Contexts and Practice

Abstract

Practice does not occur within a vacuum, isolated from the rest of the world. It occurs within the relationship that develops between the practitioner and the client. It also occurs in light of the multiple relationships that the practitioner and client have with the rest of the world. The practice process involves the practitioner, the client, the client’s family, government agencies, community services, the community, and so on. It is this web of relationships that creates or adds to the complexity of the practice process.

Key Themes: The complexity ofpractice; characteristics ofcontexts; models for context.

Reflections: I struggle with having to keep in mind all the players and their contexts. It is so much easier to focus on the child, and maybe the family. But to keep in mind the child, the family, their different contexts, such as school, work, and community, all the different workers and their systems ... well, sometimes it is just overwhelming.