Key Social Work Frameworks for Sociologists

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the distinctiveness of social work and sociology, their differences and similarities, and their converging and diverging histories. It also provides the rationale for subsequent chapters, wherein we will tease out the frameworks, theoretical concepts, values, and skills that social work offers to sociology. This chapter focuses on the conceptual frameworks that have currency in social work and offers sociologists the opportunity to expand on their understanding and analysis of the connections between social and personal problems. We begin with a brief discussion of frameworks as used in social work and then introduce Aleena and her family as a case study to which we later apply those frameworks. The first framework considered is that of critical reflection; in many respects, this is considered to be the framework of current social work practice. Many other frameworks used in social work practice have either been adapted to include critical reflection or been rejected as outmoded or as inappropriate in a critically reflective practice environment. In addition to the critical reflection framework, we will explore frameworks focusing on strengths, competencies, and success (Dybicz 2012); ecosystems approaches; anti-oppressive and empowerment frameworks; rights-based frameworks; indigenous frameworks, with a particular focus on frameworks used by the indigenous people of New Zealand; and finally, task-centered approaches. All of these continue to have a significant impact on social work practice and offer sociologists new ways of viewing vulnerable people in society. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.