Social work: The Interrelationship of the three levels of practice



Social work: The Interrelationship of the three levels of practice

Introduction

Social work is normally split into three broad practice groups; the micro, mezzo (midlevel) and macro levels. The Micro level is perhaps the widely known and common practice; it takes place directly with the individual client or his family. The Mezzo level takes place on an in-between scale; it includes social work on institutions, neighborhoods and other smaller groups. The Macro level includes involvement on a large scale that will affect whole communities as well as systems of care. These different levels of social work practice occasionally overlap and influence each other; as a consequence it is vital to understand the difference between these levels and approach (B. Childs, 2012).

Discussion

Micro Social Work

The micro level of social work is the most common type; it is how the majority of people imagine social workers. At the micro level, the social worker interacts with individuals or families to resolve issues. It includes helping clients find appropriate social services, health care and housing. Family therapies, individual counseling, medical care of individuals or family, the treatment of individuals suffering from mental health issues and drug abuse problems fall under this level. Micro-level practice might encompass military social work, the military service members are helped by social workers to cope up with challenges associated with military life, and access benefits permitted to them as a result of their service. Numerous social workers are engaged in micro as well as mezzo practices at the same time, even the most impressive macro-level involvement can be a consequence of interaction between a social worker and a single client.

Mezzo Social Work

Mezzo level practices deal with midlevel activities (small to medium sized groups), such as schools, neighborhoods or similar local organizations. This level of social work encompasses the organization of community, social work organization management or focusing on cultural or institutional change rather than one individual client. Social workers who are engaged in mezzo level practice are usually additionally involved in macro and/or micro social work. This makes sure that the requirements and challenges of clients are attended to and understood in context with bigger social issues.

Macro Social Work

This level of social work assists clients with involvement in large systems. Campaigning to modify a health care regulation, organization of state-wide activist groups or advocation of large-scale change in the social policy is a few examples. Macro level social work is one of the significant differences between other helping occupations (like psychiatric therapy) and social work. Macro level practice normally addresses concerns arising in micro or mezzo level of social work, along with social work research. Macro social work gives power to by involving the clients in systemic change.

Change faced by a social worker

A social worker involved in micro level practice of social work may face macro or mezzo level changes, the generalist perspective (Schatz et al, 1990) requires the social worker to be able to carry out their work at all levels - ...