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Need as an operating concept: the case of social work with children and families
Author(s) -
Mary N. Sheppard,
Woodcock
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
child and family social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-2206
pISSN - 1356-7500
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2206.1999.00104.x
Subject(s) - conceptualization , superordinate goals , work (physics) , social work , sociology , epistemology , management science , service (business) , computer science , psychology , social psychology , business , political science , artificial intelligence , engineering , marketing , mechanical engineering , philosophy , law
Need is widely regarded as central to social work practice, yet is equally regarded as far from unproblematic as a concept. Considerable debate has occurred at two levels: the policy/service delivery level and an abstract conceptual level which considers the nature of need. It is suggested here, however, that between these two levels lies an ‘operating concept’. This focuses on the problem of defining and identifying need in the immediate circumstances of practice. At this level, two concepts of need are put forward: a ‘deficit concept’ and a ‘differentiated concept’. It is argued that the latter provides a more coherent conceptualization of need. In this concept, need is the superordinate concept which contains within it three subconcepts: problems, supports and resources, which are connected. These are analysed, and their potential as a basis for developing a system of need classification which may be used in practice is explored.