The Time is Right for a Common Conceptual Framework

1. The Time is Right for a Common Conceptual Framework Kentucky Conference on Social Work Practice and Education Feb 8-10, 2001 - Lexington, KY Richard Ramsay University of Calgary Note: Best Viewed with Explorer Browser

2. Dedicated To . . . . • Harriet Bartlett • Jim Billups • William Gordon • Dorothy Miller

3. Bartlett’s Concern . . . . • “. . . the lack of adequate words, terms, concepts to represent the important facets and components of the profession’s practice as a whole”Bartlett, 1970, p. 46.

4. Bartlett’s Dream . . . . • Graduates will leave schools of social work with “an initial grasp of social work’s full scope and content”Bartlett, 1970, p. 83.

5. Wakefield’s priority . . . . • “. . . The conceptual analysis of social work’s purpose should be high among the profession’s intellectual priorities”Wakefield, 1996, p. 210.

6. Begin with Conclusions

7. Common Conceptual Framework • Aligned with holistic worldview • Based on a common organizing framework • Utilizes Nature’s minimum whole system • Allows for co-existing opposites • Displays entity-relationship constellations • Highlights relationship-centered focus

8. Common Organizing Structure Tetrahedral Constellation 3-dimensional top view 2-dimensional unfolded view Multi-dimensional complex view

9. Common Conceptual Framework • Core Components • Domain of Practice • Paradigm of Profession • Domain of Social Worker • Methods of Practice

10. Common Conceptual Framework Scope of Social Work Map Domain of Practice relationship-connected pathways Paradigm of Profession Method of Practice 1 systematic (phase-like) Domain of Social Worker 3 systemic (network-like)

11. Revisiting the Working Definiton and Conceptual Framework Meetings

12. 1958 Working Definition Pentahedral Constellation Purpose Values Sanctions R = (n2-n)/2 R = (25-5)/2 R = 10 Method Knowledge

13. Purpose • Strengthen maximum potential in individual, groups, communities

14. Common Values • Interdependence of elements • Social responsibility for one another • Common needs; diversely unique • Right to realize full potential; expectation of active participation • Societal responsibility to prevent barriers

15. Sanctions • Agencies • Government and NGOs • Profession • Legislation, standards, code of ethics • ‘Safety net’ profession • ‘care for’ profession • Social assignment • Dependency problems (Popple, 1985) • Minimum distributive justice problems (Wakefield, 1996)

16. Knowledge • Human development • Giving and taking • Communicating • Group processes • Cultural heritage • Relationships • Community • Social services • Self

17. Methods • Orderly systematic mode • Disciplined use of self in relationship • Practitioner is facilitator of PIE interactions • Includes observation, assessment, plan of action • Aided by techniques and technology • Technical expertise to use knowledge

18. 1st CF Meeting: Is there a Common Conceptual Framework? • Commissioned papers • Pincus and Minahan • Resources, interaction, objectives, tasks and activities • Dean • Political philosophies cannot be ignored • Morris • A “caring for” profession • Cooper • A professional mechanism for inducing change • Read • Problem-oriented models that can be tested scientifically

19. Madison Meeting: Is there a Common Conceptual Framework? • Reaction papers • Morales • Over emphasis on knowledge to do clinical work • Simon • The basis for a common framework; time is not right • Gilbert • Absence of a well articulated conceptual framework • Alexander • Past dichotomies reconstructed and repeated

20. O’Hare Meeting: Purpose and Objective Hexahedral Constellation Purpose and Beliefs - Improved and clarified Objectives - added Purpose Objectives Values Sanctions R = (n2-n)/2 R = (36-6)/2 R = 15 Knowledge Method

21. O’Hare Meeting • Beliefs reworked • Purpose reworked • Functional objectives added • Direct practice articulated • Identified unit of attention targets • Silent on relationship-centred focus • Silent on indirect practice

22. Moving in the Direction of a Common Conceptual Framework-Definition Integration

23. Bartlett’s Common Base Triangular base Social functioning domain Broad Orientation Intervention repertoire

24. Beyond the Working Definition • Practitioner action, directed to a purpose • guided by values, knowledge and methods • Values and knowledge • interact in determining professional goals • Sanction • removed as a basic definer • Central concern of social work • not in WD, nor recognized as needed • Social workers • not taught to think holistically

25. Meyer Pincus & Minahan Middleman & Goldberg Goldstein Comptom & Galaway Geraine & Gitterman Shulman Johnson Sheafor et al Zastrow O’Neil O’Miley et al Beyond the Common Base: Systems Informed Models

26. Post Madison and O’Hare Meetings • 1982, IFSW international definition • common base elements • 2000, CASW National Scope of Practice • domain, preparation, practitioner, method • 2000, IFSW international definition • purpose, focus, knowledge, values

27. Can We Do What We Came Here To Do?

28. Reworking the Working Definition • Yes! A common conceptual framework is possible • No! We don’t have to repeat dichotomies • Yes! Bartlett’s dream of a comprehensive professional model can be achieved • We can do it!Make the WD elements an integral part of the conceptual framework

