Twenty-first century social work: the influence of political context on public service provision in social work education and service delivery

Abstract

This article explores the thesis that there is a discernable ‘direction for social work’ in Britain, and considers the ways in which its development is influenced by state policies influenced by New Managerialist, ‘market’ based and neoliberal ideologies. It concludes that there have been substantial changes across services for children, for adults and in social work education over the last decade that reflect the ethos of central government policy, rather than the ethos and values of social work. Awareness of the role of government policy in shaping the identity of the profession, and responsiveness to that agenda, is critical to maintaining social work's integrity.

Keywords:

• Social Work
• Neoliberalism
• Managerialism
• Political Context

Notes

1. NPM favours principles of efficiency, economy and choice to inform decisions about which services to provide based on cost, value for money, consumer choice and taxpayer preference.

2. Neo-liberalism views the ‘marketplace’ as creating the conditions in which services representing best value can be selected, and without distorting the wider market for goods and services.

3. By 2018:

• carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have access to the integrated and personalised services they need to support them in their caring role;

• carers will be able to have a life of their own alongside their caring role;

• carers will be supported so that they are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role;• carers will be supported to stay mentally and physically well and treated with dignity;

• children and young people will be protected from inappropriate caring and have the support they need to learn, develop and thrive, to enjoy positive childhoods and to achieve against all the Every Child Matters outcomes.

4. Laming was also responsible for the 2003 Inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié, which initiated the ongoing Every Child Matters policy stream (see Laming, 2003; Every Child Matters, 2009).

5. House of Commons of the UK Parliament.

6. ‘Social work helps adults and children to be safe so they can cope and take control of their lives again. Social workers make life better for people in crisis who are struggling to cope, feel alone and cannot sort out their problems unaided.’