SYSTEMS THINKING FOR PRACTICE

As individuals we are a multiple of systems and comprise a self-sustaining system in relation to one another. Children and their parents are not isolated from one another and nor is the family isolated from the community and its resources. In turn, the community is in relation to society as a whole. This course is about providing meaning to the concept of holism in children and families assessment and in providing interventions. It explains “systems thinking” and promotes its use in assessment and intervention through a variety of presentations and exercises.

Learning Objectives:

• Basic concepts of Systems Theory

• Feedback types

• Dynamics of systems

• Complexity and systems

• How to think “systemically” when making assessments: examples from practice

• Models of Assessment and how to perceive and use them to guide systemic thinking

• The concept of “secondary gain” within systems and Losses and Gains analysis

• Changing systems and outcome goals

• Leverage or “entry points” into systems – mechanisms of intervention

• Chaos theory – perceiving how systems can “fall off the edge” in sudden and dramatic change – opportunities and threats.

 OSIRIS: Lighting the Way Forward
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