Systems Approach in Social Work Practice

SYSTEMS APPROACH TO SOCIAL WORK PRACTICEARUN PA

UL, MAHAT

MA GANDHI U

NIVERSIT

Y

SYSTEMS APPROACH IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE• What is Systems Theory? • Biological Models • A Case Study • The Pincus and Minahan model • Strengths of the Approach

SOCIAL SYSTEMS DEFINITION

K.S.R.T.C.

AN EXAMPLE

FUTHUR EXAMPLES

• Examples of simple systems are babysitting circles, allotment societies, kudumbasree units

• Examples of complex systems are neighbourhoods, families, kinship networks, church / faith groups, peer groups, social communities

SYSTEMS THEORY: ROOTS

“Things do not have a meaning in themselves, but only in relation to other things” (Saying from Eastern philosophy)

Society is “an organism of functionally interdependent parts evolving through structural differentiation” (Herbert Spencer: The Study of Sociology)

BIOLOGICAL MODAL

• The whole is equal to more than the sum of its parts

• Systems are highly organized• Boundaries are very important, as

are patterned transactions• The behavior of the individual cannot

be understood without reference to the system to which s/he belongs

INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Systems theory springs from biology.

• It is content free and applicable to many fields of study.

INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS• Its function is to focus the attention on the

diverse systems in which any complex living entity participates.

• Systems are organized wholes comprised of component parts that interact in a distinct way over time.

• In its time it was revolutionary because it emphasized the interrelatedness and mutual interdependence of systems elements.

INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• The emphasis is on the complex and diverse factors that can influence any specific human behaviour.

SOME BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

• A social system is made up of individuals, interrelated to constitute a whole.

• The limits of a social system are defined by established or arbitrary boundaries.

• Boundaries give a social system its focus and identity as distinct from other social systems with which it interacts.

SOME BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

• A systems environment is by definition outside the systems boundaries.

• The life of a social system is more than the sum of its member’s activities.

• A social system can be studied as a network of unique, interlocking relationships with identifiable structural and communications patterns.

SOME BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

• There is a high degree of organization and interdependence among members of a social system.

• All systems are sub-systems of larger systems.

• There is interdependence and interaction between and among social systems.

SOME BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

• A social system is adaptive and goal oriented or purposive.

• A change in one member of the social system affects the nature of the social system as a whole.

• Transactions or movements across social system boundaries influence a social systems functional capacity and internal structure as well as its ability to adapt.

SOME BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

• Change from within or outside a social system that moves the system to an imbalanced state will result in an attempt by the system to re-establish that balance (homeostasis).

FUNCTIONAL OR GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY• What has been described is essentially

Functional or General Systems Theory.• It places strong emphasis on the

maintenance of homeostasis.• Change tends to be seen as disruptive and

even causative of pathology.• It takes the analogy of biological organism

very literally but ignores the fact that change is also essential to viability.

FUNCTIONAL OR GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY• Systems maintain homeostasis by adequately performing

specific functions:• Adaptation is the ability to cope with changes in the external environment by obtaining necessary resources and modifying itself, the environment, or other systems to create a more hospitable situation.•Goal Attainment is the setting of priorities and the use of appropriate resources to obtain desired ends.• Integration is the process of organizing internally the activity of individuals who make up the system.• Latency is the process of maintaining motivation and dealing with internal tensions.

REMINDER – HOW WOULD OTHER THEORIES INTERVENE IN THIS CASE?1. Psychodynamic – would try to engage

with David’s inner world of feelings

2. Behavioural – identify and try to isolate those factors positively reinforcing David’s school refusal

3. Systems – as implied earlier – may use any one of above………BUT would also:

SYSTEMS THEORY INTERVENTION IN DAVID’S CASEEnquire into the way the actions of each family member

impact on the others – see diagram – slide 20

Encourage parents to go to school regularly to see teachers about David’s progress

Enquire about possible bullying at school & the nature of the ant-bullying policies

Make sure that the health care system is aware of the emotional aspects of D’s father’s health problems

Establish whether there were other forms of support available to D’s parents

Ensure the parents were aware of all potential benefits available to them

Systems Theory is making sure that the ‘problem’ is perceived in the round and in an inter-connected

manner……..

HUMANS AND SYSTEMS

All people depend upon human systems:

INFORMAL: family; friends; neighbourhoods

FORMAL: church; clubs; associations; trade unions

SOCIETAL: school; employer; authorities; state structures

(Pincus and Minahan, 1973)

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION FURTHER

INFORMATIONChange Agent

System

Social workers & the organisations they work in Not just social workers!

Client

System People, groups, families, communities who seek help

& engage with change agents

Actual clients have agreed to receive help & have engaged themselves;

potential clients are those with whom the sws are

trying to engage

Target

System

People whom the change agent system is trying to

change to achieve its aims

Client and target systems may or may not be the

same

Action

System

People with whom the change agent system works

to achieve its aims

Client, target & action systems may or may not be

the same

PINCUS & MINAHAN’S 4 BASIC SOCIAL WORK SYSTEMS

NOEL TIMMS’ THREE LEVELSMICRO: reference to interaction and

mutuality in personal peer relationships

MEZZO: access to resources, often facilitated by central figures, informal leaders

MACRO: relationship between people and more formal community organizations

STRENGTHS

• It offers a unitary approach by combining psychological, social and community approaches

• It is interactive – it facilitates being able to understand the impact of people on each other, as well the impact of systems on people & other systems

• It offers more than one way to tackle an issue – eclectic – not ‘stuck’ in one preferred approach

• It allows for the integration of approaches

STRENGHTS

• It focuses attention on the vast and diverse factors that influence even the most simple human behaviour.

• It highlights the role played by different systems in facilitating or inhibiting behavioural change.

• It cautions against the application of linear (tame) solutions to complex (wicked) systems problems.

DISCUSSIO

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