Complexity Theory for Social Work Practice

This textbook provides a grounding in complexity theory, demonstrating how it can influence and shape social work interventions in policy, management, and practice, as well as forming an epistemological and methodological basis for research. It provides a contemporary theoretical basis for social work practice, equipping social workers to work in a 21st-Century world. The authors argue that the history of social work demonstrates the profession's engagement with the social and structural problems of each era since its emergence 150 years ago. However, in the 21st Century, such things as globalisation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change have highlighted that existing theories and practice models are insufficient to the task of working with the complicatedness of contemporary life in a fast-changing world. Distilling the central tenets of Complexity Theory and the notion of complex adaptive systems in partnership with pragmatism, the book provides practice perspectives and guidelines which build on social work's enduring commitment to understanding the person-in-context. The recognition that social workers require conceptual and theoretical agility to work across micro, meso and macro 'levels' remains central, but the argument is made that their focus and practice must primarily be at the meso level. The authorship of combined academic and practice expertise enables such perspectives to be brought to life through the theoretical and practical analysis of conceptual and 'real-world' challenges. The book consists of 13 chapters organized in three sections: Part I: Complex Practice in a Complex World Part II: Thinking Complexity in Practice Part III: Thinking Complexity in Public Policy, Research and Education Complexity Theory for Social Work Practice encourages social workers to 'think complexity' and 'act pragmatically'. It is intended for final-year social work students; academics and researchers working in a range of disciplines, primarily in the social work field but also in the areas of sociology, psychology and anthropology; and practitioners in policy, research, management and practice settings. Preface Acknowledgements Contents List of Figures List of Tables About the Authors and Contributor Authors Contributor Part I: Complex Practice in a Complex World Chapter 1: Introduction: Social Work in a Changing World 1.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 1.1.1 Brief History of Social Work’s Emergence and Adaptation 1.1.1.1 Origins 1.1.1.2 The Information Age and Globalisation 1.1.1.3 Twenty-First Century: COVID-19 1.1.2 Social Work 1.1.2.1 Person-in-Environment 1.1.2.2 Theories and Models 1.1.2.3 Tensions and Challenges 1.1.3 Social Work in the First Quarter of the Twenty-First Century 1.1.3.1 Complexity Theory, Complex Adaptive Systems and Pragmatism 1.1.4 Introduction to the Book References Chapter 2: The Strengths and Limitations of Social Work 2.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 2.2 Strengths of Social Work 2.2.1 Ethical Commitment 2.2.2 Value Base 2.2.3 Valuing Reflective Practice 2.2.4 Relationship Focus of Practice 2.2.5 Foundational Location Within Social, Geographic and Cultural Contexts 2.2.6 Person-in-Environment: Micro, Meso, Macro 2.2.7 ‘Borrowing’ of Theory, Models and Concepts 2.2.8 Commitment to Collaboration 2.2.9 Pragmatic Approach to Taking Action 2.2.10 Challenges for Social Work: Uncertainty, Risk and ‘Not Knowing’ 2.2.11 Wicked Problems, Risk and Uncertainty 2.3 Moving Ahead: Complexity Theory 2.4 Conclusion References Chapter 3: Becoming a Complexity Thinker: Towards an Epistemology of Social Work Practice 3.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 3.2 Starting Out 3.3 What Do We Know? 3.3.1 Complexity Theory and Complex Adaptive Systems 3.3.2 Micro, Meso, Macro 3.3.2.1 The ‘Micro’ Level 3.3.2.2 The Macro ‘Level’ 3.3.2.3 The Meso ‘Level’ 3.3.3 What Is Complexity Theory? 3.3.4 Complex Adaptive Systems 3.3.4.1 Emergence 3.4 Where CT Takes Social Work 3.4.1 How Do We Know? 3.4.2 Pragmatism 3.4.3 Organising What We Know 3.5 Conclusion References Chapter 4: Thinking Complexity and Acting Pragmatically 4.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 4.2 Constructing the Narrative 4.3 Starting Where the Client Is 4.3.1 Nested CAS 4.4 The Centrality of the Narrative 4.5 From Narrative to Strategy 4.6 Thinking Complexity in Action 4.6.1 A Guide to Thinking Complexity and Acting Pragmatically References Part II: Thinking Complexity in Practice Chapter 5: Early Doing and Thinking Complexity: The Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative 5.