Social work with children and families: Towards a radical/critical practice

Abstract

Social work continues to be experiencing changes in its organisation and day-to-day practices. Notions of assessment, monitoring, evaluation and inter-agency coordination are to the fore rather than social work practice itself. In addition, we have seen the rise and now domination of managerialism. All this coincides with ideological changes over the last 35 years leading to the gradual demise of the welfare state. From a radical/critical perspective these are dispiriting developments and scope for radical/critical social work practice, though always limited, has been further reduced. Despite this, I argue that the possibilities for a radical/critical practice still remain.

Keywords:

• radical/critical social work
• children and families
• managerialism

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Steve Rogowski

Dr Steve Rogowski is a social worker (children and families) with 32 years experience and has published work relating to children and young people in social work and youth work journals.