The Experiences of Human Service Managers in Contexts of Change and Uncertainty

ABSTRACT

Against a background of rapid and widespread changes to the delivery of human services and social welfare, this paper reports on a study into the experiences of managers of human services organisations. Within an interpretive methodology, the research utilised focus group and interview methods to examine the relevance and need for business, finance, and management skills from the perspective of managers in the human services. Results indicate that managers of human service organisations need advanced business, management, and finance skills to deal with change and uncertainty in contemporary and competitive service environments.

IMPLICATIONS

• Human service organisations in Australia are subject to change and uncertainty with new models of funding and increased accountability.

• Social workers employed as managers are under pressure to lead sustainable and accountable services, while still holding to social work principles.

• Social workers who manage organisations face a challenge of how to integrate business, management, and finance skills with the values and mission of social work.

人力服务和社会福利的发放发生着迅速而广泛的变化。本文研究了人力服务组织管理者的经历。本研究采用了焦点小组和访谈等手段以及阐释的方法，从人力服务行业管理者的视角，探讨这变化对商业、金融以及管理技巧的意义和需求。研究显示，人力服务组织的管理者需要先进的商业、管理及金融技巧以应对当代竞争服务业环境的变化和不确定性。

KEYWORDS:

• Social Work
• Human Service Organisations
• Management
• Neoliberalism

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.