Macro social work

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Macro social work is the use of social work skills training and perspective to produce large scale social change or social justice of some kind. [1] Unlike micro or mezzo social work, which deals with individual and small group issues, macro social work aims to address societal problems at their roots; however, it has recently not received the same level of importance. [2] [3]

Contents

Professional roles and functions

Macro social workers work in a variety of public institutions, including legislative [4] (as elected officials and advocates), executive (as administrators, managers, researchers and experts) or judicial (as expert witnesses in courts) on federal, state, or local level. Macro social workers are also found in the private sector usually in executive positions in their respective organizations. Historically, social work included both micro and macro practice, but there has been a generational trend towards micro practice, which focuses on therapeutic work with people, families, and groups. [5]

Scope and importance

Macro social work is a branch of social work that focuses on large-scale social processes and systemic issues. [6] It involves interventions and strategies that target communities, organizations, and policy to promote social change, justice, and the well-being of populations.

Macro social work encompasses a broad range of activities including advocacy, community organizing, policy analysis, program development, and business administration. Practitioners in this field work to influence social policies, develop and implement social programs, and lead community initiatives. [6] They aim to address systemic issues such as poverty, discrimination, and inequality by promoting policies that lead to equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.

One of the key aspects of macro social work is its focus on social justice. Social workers in this field advocate for policies that ensure equal access to services and resources, protect human rights, and address social injustices. [1] This can involve lobbying for legislative changes, participating in public debates, and working with marginalized communities to amplify their voices.

History and the discussion about "re-envisioning" macro social work practice

The roots of macro social work can be traced back to the settlement house movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where social workers like Jane Addams and Mary Richmond sought to address the root causes of poverty and inequality through community-based interventions and policy advocacy. [6] This tradition has evolved over time to include various approaches and methodologies aimed at systemic change. [7]

The inception of macro social work practice in the United States (although it was not called by that name at the time) was with the advent of social work as an academic discipline itself. in the early 1900s, Jane Addams, the founder of the feminist movement, is generally accepted as the very first macro social worker. [8] The feminist movement was the very first macro social work project in the United States.

Recent discussions about a "re-envisioning" of macro social work practice refers to the renewed focus on enhancing the macro dimensions of social work, which include policy advocacy, community development, and organizational leadership. [1] This movement challenges the social work profession's dwindling focus on macro practice, with the goal of realigning it with its historical foundations and current needs. The transition to micro practice is due to rising demand for emergency relief services, economic and legislative changes, and the organization's focus on survival via clinical service supply. [1] McBeath recommends ten key changes for reinvigorating macro social work practice: [1]

  1. Develop external advocacy networks: Build networks with institutions influencing social welfare funding and policy.
  2. Cultivate agency–university partnerships: Create collaborations to develop and test new macro practice models.
  3. Support interprofessional exploration: Engage with other professions to share knowledge and innovate.
  4. Leverage technology for advocacy: Use technology to enhance networking, advocacy, and information sharing.
  5. Implement equity-focused frameworks: Use equity frameworks to evaluate social welfare initiatives.
  6. Strengthen linkages to micro practice: Bridge the gap between micro and macro practice to create a unified professional identity.
  7. Conduct environmental scanning: Continuously assess societal needs to adapt macro practice models.
  8. Develop theory-informed practice: Integrate social science theories into macro practice.
  9. Promote evidence-informed practice: Use diverse evidence to inform macro practice decisions.
  10. Center practice around human rights: Ensure macro practice prioritizes human rights promotion and protection.

In order to effectively address these issues besides social justice and structural change, the social work profession must integrate macro and micro practices and promote multidisciplinary cooperation. [9] With a renewed emphasis, the goal is to strike a balance between organisational, community, and social backdrop shaping work and frontline service delivery.

Methods and approaches

The methods employed by macro social workers are aimed at accomplishing their stated goals. All "methods" are not the same, however, but rather change and evolve depending on the social, political, and economic climate within a given country or organization they are employed within.

