What Is the Mezzo Level of Social Work?
The mezzo level of social work refers to the mezzo, or mid-level, practice, which primarily focuses on formal groups and complex organizations. The mezzo level mostly involves working with small groups and organizations, with common examples including self-help groups, clubs, associations, prisons, schools, hospitals and businesses.
When working at the mezzo level, the goal is to focus on changing a whole group or organization rather than individual members within those groups or organizations. Throughout this process, the social worker can act as a facilitator by helping groups or organizations to function. Examples of what this process may entail include creating or strengthening bonds among members and facilitating group decision-making. Many mezzo social workers have experience with macro-level work, which is intervening on a broad scale that can impact communities, and micro level, the most common type of practice that involves working directly with a family or individual.
