Privatisation of Social Welfare Services and Social Work Practice: An Overview of the Issues

Abstract

‘Privatisation’ is a term that is widely discussed but not well understood. This paper reviews two major relevant trends in privatisation. Privatisation of social welfare services is conceptualised in terms of both financing and delivery of services. Privatisation of social work practice includes a range of social work practice including the development of social work in private practice. The implications of these developments are discussed.