Systems Theory In Social Care

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Recommended: Discuss systems theory

Systems theory arose from the fact that people always are in contact with others, nobody is an island.Systems theory as stated in Teater( pg 36) aims to see a person in his or her environment, conduct a holistic assessment of the individual, family, group or community, and explore all possible areas around the service user that may require or benefit from intervention.Systems theory emerged from the works of Urie Bronfenbrenner which looks at how system form part of all human development.It emerged in 1979 in the context of children,s development as being at the center of multilayered systems which interact with each other.However, it has evolved and is used in every aspect of social work focusing on the connections between, and the resources …show more content…

It is a particularly useful theory in that it seeks to identify the fit between individuals and their environment, and then reduce or eliminate any barriers challenging the ability of individuals to have power and control over their lives. (Teater, pg 34)Systems theory can be used in adults service extensively to maximize support for people.This as stated by Maclean and Harrison,( pg 197), focuses on immediate families(carers)and the involvement of health and social care professionals to fill gaps to sustain relationships that are under stress.An important aspect of systems theory is the use of ecomaps which are visual ways of showing a person’s systems or network.Using an ecomap for Joan(see appendix1), we can identify and highlight the strengths of connections she has as strong, weak or stressful links.Joan has very little connections to her outside world or external environment, much is not known about her social life or friendships. Joan arguably had some strong links with both her husband and dad, but those links can now be viewed as stressful, perhaps due to the fact of never having dealt with their passing away. Her relationship with her son is a weak link as well as a stressful one and it is basically non-existent.

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