Complexities of discretion in social services in the third sector

Abstract

Policy analysts have devoted considerable time to examining the problem of the policy implementation gap, with one important strand in the literature following Michael Lipsky's work on street-level bureaucracy and discretion. In this paper, we aim to contribute to the literature concerning shifts in government/third sector organisation contractual arrangements and whether they constitute a significant (post-neoliberal) development in policy implementation. Using a case study of contracted government services in Australia, we revisit the conception of discretion to reflect on the impact of these changes and document their implications for the use of discretion in management and front-line worker practices.

Keywords:

• street-level bureaucracy
• discretion
• contractualism
• social services

Notes on contributors

Ed Carson is the Professor of Social Policy in the School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy at the University of South Australia, Adelaide.

Donna Chung is the Professor of Social Work, School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University.

Tony Evans is the Professor of Social Work in the University of London and Head of the Department of Social Work, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK.