Integrating theory and practice: A new heuristic paradigm for social work practice

2005 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Poulter
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory And Practice

scholarly journals ‘Doing’ Social Work: Critical Considerations on Theory and Practice in Social Work

10.18060/1976 ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Herz ◽  
Thomas Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Critical Theory ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Engineering ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Critical Theories ◽  
Scientific Context ◽  
Social Scientific

Social work is a multi-dimensional and contradictory field of practice, which often leads to theoretical confusion. Another tendency within social work today is the development of an evidence-based practice. This kind of social engineering, together with the theoretical confusion, might lead to the reproduction and strengthening of dominant discourses and perspectives. Pointing out the need for critical theory to transgress and resist hegemonic practices, the article aims to present ideas on how to theoretically position social work practice within a framework of critical theory. The question is how to combine an ambition to develop suitable methods and to anchor social work in a sound social-scientific context with critical theories concerning, for instance, gender, ethnicity, and class. It is suggested that a movement towards a more deconstructive and reflexive mode of thinking and practicing social work, ‘doing social work’, would enable the field to become more ethical and reflexive.

Epistemology

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Hugh Cole
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Necessary Conditions ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Social Work Theory ◽  
Pluralistic World

This entry discusses principal ways in which knowledge and knowing have been understood within philosophy, science, and social science, with implications for contemporary social work practice. Attention is given to various types of knowledge, its necessary conditions, scope, and sources. It focuses particularly on how practice wisdom remains a key source of knowledge for social work theory and practice, and suggests that greater epistemological clarity could further competent social work practice in an increasingly pluralistic world.

Conclusions

2019 ◽  
pp. 187-204
Author(s):  
Matthew Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Case Study Site ◽  
And Control

This chapter reviews and summarises the theory proposed throughout this book. It considers this theory within the context of the case-study site used as an example throughout. While all child and family social work organisations will interpret the wider systemic pressures individually and have their own regional needs and local idiosyncrasies, the case example provides an illustration of how pride and shame can be used in political attempts to shape, direct and control public services. In addition, it also demonstrates the complexity of the decision-making process, where experiences, or the anticipation, of pride, shame and other self-conscious emotions drive practitioners to comply with, or resist, such pressures. These processes are not reserved specifically for child and family social work, however. Indeed, the whole welfare state and governmental apparatus has been going through a transformation as neoliberal ideas, agendas and values have become embedded into political, media and public discourse. These ideas, therefore, relate to other disciplines and practices. This chapter sketches out the conditions needed for authenticity and pride in social work practice before concluding with possible future directions in the theory and practice of pride and shame in professional practice

scholarly journals The Role of Collaboration and Coordination In Social Work Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 445-466
Author(s):  
Nedreta Šerić
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Social Reaction

Social work, in the theoretical discourse, is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary occupation. This fact has been confirmed throughout the history of the development of social work and has inevitably been reflected in practice. Social workers need to collaborate and coordinate, in everyday practice, with different services, agencies, institutions, and organizations. There is a legal framework for a multi-sector approach, namely for the participation of stakeholders from the governmental, non-governmental, civil, and private sectors, but also from the ranks of religious communities and individuals. The focus of this paper is to analyze the role of collaboration and coordination through the scope of theory and practice, in different areas of professional practice of social work. Collaboration is important on many different levels, as well as coordination of agendas designed by different stakeholders. Perceived as connective elements, collaboration and coordination make way for more efficient social activities, optimal use of resources, and timely social reaction to different issues and social needs of a specific local community. In a wider context, this also leads to raising the level of efficiency, which is a significant issue in contemporary social work practice. Furthermore, this paper will also shed a light on possibilities and limitations, causes, and reasons for collaboration, as well as on different kinds of collaboration and problems in the process of establishing and maintaining the collaboration. The paper also includes legal background and research focused on collaboration and coordination in social work.

