UNIT 4: CHAPTER 3 (GREEN)
UNIT OUTCOMES:
1.Summarise the ecosystems perspective as an organising framework for general social work.
The ecosystems perspective serves as an organizing framework for generalist social work
practice by integrating two foundational theories:
1.One theory seeks to explain and understand individual human behavior.
2.The other theory focuses on the social environment in which the individual functions.
Social work combines these two theories into the person-in-environment (PIE) concept.
The ecosystems perspective focuses on how individuals thrive in particular environments. It
simultaneously focuses on the social environment and the interrelationships of people with each
other and their environment. It views a human being as a subsystem within a hierarchy of larger
systems, such as family and community.
It emphasizes that systems are synergistic, meaning the whole is more than the sum of its parts,
and separate parts cannot be simply added together to describe the whole. The focus is on the
interaction within and between systems and the patterns of these interactions, highlighting the
significance of relationships.
The ideas from the systems perspective complement the ecological perspective for generalist
social work practice. The term "ecology" originates in biological sciences, referring to the
interrelationships between living organisms and their physical and biological environments.
Applying these principles to human relationships emphasizes the interrelationships between
interpersonal and wider environmental factors that influence the degree of risk or resilience.
2.Classify the types of social functioning and include an example of each. (NB)
1.Effective social functioning
Competent systems activate personal, interpersonal, and institutional resources to deal with
problems, issues and needs. These resources are relatively available and accessible to these
systems in social structures.
These systems recognise their problems and take the necessary steps to resolve them. These
include individuals who are able to adjust successfully to stresses resulting from life transitions
such as marriage and divorce, parenting, the death of a loved one, or retirement.
Example: A student balancing school, work and social life well.
2.At risk social functioning
Some populations or social systems are at risk of difficulties in social functioning. They are
vulnerable to specific problems, although such problems have yet to surface.
Through case finding, social workers attempt to identify those groups that are at risk of
difficulties and offer services to them before the onset of actual problems. Social workers offer
these groups outreach information, support, and education services as a prevention measure.
Example: A single parent with financial difficulties and limited social support.
,3.Difficulties in social functioning
In some human systems, problems become so exacerbated that the ability to cope is diminished
or the system is immobilized and unable to initiate a change process. In some situations,
systems may recognize serious problems that inhibit their ability to function. In other situations,
society may label the behaviour of the system as unacceptable or dysfunctional.
Such is the case with criminal offenders, perpetrators of child abuse, and institutions that violate
civil rights. Society imposes sanctions on all types of systems for the violation of laws and other
social norms.
Example: Someone experiencing chronic substance abuse without support.
3.Contrast social work intervention with client systems at the micro, meso and macro levels.
Method: Case work Group work Community work
Level: Micro level. Mezzo level. Macro level.
Focus: Individual, family, small Small to medium sized Large scale social
group. groups and systems and policies.
organizations.
Activity: Counseling, case Group therapy, support Advocacy, policy
management, connecting groups, working with development, lobbying,
clients to resources. communities or schools. community organising.
Setting: Schools, clinics, Community centers, Government agencies,
hospitals, private schools, organisations. NGOs, research
practice. institutions.
Example: Helping someone cope Facilitating a support Advocating for changes
with mental illness. group for teen mothers. in child welfare laws.
4.Describe the methods of social work practice. (NB)
1.Case work → Micro - level
Case work is social work practice with individuals and families and is the basis of most social
work interventions. It uses specific theories to engage with, assess and plan specific treatment
programmes, and render appropriate intervention services.
2.Group work → Mezzo - level
Group work is a method of working with people in groups, where the social worker strategically
guides members of the group to offer each other support, assistance and experience to resolve
existing problems. Thus group work is a goal-directed activity with small groups of people.
, 3.Community work → Macro - level
Community work is where the community is the client and the needs of the community are
paramount, taking into account the availability of community resources. The principles of
advocacy and social action are key to facilitating social work with communities.
4.Generalist social work → All levels
Generalist practice includes promoting human well - being and applying preventive and
intervention methods to social problems at individual, group and community levels while
following ethical principles and critical thinking.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1.Name the reasons why social workers use different methods in social work practice. (NB)
Social workers utilize various methods in their practice because the challenges faced by
individuals, families, groups, and communities are diverse and complex, requiring tailored
interventions to promote well-being and resolve issues. These methods are considered "tools",
integrated to address difficulties across different levels of social functioning and within various
social systems.
Here are the key reasons why social workers employ different methods:
1.Addressing Diverse Problems and Needs
2.Understanding the Person-in-Environment Context
3.Responding to Different Types of Social Functioning
4.Intervening at Multiple System Levels
5.Adapting to Environmental Press
6.Achieving Broad Social Work Goals
Ultimately, social work methods are integrated to achieve overarching goals: "develop clients’
personal competencies, strengthen families, organise neighbourhoods and communities,
humanise bureaucratic organisations, and create responsive social institutions". Generalist
social work practice, by using a wide range of prevention and intervention methods, seeks to
promote human and social well-being across individual, group, and community levels, while
adhering to ethical principles and critical thinking. This may include brief encounters or more
intensive interventions.
2.Explain how an eco - map can be used as a tool in doing case work. (NB)
How eco - maps are used in case work:
Purpose Explanation
Details facets of transactions Eco-maps provide specific information about the
various aspects of interactions and exchanges
occurring between a service user and different
systems in their life.
