Social Work Theory Analysis

Social Work was defined as the facilitation for “social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of people,” by International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and International Association of School of Social Work (IASSW) in 2014. Furthermore, social work centralises its principles around social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities (ISFW; IASSW 2014).

In addition to these foundational definitions there are a number of theories surrounding the practice of social work and these include establishment and critical social work theory. The conventional approach to social work that the establishment theory adheres to sees a focus on working with clients at a micro level,

These paradigms illustrate the idea that social change and regulation can be achieved on a micro level through establishment theory practices wherein social workers work directly with clients to solve their individual problems in relation to their circumstances within society. The other two paradigms focus more specifically on a macro level of social work and have been identified as revolutionaries, who work at the societal level for social change, and fixers, who work at the societal level for social regulation, (Barnes and Hugman, 2002). While these two opposing paradigms focus on implementing social work practice that attempts to question and dismantle oppressive societal structures in order to create better social change and regulation. This combination of four paradigms raises the common question of which approach to social work practice is better, however, despite the differences between establishment and critical social work theory using them in tandem can allow for overall more effective