scholarly journals Surrender and Contemporary Social Work Theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan C. Duckham ◽  
Meagan J. Greenfield
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Time Limits ◽  
Social Work Theory ◽  
Practice Models ◽  
Faith Traditions ◽  
And Control

Surrender is an important and foundational spiritual/religious belief and practice found within many faith traditions. However, despite this important practice, valued by many clients who see social workers, little has been done to integrate this concept into social work theory and practice. This paper examines the fundamental beliefs of psychodynamic theory and practice, as well as several recent social work practice models, as they relate to spiritual surrender. It is suggested that areas of cooperation and conflict exist between the fundamental tenets of these models and the practice of surrender. These areas of difference and commonality have important practice implications for religious/spiritual clients. A danger exists within social work theory and practice to overemphasize time limits and control for some religious/spiritual clients.

scholarly journals Professionals unprepared: A critical appraisal of social work practice at the Drugs Abuse Rehabilitation Centres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-120
Author(s):  
Shakeel Ahmad ◽  
Abida Bano
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Social Work Theory

Social work is a practice-based profession that facilitates, enables, and rehabilitates the neglected segments of society facing various issues, including substance abuse. However, social workers' efficiency in substance use rehabilitation is constrained by several factors. Pakistan follows the imported theoretical models of social work, which face enormous challenges during implementation for lacking contextual understanding. This study examines professional social workers' role to examine the challenges in providing institutional service delivery in substance (drugs) abuse treatment centres in Pakistan. The study found that the social work theory and practice gap hurts services delivery in Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Centres through qualitative approaches. Training in social work theory does not adequately equip the students to provide the required social services at the drugs rehabilitation centres. Donor-driven social work drives and demotivated social workers testify to the mismatch between social work theory and practice. Indigenous philanthropy models and broadening institutional support could remedy the situation.

scholarly journals The White Paper for Vulnerable Children and the Munro Review of Child Protection in England: a comparative critique

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Hyslop
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Practice Knowledge

The apparent understandings of knowledge for child protection social work practice which inform the New Zealand White Paper for Vulnerable Children are contrasted with the views expressed in the Munro Review of Child Protection in England. It is argued that the rational-technical view of child protection practice knowledge critiqued in the Munro Review is the driving influence in the White Paper. It is further suggested that the White Paper is underpinned by neoliberal conceptions of individuated responsibility which conflict with the socially situated and relational understandings which are native to the theory and practice of social work. Consequently, the socio-technical social work practice knowledge form recognised and promoted in the Munro Review is marginalised in the White Paper. It is also argued that the failings of the child protection system in Aotearoa New Zealand are more appropriately associated with political and managerial misapprehension of knowledge for competent practice than with the shortcomings of social work as a vehicle for effective child protection. It is suggested that it is high time for the social work voice to be rediscovered and reasserted if effective, relationally engaged, practice with high needs children and their families is to be developed and promoted in politically challenging times.

Empathy: An Integral Model in Clinical Social Work

Social Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177
Author(s):  
Arthur J Clark ◽  
Carrie M Butler
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Clinical Social Work ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Integral Model ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Treatment Practice

Abstract Empathy has held a vital and enduring standing in the theory and practice of clinical social work. Defining and conceptualizing empathy is a continuing challenge in social work and across the human services. A multitude of definitions of empathy exist in the therapeutic literature, creating confusion relating to research findings and treatment processes. Recent trends emphasize an overarching and expansive way of conceiving empathic understanding in the therapeutic relationship and informing treatment practice. Multiple perspectives of empathy facilitate a broad and wide-ranging engagement of the practitioner and the client in the therapeutic process. With significant implications for clinical social workers, an integral model capitalizes on the engagement of empathy from multiple ways of knowing: subjective, objective, and interpersonal. Numerous clinical examples illustrate applications of the tripartite model in social work practice. The integral empathy model is amenable to research and training across therapeutic contexts in social work and related fields.

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