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Learning Outcome 1

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Learning Outcome 1

Theories refer to specific sets of interrelated constructs and concepts that offer a framework

for the discernment of how and why things work of fail to work. Models are recommendation

based upon theories that offer direction and guidance for practitioners while approaches are less

prescribed (Gehlert & Browne, 2011, p. 126). Put differently, theories provide the instruments

for contemplate problems or needs while approaches and models provide guidelines for

interventions and actions. Community Waitakere is a charitable organization whose vision is to

ensure a sustainable Waitekere with flourishing, prosperous, and connected communities. In a

human services agency such as Community Waitakere, which is a registered charity, the staff

and volunteers, as well as the concerned members of the community all come together within

this setting. Their interaction and relations plays an important role in determining whether the

organization operates as a system or simply as an incongruent collection of parts. While the

pursuit is social justice will likely endure to be both a challenge and a mirage, a practice model

for the initiation of change within the community and the organization demonstrates how various

theories may occasion specific actions.

The person-in-environment perspective, also known as the psychosocial, person-in-situation,

or biopsychosocial perspective, has been the fundamental organizing focus of approaches in

social work profession (Cowles, 2012, p. 12). This approach emphasizes the interdependence of

individuals within social networks, the community, and the larger environment. From the

inception of social work, the profession has drawn from several disciplines such as sociology,

biology, psychology, anthropology, political science, and economics in informing its theoretical

base. With time, it has endeavored, with more or less levels of success, to create to create data

from these different disciplines to develop theory and practice models reflecting its traditional

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twin focus, which include improving social conditions and enhancing the biopsychosocial

functioning of groups and individuals.

One theory that appears to have significant relevance to the operations of Community

Waitakere is the systems theory, which contends that any entity, whether a community, an

organization, or a group is made up of multiple entities. An organization such as Community

Waitakere can be best discerned as a system with interwoven components and certain principles

that help in understanding the system. The system needs resources to function effectively, and

these come in the form of knowledge, equipment, funding, legitimacy, and people. These

resources interact with the entire system thereby leading to the desired outcome (Hepworth &

Larsen, 2009, p. 18). The community served by the Community Waitakere is not a single system

but a network of systems in which formal and informal individuals and groups interact. Given

the d multifariousness among various groups and subgroups, the community has a wide range of

functional and structural possibilities that do not adhere to a centralized objective.

In an organizational setting, systems approach discloses the difficulty involved in recognizing

several groups such as clerical staff, professional staff, the board, management, funding sources,

clients, and the wider community that all have various stakes in the activities if the organization

and the people it serves. Such a theoretical perspective serves to remind the practitioners that

organizations are multipart systems set in larger community systems, and interact on a daily

basis. Values, which refer to the principles and norms that the members of a social system regard

as essential, are key to social work practice. Values are somewhat similar to theories in the sense

that they offer frameworks within which situations can be understood and analyzed. Because

codes of ethics act as guidelines for social work professional practice, it is important to be

familiar with the content and inadequacies of written codes.

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Matauranga Maori models or theories may be defined as the comprehension, understanding,

or knowledge of all visible an invisible things in the universe and is frequently in a synonymous

manner with wisdom. In the modern world, the definition often extends to present day local,

historic, and traditional knowledge, aspirations, goals, systems of knowledge storage and

transfer, as well as other issues that are considered from an indigenous perspective. Community

Waitakere has been involved in several collaborative programs that involve considerable aspects

of mātauranga Maori, including programs that relate to Maori values for land use, sustainable

development, and ecosystem health. The Maori are increasingly looking for ways that can assist

them in building capacity and developing frameworks through which they can manage their own

resources.

Psychological theories also extensively influence the assessment and intervention with

individual clients by Community Waitakere. Psychodynamic theory is concerned with the

manner in which internal processes such as drives, emotions, and needs motivate human actions.

Emotions play a key role in behavior of individuals (Goldstein, 2010, p. 4). Conscious, as well as

unconscious mental activity acts as a motivating factor in influencing human behavior. It is

important to note that early childhood experiences are key in defining an individual’s emotions

and are central important to the problems of living. Individuals often employ ego defense

mechanisms in avoiding being overwhelmed by external or internal demands. Understanding the

professional task, as well as mission of social work that incorporates macro interventions and

values the practitioners tasked with performing roles is central to understanding why macro

practice is essential. Fundamentally, social workers are entrusted with a mission of being able to

intercede with an individual service recipient, followed by an expert move into a larger system

that will have an impact on the lives of many individuals. Correspondingly, the person-is-

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political approach emphasizes the idea that individuals cannot be observed as separate from the

society. The actions of individuals have an effect on the people around them and can have

extensive implications for others within the community or organization.

In discussing the application of the systems model to the organization’s practice, a long-term

homelessness case example has been discussed. Community Waitakere assigned a social worker

to coordinate the efforts of key community stakeholders in addressing the problem of long-term

homelessness. The stakeholders were part of a team sponsored by the local government to

address problems associated the problems of chronic homelessness for individuals with

disabilities. In the process, Community Waitakere, through the assigned social worker, elected to

address the problem through a pilot community. The social worker was tasked with developing a

housing first model project in the community. This model refers to an invention in homeless

services that is different from the conventional treatment first model (Rosenberger, 2014, p.

275). It assumes that homeless people need the permanence of stable housing to succeed.

Conversely, treatment first models presuppose that homeless people need services to make them

ready for housing.

Participants in the program, as well as the various stakeholders, had undeniable support that

housing first models were a promising practice in reducing long-term homelessness, as well as

the costs associated with homelessness in several cities across New Zealand. They decided to

concentrate their pilot endeavors on long-term homelessness among individuals with austere and

persistent mental illness. Following the creation of a steering committee and the identification of

Community Waitakere to implement the pilot program, the committee identified a social worker

to spearhead the efforts. This professional was appointed to coordinate a project that was initially

developed by an alliance of community stakeholders. His practice background gave him the

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requisite knowledge in understanding issues regarding homelessness and mental health.

However, his role in the coordination of the community effort required a profusion of reflection.

This illustrates the systems theory in which both the community and the organization, in this case

the Community Waitakere, is made of several entities or interwoven components that needs

resources in the form of knowledge, funding, and people to function effectively.

Contemporary social work practice has its roots on the many social movements during the

nineteenth century, as well as two relatively discrete perspectives with respect to the origins of

human problems. These include perspectives that saw the people as the focus for change, as well

as that viewed problems that existed in the human environment as a contributing factor to human

distress. Systems theory is important in guiding the planned change model. Social workers with

skills in macro practice are responsible for developing strong and robust support systems, find

means of accomplishing self-care, channel energies, prioritize their efforts, and utilize their

discernment of macro systems in cooperating with others to effect the necessary changes in the

systems.

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References

Cowles, L. A. (2012). Social Work in the Health Field: A Care Perspective. Hoboken, NJ:

Taylor and Francis.

Gehlert, S., & Browne, T. (2011). Handbook of Health Social Work. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Goldstein, E. G. (2010). Object Relations Theory and Self Psychology in Social Work Practice.

New York, NY: Free Press.

Hepworth, D. H., & Larsen, J. A. (2009). Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills. Pacific

Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Rosenberger, J. B. (2014). Relational Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations: A

Relational Approach. New York, NY: Springer.

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