UNIT OUTCOMES:
1.Summarise the ecosystems perspective as an organising framework for general social work.
The ecosystems perspective serves as an organizing framework for generalist social work
practice by integrating two foundational theories:
1.One theory seeks to explain and understand individual human behavior.
2.The other theory focuses on the social environment in which the individual functions.
Social work combines these two theories into the person-in-environment (PIE) concept.
The ecosystems perspective focuses on how individuals thrive in particular environments. It
simultaneously focuses on the social environment and the interrelationships of people with each
other and their environment. It views a human being as a subsystem within a hierarchy of larger
systems, such as family and community.
It emphasizes that systems are synergistic, meaning the whole is more than the sum of its parts,
and separate parts cannot be simply added together to describe the whole. The focus is on the
interaction within and between systems and the patterns of these interactions, highlighting the
significance of relationships.
The ideas from the systems perspective complement the ecological perspective for generalist
social work practice. The term "ecology" originates in biological sciences, referring to the
interrelationships between living organisms and their physical and biological environments.
Applying these principles to human relationships emphasizes the interrelationships between
interpersonal and wider environmental factors that influence the degree of risk or resilience.
2.Classify the types of social functioning and include an example of each. (NB)
1.Effective social functioning
Competent systems activate personal, interpersonal, and institutional resources to deal with
problems, issues and needs. These resources are relatively available and accessible to these
systems in social structures.
These systems recognise their problems and take the necessary steps to resolve them. These
include individuals who are able to adjust successfully to stresses resulting from life transitions
such as marriage and divorce, parenting, the death of a loved one, or retirement.
Example: A student balancing school, work and social life well.
2.At risk social functioning
Some populations or social systems are at risk of difficulties in social functioning. They are
vulnerable to specific problems, although such problems have yet to surface.
Through case finding, social workers attempt to identify those groups that are at risk of
difficulties and offer services to them before the onset of actual problems. Social workers offer
these groups outreach information, support, and education services as a prevention measure.
Example: A single parent with financial difficulties and limited social support.
,3.Difficulties in social functioning
In some human systems, problems become so exacerbated that the ability to cope is diminished
or the system is immobilized and unable to initiate a change process. In some situations,
systems may recognize serious problems that inhibit their ability to function. In other situations,
society may label the behaviour of the system as unacceptable or dysfunctional.
Such is the case with criminal offenders, perpetrators of child abuse, and institutions that violate
civil rights. Society imposes sanctions on all types of systems for the violation of laws and other
social norms.
Example: Someone experiencing chronic substance abuse without support.
3.Contrast social work intervention with client systems at the micro, meso and macro levels.
Method: Case work Group work Community work
Level: Micro level. Mezzo level. Macro level.
Focus: Individual, family, small Small to medium sized Large scale social
group. groups and systems and policies.
organizations.
Activity: Counseling, case Group therapy, support Advocacy, policy
management, connecting groups, working with development, lobbying,
clients to resources. communities or schools. community organising.
Setting: Schools, clinics, Community centers, Government agencies,
hospitals, private schools, organisations. NGOs, research
practice. institutions.
Example: Helping someone cope Facilitating a support Advocating for changes
with mental illness. group for teen mothers. in child welfare laws.
4.Describe the methods of social work practice. (NB)
1.Case work → Micro - level
Case work is social work practice with individuals and families and is the basis of most social
work interventions. It uses specific theories to engage with, assess and plan specific treatment
programmes, and render appropriate intervention services.
2.Group work → Mezzo - level
Group work is a method of working with people in groups, where the social worker strategically
guides members of the group to offer each other support, assistance and experience to resolve
existing problems. Thus group work is a goal-directed activity with small groups of people.
, 3.Community work → Macro - level
Community work is where the community is the client and the needs of the community are
paramount, taking into account the availability of community resources. The principles of
advocacy and social action are key to facilitating social work with communities.
4.Generalist social work → All levels
Generalist practice includes promoting human well - being and applying preventive and
intervention methods to social problems at individual, group and community levels while
following ethical principles and critical thinking.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1.Name the reasons why social workers use different methods in social work practice. (NB)
Social workers utilize various methods in their practice because the challenges faced by
individuals, families, groups, and communities are diverse and complex, requiring tailored
interventions to promote well-being and resolve issues. These methods are considered "tools",
integrated to address difficulties across different levels of social functioning and within various
social systems.
Here are the key reasons why social workers employ different methods:
1.Addressing Diverse Problems and Needs
2.Understanding the Person-in-Environment Context
3.Responding to Different Types of Social Functioning
4.Intervening at Multiple System Levels
5.Adapting to Environmental Press
6.Achieving Broad Social Work Goals
Ultimately, social work methods are integrated to achieve overarching goals: "develop clients’
personal competencies, strengthen families, organise neighbourhoods and communities,
humanise bureaucratic organisations, and create responsive social institutions". Generalist
social work practice, by using a wide range of prevention and intervention methods, seeks to
promote human and social well-being across individual, group, and community levels, while
adhering to ethical principles and critical thinking. This may include brief encounters or more
intensive interventions.
2.Explain how an eco - map can be used as a tool in doing case work. (NB)
How eco - maps are used in case work:
Purpose Explanation
Details facets of transactions Eco-maps provide specific information about the
various aspects of interactions and exchanges
occurring between a service user and different
systems in their life.
