreciate the efforts of the social workers; because I understand, appreciate and acknowledge the general nature of their work. I wish pursue and apply the conceptual frameworks to further understand social work field and the general placement. Anti-oppression theory focuses on social justice, social divisions and hierarchy inequalities. It aims at reducing injustices as a result of structural inequalities. Anti-oppression perception is both centered at individual and society levels; with both geared at achieving results. The aim of the anti-oppression approach is to reduce the effects in the hierarchy, and enhance individual relationships by forging a working relationship. Development theory, according to Erickson (1950), defines development as having eight specific levels that are distinct. Conflicts within each stage by individuals distinguish it from the other stages; conflict arises when the environment places new challenges on individuals, and the individual is required to choose to either be maladaptive or adaptive. Kubler-Ross developed a five level grief model. The aim of developing the model was to help grieving and traumatized individuals after losses related to deaths. The five levels, according to her are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (Elizabeth, 2002). The stages are transitional and transferable, and take varying periods in different individuals. The differences can be elaborated by individual personality, and should be seen in relative terms. Feminist theory seeks to help understand the concept of gender inequality and aims at promoting women rights. It has also gone further to look at the differences between women themselves on the basis of age, class, race and ethnicity in connection with gender. We have four main types of feminist theory: Gender inequality that explains how women are denied opportunities with regard to their gender, gender differences which explains how women are placed in different from men environment in the society with regard to their gender. Gender oppression explains how women suffer oppression, surbodination and abuse with regard to their gender. Structural oppression explains that women suffer different levels and types of oppression depending on their age, class, ethinicity and race As suggested by the ecosystem framework, it is important for workers in this field to understand the approaches and philosophies that relate to their profession; an understanding of the micro, mezzo and macro levels. Social work and feminism have been associated for a long time; however, most works have adopted working from feminist perspective, but they are still favored by the system and patriarchal or traditional perspective. Ecosystem framework on the other side is backed by various social system theories and ecology. System theory in itself emphasizes on the interaction of various elements that cumulatively defines it. An open system is seen as whole, because the interactions within itself complete it; however, a closed system may face various challenges and eventually becoming weaker due to lack of development. And in such cases, the system poses problems to the clients. The ecosystem and its respective practices can be combined with several other frameworks in social work profession. The said frameworks relates to the conceptual theories of generalist practices and specialized methods. With specialist concentration, individuals get specific knowledge on various social functions and aspects relating to their lives. Generalist practice provides a different approach to issues; it attempts possibilities, choices and perspectives that relate to understanding of the system and elements of the system. There are various practical conceptual that can be used together, and that mutually relate with each other. These frameworks are described to eclectic because they are associated with various social work areas, and they relate to diverse perspectives and external complementary paradoxes. Ecosystem can be summarized as relating to general, specialized and particular practices. Strength based perspective is more biased towards practice than it is towards theory. The principle objective of the concept is to draw encouragement for individual, and suppress weaknesses. Empowerment of individuals is very important to this concept. Often generalist practice framework is associated with individual empowerment. Ideally, an individual working closely with others can be considered to be working in concert with them; sharing goals, aspiration, benefits, et cetera. Empowerment is defined as the outcome and the process of relative understanding, influence and participation around and within a situation. Individuals, through working together, can acquire social capital by transfer of developmental skills and knowledge. An orientation towards empowerment tries to motivate such situations through various social work practices that are deemed to be constructive using several simultaneous phrases: discover, dialogue and develop (Miley, O’Melia, & DuBois, 2001). Every one of the phrases can be defined in relation to its practice and processes. Through dialogue, clients and practitioners come together in developments roles, transactions and partnerships that are sustainable which are supposed to be founded on trust, respect and acceptance. In the process, practitioners and clients also define the purpose of the work by setting goals, challenges and directions (Miley, et al., 2001). In the discovery phase, the actual and potential resources which include record keeping resource capabilities and identifying strengths of a system of assessment which can take the form of person in an environment in a classification system. During this process, clients and social workers identify things to be used during the construction plan of the specific change (Miley, et al., 2001). During the development phase, clients and social workers form and cement partnerships using available resources, and in the process also create other opportunities. During the development phase, gains are integrated and successes are also recognized. With the three processes in place, clients are more empowered. Empowerment becomes more effective when it is oriented towards an ecosystem framework. There are several suggestions that can be used to practice and understand social work in an ecosystem framework point of view. Ramsay (2000) developed a ‘comprehensive conceptual framework of holistic social work’, which is a framework that comprises various professions in social work. Personal interaction environment classification system is an effort to utilize comprehensive and common practices for planning and assessment of clients. This model is regulated by the system theory as a whole. Social work perspective dictates that social workers should be complete their practices and theoretical frameworks. The understanding the actually meaning of descriptions of various professions varies from one person to the other; some of the factors that distinguishes the understanding of the profession depend on a variety of factors, such as; culture, context, time, information available, interactions, biases and experiences. Responses to this have made it difficult for workers to communication the profession, and separation within the profession within it. Attempts to create a model for social work are a goal for many professions. Ramsay (2000) says ‘comprehensive conceptual framework of holistic social work’. Another dynamic understanding that defines social work profession is the comprehensive and common classification system that is used to assess clients, which are popular dominant practice methods and social work framework (Karls & Wandrei, 1994). For better understanding of a conceptual framework of social it is important to understand the underlying the model. The conceptual framework comprises of generalist social work system theory practice. A typical definition of whole system theory states that the system includes everything within and without the system, and the system itself. A minimum structure of a whole system has four components. Easy of the components can be a representative of many parts, forming complex patterns. The system can include all the factors involved, examines the relationships, relevance and correspondence. The systems are characteristically dynamic and the separation between them is in their relationship. References AASW, 2010, code of ethics and practice standards Adams, Dominelli & Payne, 2002, Critical practice in social work 2nd, Palgrave Macmillan Brieland, 1977, Working definition of social work practice. Social Work, 2, 344-345. Elizabeth, Kulber Ross, 2002, “kubler-ross model for death and bereavement counseling, personal change and trauma”, Grief and loss Fuller RB & Kuromiya K (adjuvant), 1982, Cosmography: A Posthumous Scenario of the Future of Humanity, New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. Heinonen T & Spearman L, 2001, Social Work Practice: Problem Solving and Beyond, Vancouver: Irwin. Karls J & Wandrei K, 1994, P.I.E.: A system for describing and classifying problems of social functioning, Washington D.C.: N.A.S.W. Press. Karen Healy, 2005, Social work theories in context: creating frameworks for practice, Palgrave Macmillan. Liz Beddoe & Jane Maidment, 2009, Mapping knowledge for social work practice: critical intersections, Cengage learning. Marie Connolly and Louise Harms, 2012, social work: from theory to practice, Cambridge University Press. Read More