Trading zones as a social network in the field of social work with children and families
This article focuses on social networks in child and family social work. Networks were analysed from the point of view of a trading zone and theory of network management. Data was collected from social welfare case file documents of 265 children and their families. Networks were examined in the documents based on the social worker’s assessment of the needs of children and families. The results show the links between face-to-face communication and verbal and written communication. The multi-agency networks are broad and multifaceted, consisting of actors in and outside social and health organisations. In short, the results indicate the importance of knowing the network structures in social welfare and using this information at the client level and in the leadership and management of social welfare organisations.
