Social work focuses on helping individuals, groups and communities to improve their well-being. It is a complex and multi-faceted profession that involves a variety of approaches to understanding and improving the lives of those in need.
Within this profession, there are three primary levels of practice: micro, mezzo and macro. Each level of practice addresses different needs, goals and populations, and social workers must understand these differences to serve their clients effectively.
Understanding micro social work
The micro level of social work is focused on the individual and involves providing direct services to clients. It is about building relationships with those we are trying to help, understanding their challenges and working collaboratively to find solutions that will improve their quality of life.
Micro social work often includes counseling, case management and advocacy. This is the most direct level of service provision and allows social workers to impact the lives of those they serve directly.
At the micro level, social workers strive to provide support, resources and guidance to help individuals reach their goals and gain a sense of autonomy. Social workers must focus on creating positive change at the individual level, as this can lead to larger-scale social change at the macro level.
Jobs in micro social work
• Addiction and recovery career
The number of people abusing substances has reached epidemic proportions. Micro social workers work alongside counselors who want to help addicted individuals find their way out of destructive patterns.
• Child and adolescent psychology careers
Many children who engage in delinquent behaviors struggle with underlying emotional disturbances. Micro social workers can help these youths through therapy, counseling and coaching. These professionals are often called upon to provide services to families of children who have been abused or neglected.
• Behavioral psychology careers
Behavioral micro social workers assess and treat people who have suffered trauma, such as domestic violence. Micro social workers who work with children or adolescents focus on treating emotional disturbances, behavior disorders and learning problems.
• Mezzo level of social work
The mezzo level of social work is the middle ground between the micro and macro levels. Mezzo social workers focus on helping individuals and families within a larger community or organization.
They often look at the bigger picture but also understand the small details of working with smaller groups of people. Mezzo social workers use their micro and macro-level understanding to provide adequate services.
For example, a mezzo social worker might help a family get food assistance while advocating for larger-scale change within the community. This level of work is beneficial as it allows social workers to help those in need and influence social policy.
Mezzo social workers are also responsible for implementing various community interventions and programs. These interventions can range from offering job training and financial support to providing mental health services.
By understanding the needs of individuals and the larger systems they exist in, mezzo-level social workers can provide the necessary support and resources to impact the lives of those they serve.
Jobs in mezzo social work
Organizations and agencies that employ professionals in the “mid-field” of social work are often called “mezzo” agencies instead of frontline or back-end.
Many organizations or agencies use a combination of mezzo and frontline workers. The different types of mezzo workers include:
• Community educators/prevention specialists who educate community members to help them develop skills to prevent social problems from arising
• Outreach workers who work to enhance the quality of life for the affected people and help them cope with the stress and problems caused by social issues
• Managers responsible for supervising their co-workers and organizing welfare services, communication and administration
Macro level social work
At the macro level of social work, practitioners focus on tackling the significant issues that can lead to widespread change in communities. These professionals work to develop policies and systems that aim to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Macro-level social work includes legislative advocacy, community organizing, program development and evaluation, policy analysis and research. By advocating for more equitable policies and more accessible and practical services, macro-level social workers have the potential to affect significant positive changes in society.
For example, they may be involved in campaigns to increase access to mental health services or develop initiatives that help create healthier neighborhoods. Through this type of work, social workers can help bring about greater justice, equity and inclusion in society at large.
Jobs in macro social work
If you’ve ever dreamed about working for a nonprofit or public service organization emphasizing macro social work, there are plenty of careers to consider. Here are some of the best jobs in macro social work.
• Higher education careers
Having a degree in social work is one of the best ways to enter the nonprofit community and advance your career. Most colleges and universities have a robust social work program that graduates some of the top social workers in the field.
For example, with an online MSW program from Spalding University, social workers can teach in a university setting and help guide students toward improving the world. The program offers built-in electives like Foundations for Macro Practice, Community Collaboration and Education, and Global Social Work Practice.
• Public policy careers
People interested in a career in macro social work may want to consider an internship or volunteer position with an organization that works to improve the world.
• Educational leadership careers
Education leadership careers involve working with students to guide them through post-secondary education. People interested in this field can earn a degree in educational leadership and work for an administration or guidance counselor at a school.
Final thoughts
When it comes to social work practice, understanding the differences between these three levels is vital for any social worker. Each group of practice provides unique advantages that can help meet the needs of individuals and families.
No matter which level of practice a social worker chooses to focus on, they are all equally important to create positive change in our communities. By understanding the differences between micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice, social workers can determine which approach best suits the needs of those they work with.