Assessments and interventions can be fluid and dynamic. This is because needs emerge, situations change and life is rarely static.This change can often happen in unplanned or unexpected ways, as working with people can be unpredictable. The term "organic" means alive. We use this term to describe how the work is always developing and evolving in response to where the service user is 'at', the needs that are most prevalent at any one time, and the resources that you have at your disposal. By working in an organic manner, communication can be horizontal rather than vertical reducing the layers that often act as barriers and enables a better exchange of information and ideas with all parties.

 

Social care workers are required to be flexible and have the ability to adapt and pivot to changing circumstances, often at short notice. Social care workers might adapt a planned intervention in the moment, based on how the individual presenting or what is going on for them at that time. An example of working organically might include having a key working session outside in nature if the individual was not able to engage in the setting, thereby changing the environment and opening up new possibilities. Another example of responding to this organic environment is Opportunity Led Work. Adrian Ward writes about how social care workers can develop skills in spotting the opportunities, and making the best use of them in residential care settings. It is an approach which requires attentiveness, responsiveness, creativity and support from the team.

 

You can learn more about this approach by reading some of Adrian Wards work:

• https://www.mka.no/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2017/01/Opportunity-Led-Work-Adrian_Ward.pdf

• Intuition is not enough - matching learning with practice in therapeutic childcare (edited by Adrian  Ward and Linnet Mc Mahon)

​

​

​

​

​

​