What is the usefulness of social work theories to social work practitioners?

Answer 1

Social Work Theory informs the practice of a Social Worker by giving them a frame of reference to work from in relation to problem solving. Social Work Theory also enhances practice by explaining why Society is the way it is, and also goes further to explain why Clients face the problems they do. Social Work Theory can also help find solutions and inform the social worker about the intricate problems a client faces. For Instance - a client sitting on welfare day after day with no motivation and no desire to find a job - can be explained as being relative to "Structural Theory". Thereby meaning that the structures set up in society have contributed to the self helplessness of the individual. A structure may be centrelink which simply hands out the benefit without the client not having to do anything in return. Clients who live like this are referred to in Social Work circles as having learned to be helpless through a system that supports and socializes them into this state of helplessness and inability or desire to do anything. Systems theory goes onto explain the holisitic dynamic that a client of family lives in. Say a Family is being investigated by Child Protection. The Child Protectionist would look at that Family and the system in which they live to see what part of the system can be strengthened so that child abuse stops. Part of the Family System includes, School, Employment, Community, Medical, Extended Family and so on. If one part of the system collapses in a family, pressure is put on that family. When pressure is put on a family some times abuse occurs. As employment and work is part of the system, if the father loses his job, he may start drinking. When drunk he may abuse the child. The Social Worker would then identify that in the System of the Family - the fathers unemployment has contributed to the abuse of the child - and would therefore go about fixing the unemployment problem with the father and alleviate the pressure so he would stop drinking and abusing the child. Such Frameworks and Theories are tools that Social Workers use every day. Feminist Theories help explain Domestic Violence. Sociology Theories help inform Social Work Policy. Theory makes a Social Worker Intelligent and informed. All theories are covered in a proper 4 year Bachelor Degree, only partially covered in a 2 year qualifying Masters Degree in Social Work - (which really just lightly touches on subjects and is not as good as the 4 year degree. The two year qualifying Masters is not really a Masters Degree in Social Work. A true Masters Degree in Social Work covers 5 years of Social Work Coursework and research). The qualifying Masters is perceived by employers to be a shortcut. Theory is not covered at all in a Diploma of Welfare.