The help system and its reflection theory: a sociological observation of social work Werner Schirmer* and Dimitris Michailakis TEFSA Platform for Theory-Driven Research, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, University of Linköping, Norrköping, Sweden The relation between sociology and social work is analysed in this article as a rela- tion between observer and object of observation. As a theoretical framework, we use Luhmannian systems theory, according to which modern society is characterised by functional differentiation, that is a horizontal structure of function systems such as polity, economy, education, science, law, etc. Each of these fulfils a particular function for society. One such system is the help system, referring to social services and their practice. Its societal function is the management of inclusion/exclusion and social integration. Function systems contain what Luhmann calls ‘reflection theo- ries’, which are associated with specific academic disciplines (such as the political system/political theory/political science or the education system/pedagogical theory/ educational science). Although their basic operations are linked to science (research, theories and methods, publications), reflection theories are part of their system; their function is to reflect on the unity and meaning of the function system. This article argues that the discipline of social work serves as the reflection theory for the help system. A solid reflection theory in the help system is important in order to define guiding criteria for professional ethics to be used in social services. The lack of an adequate reflection theory can lead to the intrusion of ideologies that are inappropri- ate to the logic of the help system, such as New Public Management or administra- tive technocracy, which might threaten the integrity of the help system. Keywords: help system; Luhmann; reflection theory; social work; social work science Introduction In this article, we discuss the relation between sociology and social work as a relation of subject and object, or observer and observed. In particular, we make use of Niklas Luhmann’ s theory of social systems (Luhmann 2012, 2013) as a framework to observe the discipline of social work. From this perspective, we present a description of social work which may seem unfamiliar and will most likely differ from typical state-of-the-art descriptions provided by the discipline itself. Having said that, we claim that it offers insights that are nevertheless highly relevant to social work. According to Luhmann’ s theory, the primary structure of modern society is func- tional differentiation, that is a horizontal differentiation form of function systems such as the polity, economy, religion, science, etc. each fulfilling a particular function for society. Another such system is the help system. This system refers to social work practice and largely coincides with the social services. Its societal function is the management of inclusion/exclusion. *Corresponding author. Email: werner.schirmer@liu.se © 2015 Taylor & Francis Nordic Social Work Research, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2156857X.2015.1012106 Downloaded by [Werner Schirmer] at 10:23 25 February 2015