Life in a time of neoliberalism: social work in England

The authors consider the impact of neoliberal economic theory on social work care services in England and highlight the resulting challenges for the profession. In this context the paper seeks to highlight the impact of austerity policies, changes to the role of the state, increasing social inequality and disciplinary action, along with the development of marketised care services on the role and the resulting challenges for social work. They seek to critically consider the implications of neoliberal economic and political policy by concentrating, in particular, on how global capital allocation, the discourse of efficiency and effectiveness along with managerialism for social work practice and supervision.Los autores examinan la implementación y el impacto en los trabajadores sociales de Inglaterra de la teoría económica neoliberal, poniendo de manifiesto los retos derivados de la profesión. En este contexto, se pretende resaltar el impacto de las políticas de austeridad, los cambios en el papel del estado, el aumento de la desigualdad social y las medidas disciplinarias, junto con el desarrollo de servicios mercantilizados y los desafíos que derivan para el trabajo social. Los autores intentan tomar en consideración críticamente las implicaciones de las políticas económicas y políticas neoliberales concentrándose, en particular, en cómo las aplicaciones del capital global, el discurso de la eficiencia y la efectividad, junto con la corriente gerencial influyen en la práctica del trabajo social y la supervisión.Gli autori considerano l'impatto della teoria economica neoliberale sui servizi sociali in Inghilterra e mettono in evidenza le sfide che ne deri-vano per la professione di assistente sociale. In questo contesto propon-gono di evidenziare l'impatto delle politiche di austerità, le modifiche apportate al ruolo dello stato, l'aumento delle disuguaglianze sociali e le azioni disciplinari di controllo sociale, insieme allo sviluppo dei servizi sociali di mercato e al relativo impatto sul ruolo e sulle sfide che ne de-rivano per il servizio sociale. Gli autori considerano criticamente le im-plicazioni di politica economica e di politica neoliberista concentrando-si, in particolare, sulla distribuzione del capitale internazionale e sul tema dell'efficienza e dell'efficacia in rapporto al managerialismo ap-plicato alla pratica e alla supervisione del servizio sociale

Successful project management in social work and social care: managing resources, assessing risks and measuring outcomes.

Managers in social work and social care contexts are required to manage a wide range of projects: long-term and short-term, on large and small scales, in partnership with other agencies, and covering a broad range of issues and contexts. Management of these projects requires specific expertise, and this book sets out what these core skills are and how they can be achieved. Topics such as managing resources, assessing risks and measuring outcomes are covered, as well as how to start and end a project. The authors acknowledge the values and ethics inherent to care environments, as well as the business skills necessary for good management. Detailed case studies demonstrate the ideas in action, and reflective activities, practical tools and action checklists are included throughout. This practical handbook provides a clear and comprehensive guide to how to be an excellent project manager, and is a must-read for all social work and social care managers, and post-qualifying social work and social care students

The global social work definition: ontology, implications and challenges.

The revised global definition for social work promotes the profession's commitment to social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of people. By reviewing the implications of this definitional shift and locating this within existing influential social work ontological models, the implications for social work within global and national contexts are critically reviewed. The study found that the changes to the global definition, along with recognition of the importance of strengthening knowledge and theory, encourage critical review of the implications of a shift from an emphasis on individual approaches to the importance of collective and macro perspectives in social work intervention. The location and exploration of these debates using existing key ontological frameworks and socio-economic contexts encourages critical reflection on the purpose, role and function of social work in society. Social work must critically review what it means by, along with the implications of, the profession's commitments. The profession needs to consider how theory, its academic discipline and social work interventions support these commitments. The critical examination of ontological frameworks, indigenous knowledge and social work interventions is vital to inform social work education and practice to enable a reinvigorated profession able to address the contemporary challenges of both society and individuals

‘Social worker’ perceptions of organisational and professional changes to their work in Canada, England and South Africa