29. Common Conceptual Framework • based on minimum whole system constellation • tetrahedral • informed by Bartlett’s common base • Social functioning, broad orientation, intervention repertoire • informed by Wilber’s domain-method criteria • Identifiable domain/area of practice • Refutable method/intervention process • informed by Kuhn’s paradigm criteria • Common values, rules and standards of practice of a like-minded group

30. Common Conceptual Framework Operational Framework Domain of Social Work Social functioning - role performance - just environment challenges, strengths Paradigm of Profession Outcomes Method of Practice 1 systematic Domain of Social Worker SW functioning - competent - burn-out 3 systemic

31. Domain of Social Work Practice • Defining Purpose/Organizing Value • Informed by tensionally connected moral imperatives • Contains clear vision and mission • Guides the use of diverse repertoire of methods • Functional Objectives • Guided by defining purpose vision and mission • Informed by: • Diverse knowledge bases

32. Values Primary Instrumental Practice Options/Decisions Functions Modes of delivery/programs Knowledge curriculum Sanctions Social assignment (Popple) (Wakefield) Profession enabling Governments and NGOs Embracing and/or limiting Corporate world limiting Paradigm of Profession

33. Domain of Social Worker • disciplined use of self • personal-professional integration • ability to rise above personal beliefs

34. Methods of Practice • Intervention repertoire • Phase-like processes • Mixture of linear and non-linear dynamics • Dialectical/dialogical • Intervention-specific theories • Techniques • Skills

35. Think ConceptuallyPractice Specifically

36. Common Conceptual Framework Operational Framework Domain of Social Work Social functioning - role performance - just environment challenges, strengths Paradigm of Profession Outcomes Method of Practice 1 systematic Domain of Social Worker SW functioning - competent - burn-out 3 systemic

37. Back To The Conclusion

38. Futurist Vision • “How do we make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time through spontaneous cooperation without ecological damage or the disadvantage of anyone?” R.Buckminster Fuller

39. End of Paper

40. Response to Responder

41. individual concern worldview base Divided whole Equilibrium health self-determination linear-circular causes social functioning Quality of life Strengthen max potential dual purpose individual-collective worldview base Undivided whole Far from equilibrium health co-determination linear-non-linear patterns social well being Just and civil society Distributive justice unifying purpose Working Definition IssuesWorking DefinitionRe-worked Definition

42. Change focus is entity-centered Intervention target is abstract entity empowering methods bestowed outcome dichotomous opposites theory that links method and purpose change focus is relationship-centered Intervention target is entity-centred enabling methods Co-empowered outcomes co-existive complementarity conceptually clear purpose; methods to pursue purpose Working Definition IssuesWorking DefinitionRe-worked Definition

43. person-in-environment (PIE) domain 2 practice options Client and target science derived knowledge no organizing framework “house” person-environment network (PEN) domain 4 practice options Client, target, action, c.a.system science-indigenous derived knowledge nested in a common organizing framework “house” Working Definition IssuesWorking DefinitionRe-worked Definition

44. Say It Again Sam!Lest We Forget

45. Appendix 1bCommon Conceptual Framework Operational Framework Domain of Practice • systemic person-in-environment area • unifying purpose • relationship-centred target of change Social functioning - role performance - just environment VO RO PO P Paradigm of Profession Outcomes • like-minded agreement • domain, values, • ethics, functions • practice options CS CAS AS TS • Method of Practice • systematic challenge/problem solving process • theory-specific interventions • dialogical process • minimum system phase process (3-4) PO VO RO SW functioning - competent - burn-out • Domain of Social Worker • need to address and critique biases, values, personal issues VO - Validator Otherness CS - Client System RO - Resource Otherness CAS - Change Agent System/Social Worker PO - Personal Otherness TS - Target System P - Person/Practitioner AS - Action System

46. Working Definition: Context, Essence (What it is), Function (What it does) • Context • The professional boundaries and global scope of social work and social work practice are governed primarily by sanctions and constraints of educational preparation, ethical principles, social work statutes, legislative regulations, code(s) of ethics, standards of care and local case law, or some combination of the aforementioned. • The extent to which the scope of social work can be practiced in a given society or setting is ultimately governed by societal sanctions, moral imperatives, organizational constraints and precedent requirements in statutory laws or other regulatory systems

47. Working Definition: Context, Essence (What it is), Function (What it does) • Essence • Social work is the science-profession of social well being functioning. Social work has a distinct “person-in-environment” domain of practice and defining purpose that is directed to social well being, individual and communal. • The central focus of social work is on societal relationships that advance distributive justice and well being for all. • Value-guided and evidence-based knowledge and methods of enabling others that are derived from the sciences (including social work), humanities and human experience inform the function of social work.

48. Working Definition: Context, Essence (What it is), Function (What it does) • Function • The practice of social work employs two kinds of dialogical process-guided social well-being/distributive justice activities/interventions. • One is directly with individuals and families in their contextual environments. Psychotherapy, psychosocial counseling, group work, and social support methods of social caring principally aid this kind of practice. • The other is indirectly with contextually relevant environment systems, including societal validators, institutional structures and social support resources, and their distributive justice/social well-being impact on individual and communal social well-being. Community development, social policy and social justice methods of social change principally aid this kind of practice.