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 5.2 The Context of Legislating for MACNI 5.3 Development of the Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative 5.4 Program Emergence: Development and Implementation/Evolution 5.5 Operation of MACNI 5.5.1 Assessment, Formulation and Care Planning 5.6 Coordinating Complexity Thinking Across Systems: Integration and Conceptual Development 5.6.1 Emergence of a Stance of Enquiry as Care Plans Are Implemented 5.6.2 Thinking Complexity as Research 5.7 Lessons Learned Through Thinking Complexity for Five Years 5.7.1 Assessment and Care Planning 5.7.1.1 Reflecting on the Individual/Person Aspects of MACNI Assessments 5.7.1.2 Reflecting on the Complex Service System Aspects of MACNI Assessments 5.8 Care Plan Coordination 5.9 Review, Feedback and Termination 5.9.1 Review Sessions of the Panel 5.9.2 Feedback and Reflection 5.9.3 Endings: MACNI Terminations 5.10 Conclusions References Chapter 6: Thinking Complexity Across Fields of Practice: Children and Older People 6.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 6.2 Context 6.3 Thinking Complexity in Work with Individuals 6.4 Challenges of Thinking Complexity 6.4.1 Ethical Dilemmas 6.4.2 Challenging the Primacy of Self-Determination 6.4.3 Understanding the Nature of Risk 6.4.4 Casework Challenges 6.4.5 Working with Uncertainty 6.5 Conclusion References Chapter 7: Thinking Complexity in Management 7.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 7.2 Context 7.3 Management 7.4 Thinking Complexity 7.4.1 How I Started Thinking Complexity 7.4.2 How You Can Think Complexity in Management 7.5 Management in a Community Services Setting 7.5.1 Introduction 7.5.2 Example 1: Privacy Breach and Complaint 7.5.3 Example 2: Strategic Planning 7.5.4 Example 3: Pandemic 7.5.5 How Does Thinking Complexity Help Us Understand and Act? 7.6 What Do We Know About Thinking Complexity in Management? 7.7 Conclusion References Chapter 8: Thinking Complexity in Community Development 8.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 8.2 Context 8.3 Community Development 8.4 How You Can Think Complexity in Community Development 8.5 Community Development: Wollert 8.5.1 Introduction 8.5.2 The People and the Place 8.6 How Does Thinking Complexity Help Us Understand the Context and Initial Conditions? 8.6.1 Context 8.6.2 Initial Conditions 8.6.3 Expectations Versus Reality 8.7 How Does Thinking Complexity Help Us Prioritise and Take Action? 8.7.1 Getting Started 8.7.2 The Community Development Worker(s) 8.7.3 Adaptation (Impact of Time) 8.8 How Does Thinking Complexity Help Us Improve Community Outcomes? 8.9 What Do We Know About Thinking Complexity in Community Development? 8.10 Conclusion References Chapter 9: Thinking Complexity in Hospital Social Work Practice 9.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 9.2 The Australian Hospital System 9.3 Thinking Complexity in the Emergency Department 9.4 Thinking Complexity and Acting Pragmatically in the ED: Case Examples 9.5 Jessica 9.5.1 Thinking Complexity 9.5.2 Acting Pragmatically 9.6 Taylor 9.6.1 Thinking Complexity 9.6.2 Acting Pragmatically 9.7 Sam and Anh 9.7.1 Thinking Complexity 9.7.2 Acting Pragmatically 9.8 Conclusion References Part III: Thinking Complexity in Public Policy, Research and Education Chapter 10: Thinking Complexity in Public Policy 10.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 10.2 Defining Public Policy 10.2.1 Policy Narratives 10.2.2 Factors Driving Policy 10.3 Complexity Theory and Policy 10.4 Social Workers and Policy 10.5 What to Do? Thinking Complexity and Acting Pragmatically 10.5.1 COVID-19 Pandemic 10.5.2 COVID-19 and the Response of Front-Line Social Workers 10.5.3 Impacts 10.6 Conclusions References Chapter 11: Thinking Complexity in Research 11.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 11.2 Beginning the Research Journey 11.3 First Steps in Research 11.3.1 Theoretical Position 11.4 Epistemology and Ontology 11.4.1 Research Design 11.4.2 Case Comparison 11.5 Methods 11.5.1 Sampling 11.5.2 Multiple Methods 11.5.3 At the Micro Level 11.5.4 At the Meso Level 11.5.5 At the Macro Level 11.5.6 Ethics 11.5.7 Data Analysis 11.5.8 Bringing It All Together 11.6 Complexity Thinking in Social Work Research 11.6.1 Key Points for Thinking Complexity in Research References Chapter 12: Thinking Complexity in Social Work Education and Professional Practice 12.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 12.2 CT and CAS in Educational Settings 12.2.1 Pragmatism 12.3 Curriculum Development 12.3.1 Thinking Complexity 12.3.2 Acting Pragmatically 12.4 Thinking Complexity and Acting Pragmatically in Supervision 12.5 Conclusion References Chapter 13: Next Steps: What Do We Know About Thinking Complexity and Acting Pragmatically in Social Work? 13.1 Introduction and Learning Opportunities 13.2 Key Points 13.3 Common Themes 13.4 Ways Forward 13.5 Conclusion Bibliography Index