Progressive Social Work Approaches and Practice Models

Vocabulary terms and definitions extracted from the social work lecture notes, including progressive views, social work practice levels, systems theory, intervention models, and CASW values.

Residual View

A social work view providing a limited response only when all else fails, based on the premise that needs are met through family and market economy, stepping in with low benefits targeted to those most in need.

Institutional View

A social work view existing so everyone has a reasonable standard of living and health, where access to income supports and social services promotes solidarity and evens out inequalities.

Anti-Oppressive Theory

A cluster of theories aiming to understand and respond to oppressive social conditions and relationships, seeking to address power imbalances in society.

Structural Theory

A social work theory that goes beyond the analysis of the immediate family and community to take a broader view of socio-economic factors.

Critical Theory

An analysis of socio-economic structures that exploit and oppress people, such as class, race, age, gender, ability, education, or sexuality.

Direct Social Work

Face-to-face work with individuals or groups through counselling, group work, and community development, normally done through public social services agencies like hospitals or child welfare agencies.

Indirect Social Work

Work with organizations that look into social policies and programs, social services agencies, research groups, and other groups helping others in need.

Micro Social Work

Direct social work practice with individuals and families.

Mezzo Social Work

Social work practice with groups and communities.

Macro Social Work

Working with organizations and communities to improve and change laws and policies in general society.

Generalist Social Work Practice

Social work practice with the basic goal to facilitate the social well-being and functioning of a person in their environment.

Microsystem

A system level in systems theory that includes family, community centre, health services, places of worship, and peers.

Mesosystem

A system level in systems theory representing connections between microsystems, such as a parent-teacher conference.

Exosystem

A system level in systems theory containing friends of family, neighbours, mass media, social welfare services, and legal services.

Macrosystems

A system level in systems theory encompassing the attitudes and ideologies of the culture.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practice Model (CBT)

A practice model positing that distress and disorders are maintained by cognitive factors, where thoughts and beliefs determine emotional and behavioural responses.

Mindfulness-Based Practice Model

A practice model focused on paying attention to the present moment with open-mindedness, non-judgement, and acceptance, shifting from a doing to a being mode.

Solutions-Focused Practice Model

A practice model based on the belief that individuals have the inner resources to resolve conflicts and contribute to their own change by identifying their competencies, skills, and support networks.

Narrative Based Practice Model

A practice model that seeks to help individuals identify their skills and knowledge to confront problems, with the worker helping the client co-author a new narrative.

Strength-Based Practice

An individual-level approach that recognizes people's strengths and weaknesses, avoids pathologizing, and encourages client-worker collaboration to work towards change.

Respecting Dignity and Worth of Everybody

A CASW value requiring social workers to recognize, promote, uphold, and respect the dignity, autonomy, human rights, and freedoms of all individuals.

Promoting Social Justice

A CASW value requiring social workers to uphold the rights of everyone to receive equal access to services, resources, and opportunities regardless of oppression, racism, and discrimination.

Pursuing Truth and Reconciliation

A CASW value requiring social workers to uphold the values and principles of reconciliation and acknowledge Indigenous world views.

Valuing Human Relationships

A CASW value requiring social workers to place the well-being and interest of all people at the centre of their relationships.

Preserving Integrity in Professional Practice

A CASW value requiring social workers to uphold utmost integrity, professional boundaries, accountability, and to avoid conflicts of interest.

Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality

A CASW value requiring social workers to protect trust, respect confidentiality rights, and remain transparent about limits to confidentiality.

Providing Competent Professional Services

A CASW value stating that social workers must continuously develop their knowledge and skill to provide services.

Social Change/Social Justice Mandate

Working in solidarity with those who are disadvantaged or excluded from society to eliminate existing barriers, inequalities, and injustices.