Resources reduction and welfare changes: tensions between social workers and organisations. The Italian case in child protection services

Abstract

Within the field of studies on professionalism, this paper explores the changes in roles of social workers and the new tensions emerging in the relationship with their organisational contexts, due to the reduction of resources and the introduction of neoliberal and managerial policies in the welfare system. The paper is based on qualitative research carried out through 32 in-depth interviews with frontline social workers engaged in child and family services in Italy. The paper investigates how spending cuts have affected the relationship with the organisation arguing that the ways the cuts are implemented, as well as the room for professional recognition set by the organisation, are relevant. A four-character social worker typology is outlined, drawn from the intersection of two meaningful dimensions: sense of belonging and critical thinking. It is argued that a ‘critically engaged’ type points to a new form of professionalism that may emerge from the current crisis of the relationship between the organisation and social workers.

L’articolo si colloca nell’ambito degli studi sul professionalismo ed esplora i cambiamenti nel ruolo degli assistenti sociali in Italia, alla luce dell’emergere di tensioni nel rapporto con l’organizzazione date dalla contrazione delle risorse e all’introduzione di assetti organizzativi di tipo manageriale e neoliberista. È basato su una ricerca qualitativa svolta attraverso 32 interviste con assistenti sociali impegnati nei servizi per i minori e le famiglie in Italia. Indaga come la contrazione delle risorse e i tagli alla spesa sociale abbiano influenzato il ruolo e l’identità professionale ed analizza come gli assistenti sociali maneggino e qualifichino i dilemmi emergenti nel rapporto con l’organizzazione. Dall’analisi emergono due dimensioni significative—il senso di appartenenza all’organizzazione e la riflessione critica—la cui intersezione dà luogo ad una tipologia di quattro caratteri. Da questa emerge una figura di professionista, criticamente ingaggiato, che viene proposta come suggerimento di una possibile nuova forma di professionalismo.

Keywords:

• social work identity
• professionalism
• discretion
• managerialism
• child protection
• welfare crisis

Parole chiave:

• identità del servizio sociale
• professionalismo
• discrezionalità
• managerialismo
• crisi del welfare
• tutela dei minori

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Teresa Bertotti, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Milano Bicocca, Italy. She is very experienced in direct work with families, managing of child protection services and innovative projects. She was actively involved in professional training and developed research studies on social work practice and social services organisations, in the field of children and family support. She is now a member of the national board of the Italian Association of Social Work Teachers (AIDOSS). Her research interests include social workers' competences and professional's relations with organisations.