Some methods include: advocacy, passing bills or laws (if the social worker is an elected official), persuasion skills, collective action, and partnering with non social workers who have a similar goal. [10]

Macro social work employs diverse methods across four levels: community, organizational, societal, and global: [7]

  1. At the community level, it involves planning and policy development, community organizing, and development strategies such as community economic and social development, focusing on participation, empowerment, and leadership.
  2. Organizational level methods include building and managing nonprofit agencies and social enterprises, emphasizing social entrepreneurship and effective social administration, including program planning and organizational change.
  3. At the societal level, macro social workers engage in advocacy and social action, using policy advocacy and social movements to drive systemic change and promote social justice.
  4. Globally, they address issues through international social work, collaborating with NGOs to tackle poverty, human rights, and refugee crises, and supporting global advocacy efforts for sustainable development.

These methods integrate traditional and innovative approaches to empower communities, foster leadership, and achieve equitable social change.

Today, macro social work is a dynamic field that adapts to contemporary social issues. Practitioners often employ a variety of strategies to achieve their goals, including community organizing, which involves mobilizing community members to take collective action on issues affecting them. [10] Policy practice is another critical area, where social workers engage in the analysis, development, and implementation of social policies.

Future Directions in macro social work

Macro social work plays a vital role in addressing the root causes of social problems and advocating for systemic change. By focusing on large-scale interventions, macro social workers aim to create a more just and equitable society. As social issues continue to evolve, the field must adapt and innovate to effectively address the complexities of contemporary social challenges. In addressing these aspects in social work education, future curricula should also focus on managerial skills and competences. [11]

Previous discussions about the state of macro practice so far focused on different aspects that need to be overcome in the future. [9] The trajectory of macro practice in social work education is increasingly recognizing the importance of organizational and management skills. A robust macro practice curriculum should include policy analysis, community organizing, leadership, and financial management, which are often underrepresented in social work management education. [12] The lack of research investment in these areas is due to a historical focus on clinical practice. Emerging research opportunities include exploring digital transformation impacts, fostering inclusive leadership, and evaluating organizational models in social services, which could significantly advance the field.

Related Research Articles

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International political economy (IPE) is the study of how politics shapes the global economy and how the global economy shapes politics. A key focus in IPE is on the power of different actors such as nation states, international organizations and multinational corporations to shape the international economic system and the distributive consequences of international economic activity. It has been described as the study of "the political battle between the winners and losers of global economic exchange."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Community organizing</span> Process where a community works together based on a common problem

Community organizing is a process where people who live in proximity to each other or share some common problem come together into an organization that acts in their shared self-interest.

Community practice also known as mezzo social work is a branch of social work that focuses on larger social systems and social change, and is tied to the history of social work. The field of community practice social work encompasses community organizing and community organization, community building, social planning, human service management, community development, policy analysis, policy advocacy, mediation, electronic advocacy and other larger systems interventions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logic model</span> Method of depicting causal relationships

Logic models are hypothesized descriptions of the chain of causes and effects leading to an outcome of interest. While they can be in a narrative form, logic model usually take form in a graphical depiction of the "if-then" (causal) relationships between the various elements leading to the outcome. However, the logic model is more than the graphical depiction: it is also the theories, scientific evidences, assumptions and beliefs that support it and the various processes behind it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forensic social work</span> Social work as applied to the law

Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to the law and legal systems. It is a type of social work that involves the application of social work principles and practices in legal, criminal, and civil contexts. It is a specialized branch of social work that focuses on the intersection of law and mental health. Forensic social work is an important part of the criminal justice system and provides an important link between mental health and the legal system.

Mimi Abramovitz is an American author, educator and activist. Abramovitz's work focuses on civil and welfare rights of those living in the United States, especially women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Pernell</span> American social worker

Ruby Beatrice Pernell was a professor of social work who served as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Case Western Reserve University. In 1963, she was appointed social work attaché at the US Embassy in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Michigan School of Social Work</span>

The University of Michigan School of Social Work is a professional school within the University of Michigan located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Cultural humility is the “ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is other-oriented in relation to aspects of cultural identity that are most important to the [person].” Cultural humility is different from other culturally-based training ideals because it focuses on self-humility rather than being an other-directed "they/them" way of achieving a state of knowledge or awareness. It is helpful to see as others see; what they themselves have determined is their personal expression of their heritage and their “personal culture”. Cultural humility was formed in the physical healthcare field and adapted for therapists, social workers, and medical librarians, to learn more about experiences and cultural identities of others and increase the quality of their interactions with clients and community members.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Financial social work</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social work management</span>

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The International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) is a non-governmental organization whose activity is focused on undertaking research and organizing consultations for technical assistance and policy development aimed at improving social welfare, social justice and social development at the country and international levels..

