SECOND WEEK: PRACTICE FRAMEWORKS

KWABENA FRIMPONG-MANSO (PH.D)

What is a Practice Framework• In social work, it is not possible to separate

theory from practice

• In fact, practice is the process of using knowledge and applying theory in order to bring about specific types of change

• A framework can be thought of as an outline of ideas that help one to understand people, how people function, and how people change.

Practice Frameworks

Perspectives Theories Models

TYPES OF PRACTICE FRAMEWORKS

• Perspective: – it is a lens through which one views human

behavior and social structures –guide the selection of intervention

strategies. –It serves to focus on or magnify a particular

feature while placing other features in the background.

• Examples : Ecosystem, strengths, feminist, and ethnic-sensitive practice

TYPES OF PRACTICE FRAMEWORKS

• Theory offers an –explanation of certain behaviors or

situations –broad guidelines about how those

behaviors or situations can be changed. – It serves as a road map for an intervention

that will bring about a certain type of change.

• Examples: behavioural theory, psychodynamic theory

TYPES OF PRACTICE FRAMEWORKS

• Practice Model is a –set of concepts and principles used to

guide certain interventions. –A model is not tied to a particular

explanation of behavior. –They are step-by-step guides for client

sessions and develops out of actual experience or experimentation.

• Example: crisis intervention, task centered

ECO-SYSTEM/ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

• Purpose: Guides the social worker’s focus toward viewing the client as a person-in-environment

• Description:– Theory: based on ecology and systems theory,

it emerged as a model during the 1960s in opposition to the medical model

– Environmental factors were shown to be as important as internal factors in causing a client’s problems.

– Ecology focuses on the relationship between organisms and their environment

ECO-SYSTEM/ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

• Individuals develop within ecosystems • The person’s environment can promote

or curtail the opportunities and well-being of individuals

• Emphasises the dysfunctional transactions between people and their physical and social environments.

• Highlights a range of factors that might otherwise been overlooked

ECO-SYSTEM/ECOLOGICAL PERSP

client

Macro: cultural, religion,

economic etc

Microhome

Meso:school,

neighbourhood

Exo: powerful

institutions and

practices

ECO-SYSTEM/ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

• Application–Most useful during the assessment stage of

the helping process–Understand the issues and strengths in your

client individually and also in their relationships, community and society

• The social worker using this model can focus on:–The client and seeks to develop their problem-

solving, coping and adaptive capacities

ECO-SYSTEM/ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

–Relationship between a client and the systems and link the person with needed resources, services and opportunities– seek to reform systems to meet the needs

of the individual more effectively (e.g. Brazil universities)– Use of an Ecomap: a tool used to draw a

client’s eco-system (also Genogram)• Client groups: individual with personal,

relational and resource needs

ECOMAP• It is a visual tool that can provide useful

information about clients and their social context• A ecomap should be undertaken with the client

using the following steps:1. On a board or large paper and draw a large circle in

the centre with the client’s name in the middle2. Draw between six to ten smaller circles around the

large one with the following labels: friends, partner or lover; religion, work, recreation, health etc.

3. Draw a straight line (______)= strong relationship; (-----) = relationship is stressed4. Review the eco-map with your client

ECOMAP

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES

• Purpose: to improve the social functioning of clients by helping them learn new behaviours or stop behaviours that are ineffective or inappropriate

• Description:–Theory: Behaviorism (psychological theory)–Central belief is that behaviour is the

outcome of learning–Humans react to stimuli in their

environment.

BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH

• Behaviourists (e.g. Freud, Erickson) believe that human beings learn from what they see and therefore imitate or model their behaviour

• The behavioural approach is scientific because it measures behaviour prior to, during and after an intervention

• Underpinned by operant condition, social learning and cognitive behaviour modification

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES: APPLICATION

• Behaviour modification:– a method of teaching people to change

their behaviour thru systematic use of reinforcements and punishments– Seeks to reduce unwanted behaviour

(e.g.tantrums) and increase positive or socially acceptable behaviour.– Increase particular behaviour by rewarding

or reinforcing (tangible e.g. toys, trips or intangible e.g. praise, attention, hugs)

BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES: APPLICATION• Social worker who uses this approach must:– Identify with the client the behaviour to be changed– Help the client understand the damage or harm that

behaviour has caused– Client must be open to learn a new behaviour

• Goal or objective• Objective must be observable and measurable.

– Professional monitors increase or decrease in the behaviour for change

• Client groups: self-mutilation and dependency on alcohol

CRISIS INTERVENTION• Purpose: – It seeks to address individuals who are in an acute

psychological crisis.• Description– People face a crisis when they perceive or

experience an event which find it extremely difficult or impossible to handle

– their normal methods of problem-solving do not seem to work and they can’t understand how services might be organized to help them through

– Can be brought on by a single event or a series of mishaps

CRISIS INTERVENTION• Application– The crisis intervention model has six steps

(James & Gilliland, 2001)• Define the problem• Ensure client safety• Provide support• Examine alternatives•Make plans• Obtain commitment

IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICE FRAMEWORKS

• They provide a structure for analyzing complex and often highly emotional human problems and situations

• They organize information, beliefs, and assumptions into a meaningful whole

• They provide a rationale for action and decision making

• They promote a systematic, orderly, and predictable approach to work with people

• They facilitate communication among professionals.