3 Social work with communities

Figure 10

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This is a photograph of a birds’ eye view of a group of houses.

Figure 10

Teater (2014) points out that understanding the concept of community is an important component when applying systems theory and an ecological perspective to social work practice. Using these approaches, social workers can explore ways in which communities help or hinder individual growth and development, and impact on wellbeing.

The term ‘community’ can refer to a group of people who share common interests or identity, or it may be used to describe people located within a particular geographical boundary.