What level of social work practice focuses on individuals and families?

The level of social work practice that focuses specifically on individuals and families is known as micro practice. At this level, social workers engage directly with clients on a personal basis, helping them to address their individual needs, challenges, and circumstances. This practice involves understanding the client's situation, providing support, and facilitating access to necessary resources or services that can aid in improving their day-to-day lives.

Micro practice is essential for building relationships and fostering trust, as social workers often conduct assessments, develop intervention plans, and provide counseling or therapy aimed at enhancing personal well-being. By focusing on the individual and the family's immediate context, micro practice aims to effect change at a foundational level, which can ultimately ripple out to larger community impacts.

In contrast, mezzo practice pertains to groups and communities, while macro practice addresses larger systems such as organizations, policies, and societal structures. Meta is not a recognized level within traditional social work practice and generally refers to higher-order thinking or analysis. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific focus of micro social work and its importance in tackling individual and family-level issues.