Our experience is that many students in a social work degree can be intimidated by the word “theory”. This immediately prevents effective learning about theory. The theory in social work is about how we relate to others and how we make sure we provide effective services. It is important that the theory is not seen as the preserve of academics or senior social workers. By understanding theory and applying it to social work practice, our work with service users can become more effective and person-centered.
Many people think that theory is a purely academic thing, and has no connection with “real life”. Many social work students cover theory at university, but begin their learning experience in practice intimidated by the idea of how theory can be applied to their practice and are particularly interested in how they show the connections they made in their reflective tasks and accounts.
Action learning is about connecting the ideas learned at university to putting into practice. However, in order to relate theoretical knowledge to practice, students need to have a solid understanding of the fact that theory is something everyone uses every day in social work and that theory has a clear connection to common sense/what works/real life or whatever the choice phrase is. Without this, theory can become something that seems abstract and this develops the idea that theory is something you learn in university and then forget when you get into the “real world” of work.
Social work training requirements state that all social work programs must:
“Ensuring that the teaching of theoretical knowledge, skills and values is based on their application in practice.” (Ministry of Health 2002).
While core aspects of social work theory will be taught in a university setting, practice learning is about transferring your knowledge and applying theory to your practice, and you will need to demonstrate that you can make the connections in your written work.
What is the theory?
It is our view that social workers in the field and social work students in placement apply theory every day. However, they may not be aware of it, and they may not be able to describe or name the theory.
Theories in social work are nothing more than an attempt to explain social situations and relationships. Theories have been developed since it became clear that there are similar patterns or recurring cycles of behavior in both the life of an individual and in the lives of many different people. Since the theories are expressed by academics and sociologists, they often use academic language. Don’t let this bother you. Theories are the dress of life! Many of the theories actually contain a very clear and accessible message even if sometimes you have to look beyond the jargon.
There has been some debate about what actually constitutes a theory. In general, the theory helps explain the situation and possibly how it came to be. In science, theory is seen to help:
** Describe (eg: what’s going on?)
** Explanation (eg: why does this happen?)
** Predict (eg: what is likely to happen next?)
Sometimes theories are also seen as helping to control a situation and bring about changes.
Social Work Theory and Practical Learning
In discussing oversight, staffing tasks, portfolios etc. you should be able to describe the situation you are in, explain why you think this has happened, what you can do to bring about change etc. In doing so, you will rely on some form of theory. However, you may not always be aware of this.
As you consider theory, we urge you to:
1. Recognize that no single theory can explain everything: When a person engages in an action (or inaction) the cause of their behavior can be rooted in a combination of causes or motives.
2. Regarding the first point, I realize that some theoretical approaches don’t work for some people. Applying focused therapy for a short cut can be really effective for some people. For others, it leaves them cold.
3. Take a critical approach to theory. If it doesn’t “work”, why not? Can you adapt the aspects so that they are useful?
4. Always apply the value rule to theory – much of the theory used in social care and social work practice is drawn from outside the profession. The theory may have its roots in education, psychology, or management. As such, it may not include social work values and must take responsibility for applying them
5. And finally, never be afraid of theory. You use it every day.
Why do we need to apply social work theory to practice?
While individual social work theories have different purposes, using all types of theory in our work does some important things for us, as social workers.
** Theories can help us understand the situation. Using theory we can generate ideas about what is going on, why things seem the way they are etc. For example, the information obtained as part of an assessment can appear to be a jumble of information – application of theory can help to ‘make sense’ of the information.
**Using theory can help justify actions and explain practice to service users, carers and society in general. The aim is that this will lead to social work becoming more accountable and ultimately more respectful.
** In working with individuals, drawing on theories that may relate to their specific situation will give us more direction in our work with them.
**Using theory can give an explanation as to why an action causes a particular outcome. This can help us review and possibly change our practices in an effort to make the consequences more effective.
It is clear, then, that theory is important in practice – whether for working with service users or for social work to be more valuable in society.