Looking beyond individual development and considering wider influencing factors in the context of development, is a key component for social workers at Asoka Health to explore. I like to view child development as complex systems of relationships affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment. Focusing on the immediate environment of family, school and healthcare relationships, to life transitions such as starting a new school, parents’ divorce or moving house, all play a major role in a child’s development.
If there is a breakdown in one system, it can often trigger breakdowns in other systems. An example of this can be the Brisbane floods of 2022, creating household financial stress, resulting in children being removed from social activities, creating fear and anxiety on our little ones. If you picture a deck of cards that have been sprawled over a table, some upside down, not in place, social workers can create a collaborative care plan to best suit the goals and ambitions of the individual and families to get the cards aligned again.
Written by Nikolas Fitzgerald
Social Worker
Image source: http://psychologydos.weebly.com/psych-journal/journal-8-urie-bronfenbrenners-ecological-systems-theory