Thinking Complexity Across Fields of Practice: Children and Older People

In this chapter, some of the key challenges confronting social workers doing casework are raised and explored. These relate to ethical dilemmas, self-determination, risk and uncertainty. These are illustrated through examples from the fields of practice with children and older people. At both the beginning and the end of the lifespan, children and older people may encounter conditions that contribute to them experiencing greater marginalisation compared to the wider population. Although their access to social work intervention may be prescribed by the criterion of chronological age, the reasons behind such access are likely to be varied, and clients’ presenting problems are likely to encompass a wide range of domains. Using illustrative case examples, we will tease out some of the common tensions and dilemmas that highlight how complexity theory and a pragmatic approach can inform practice.