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The Negro Fellowship League (NFL) Reading Room and Social Center was the first black settlement house in Chicago. It was founded by Ida B. Wells and her husband Ferdinand Barnett, and provided social services and community resources for black men arriving in Chicago from the south during the Great Migration. Resources included helping them find employment, housing, voting access, literacy and education resources, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Barusch</span> Emeritus professor of social work in New Zealand

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 McBeath, Bowen (2016). "Re-envisioning macro social work practice". Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services. 97 (1): 5–14. doi:10.1606/1044-3894.2016.97.9. ISSN   1044-3894.
  2. ↑ Ferguson, Iain (2019-06-25). "The return of macro approaches in social work". In Payne, Malcolm; Reith-Hall, Emma (eds.). The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Theory (1 ed.). Routledge. pp. 319–330. doi:10.4324/9781315211053-28. ISBN   978-1-315-21105-3 . Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  3. ↑ Mattocks, Nicole Olivia (2017-11-13). "Social Action among Social Work Practitioners: Examining the Micro–Macro Divide". Social Work. 63 (1): 7–16. doi:10.1093/sw/swx057. ISSN   0037-8046. PMID   29140503.
  4. ↑ Weiss-Gal, I. (2013-09-19). "Policy Practice in Practice: The Inputs of Social Workers in Legislative Committees". Social Work. 58 (4): 304–313. doi:10.1093/sw/swt034. ISSN   0037-8046. PMID   24450017.
  5. ↑ Austin, Michael J.; Betten, Neil (1977). "Intellectual origins of community organizing, 1920-1939". Social Service Review. 51 (1): 155–170. doi:10.1086/643478. ProQuest   1291050549.
  6. 1 2 3 Reisch, Michael (2016-07-02). "Why Macro Practice Matters". Journal of Social Work Education. 52 (3): 258–268. doi:10.1080/10437797.2016.1174652. ISSN   1043-7797.
  7. 1 2 Brüggemann, William G. (2014). The Practice of Macro Social Work (4 ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Publishing. ISBN   978-0-495-60228-6.
  8. ↑ Curti, Merle (1961). "Jane Addams on Human Nature". Journal of the History of Ideas. 22 (2): 240–253. doi:10.2307/2707835. JSTOR   2707835.
  9. 1 2 Tropman, John; McBeath, Bowen (2019-08-08). "Crafting the Future of Macro Practice". Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance. 43 (4): 357–365. doi:10.1080/23303131.2019.1680024. ISSN   2330-3131. Republished in McBeath, Bowen; Hopkins, Karen, eds. (2020-04-28). The future of human service organizational & management research: Navigating complex frontiers. Abingdon-on-Thames: Routledge. pp. 131–139. doi:10.4324/9781003041191-13. ISBN   978-0-367-48481-1.
  10. 1 2 Netting, F. Ellen; Thomas, M. Lori; Ivery, Jan (2013-06-11). "Macro Social Work Practice". Encyclopedia of Social Work. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.230. ISBN   978-0-19-997583-9 . Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  11. ↑ Kim, Sung-Ju; Jeong, Bok Gyo; Mirabella, Roseanne (2024-02-27). "Managerial aspects in macro social work education: comparative analysis between MSW macro programs and nonprofit management education". Social Work Education: 1–18. doi:10.1080/02615479.2024.2319248. ISSN   0261-5479.
  12. ↑ Arnold, Maik, ed. (2023). Handbook of Applied Teaching and Learning in Social Work Management Education: Theories, Methods, and Practices in Higher Education. Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-18038-5. ISBN   978-3-031-18037-8.

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