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Social Work Theory Essay

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Social work Theory Essay

Introduction
This essay will explain how Social work is about dealing with various problems within society and how Social work theories provide a framework which enable Social work practice find an effective solution to the issue at hand. It will explain how Social work theory draws on linking those theories and putting it into practice and that the relationship between the two aspects are imperative. The interrelationships between Theory and Practice.
Social work is about dealing with society and the issues they have in their daily life. Society is complex and therefore having theories to work with can empower the Social worker as much as a client. The theories shape the course of action taken or the practice.
Theories are described in Payne (2014) as generalized ideas that can describe our knowledge of situations and the world in which we live in an organised manner (p.3). Specifically in relation to social work theory, Payne (p.5) simply states it helps us do or understand social work.
Nash, Munford & O’Donoghue describe how theory informs practice which in turn informs theory in action and describes it as a ‘map’ (p.15).
Without being able to understand Social work, let alone do it in practice you would not assist the client and therefore is a key piece within the jigsaw of Social work.
According to Payne (p.9) there are four different ways to approach theory; Perspectives which allows you to look at situations from different points of view, Frameworks are a more solid systematic way of viewing a situation, models set out a sequence of events when looking at particular actions that may be taken in relation to a situation and finally explanatory theory which is why a situation may have occurred.
Social workers prefer to use these frameworks rather than allow their personal views or beliefs to over shadow their practice

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