Growing global inequality, austerity and retrogressive social policy (Basu et al., 2017) provide the context for social work practice. The profession is committed to empowering people and addressing social justice, inequality and social cohesion but is struggling to achieve its mandate under pressure from shifting social policy; everchanging organisational structures and austerity. This study explored this impact through guided conversations with 18 social workers in both rural and urban areas in Canada, England and South Africa. Using a three-legged case study design, participants discussed and explored their perceptions of organisational and professional change, impact on their work, how management practice modified decision making and focus, professional risk and trust, and how these were accommodated. The presentation of social work voices explored their experiences under three broad themes. These were: professional identity and development, social work practice and work with service users and other professionals. The discussion theorises these voiced experiences through the review of contemporary literature. The results highlighted that preventative services have all but disappeared with participants feeling compromised ethically, emotionally and professionally by mediating service demands, organizational delivery, service user needs and their own professional judgements. Changing professional structures, new public management, managerialism, and marketisation have introduced new pressures and requirements to practice, affecting their relationships with colleagues, service users and their managers. Surprisingly, no comprehensive research has been undertaken on the impact of these changes for social work. The repercussions of these changes have been experienced at macro, mezzo and micro levels, with rising demand for services but reduced resources to help those in distress. Participants highlighted the main challenges of undertaking work within this context, the personal challenges and impact, and how they attempt to manage these competing pressures. As a profession, social work must seek, understand and theorise the impact of these changes to their practice context and how it might exacerbate de-professionalisation within the profession, undermine its contribution to relieving social distress, challenge public support and demoralise the existing and future workforce. The study concludes that the profession must therefore critically consider these impacts, or it may become the victim of these changes

South African child and family welfare services:Changing times or business as usual?

CITATION: Strydom, M., et al. 2017. South African child and family welfare services : changing times or business as usual?. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 53(2):145-164, doi:10.15270/53-2-563.The original publication is available at http://socialwork.journals.ac.zaSouth African welfare policy is influenced by global economic trends and has some indicators of neoliberal policy implementation. This paper discusses the indicators of neoliberalism before exploring the implications for child and family welfare services in post-apartheid South Africa, in relation to three key themes: the financing of welfare, structures and organisations, and the managing of clients. It is argued that the influence of neoliberalism has changed the way that child and welfare services are managed and services delivered, and that these influences should be debated within the profession and with civil society.http://socialwork.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/563Publisher's versio

Returning the 'social' to social work:Recommitting to social development in an age of neoliberalism

In the context of globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation there is a tendency to marketise and monetise essential services. Erstwhile fundamental services that were considered to be life saving are being marketed and sold. Education soon followed the same trend; unsurprisingly the profession of social work also is being subjected to the treatment of the markets in an uncharacteristic manner. Social work and social welfare are being regarded as marketable services. This has lead to an exclusivist approach which is fundamentally different from the tenets of the profession. This paper explores the way social work is transforming under economic liberalisation as a response to this trend

The evolution of student identity: A case of caveat emptor

Engaging students has been seen as the key to promoting their achievement in higher education institutions. However, there is an important stage prior to this: the development of a positive student identity which influences students’ motivation to engage. As the student body has evolved from full-time, on-campus students entering university straight from school to embrace adult, part-time and online learners who are also in employment, the transition to a student identity has become less transparent. To encourage part-time students undertaking an undergraduate degree in Social and Health Care Management to engage with each other, the course team piloted peer assessment within the programme for a year. This paper informs the debate by providing insight into the students’ approach to learning and attainment. It is argued that the culture of compliance and the technocratic approach to task completion increasingly required within the social care and learning sector is antithetical to deep learning. For students to make the transition they need to commit to a student identity in which participation in reflection and critical debate are valued. The challenge is for universities to enable this by addressing the barriers and stimulating a positive identity for non-traditional students

Returning the 'social' to social work: recommitting to social development in an age of neoliberalism.

In the context of globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation there is a tendency to marketise and monetise essential services. Erstwhile fundamental services that were considered to be life saving are being marketed and sold. Education soon followed the same trend; unsurprisingly the profession of social work also is being subjected to the treatment of the markets in an uncharacteristic manner. Social work and social welfare are being regarded as marketable services. This has lead to an exclusivist approach which is fundamentally different from the tenets of the profession. This paper explores the way social work is transforming under economic liberalisation as a response to this trend

Illiteracy among caregivers: implications for children’s educational and social development

The ability of primary caregivers to provide a healthy, nurturing and stimulating environment for their children is essential for children’s educational advancement and emotional development. However, caregivers who live in the rural areas in South Africa face many challenges, ranging from acute poverty and limited education and skills to feelings of social inadequacy and marginalisation. These factors directly and indirectly affect their ability to care for children and thus these children’s educational progress and future economic and social prospects. This article describes the experiences of illiterate caregivers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, in attempting (or otherwise) to assist the children in their care with their schoolwork. An exploratory study was conducted in the village of Ku Jonga in the Eastern Cape’s rural Coffee Bay, which used focus groups comprising caregivers and teachers. Among the findings was that many children’s lack of educational advancement in the school system has complex origins, but that the illiteracy of their primary caregivers (which results in their inability to help with schoolwork or to provide the motivation or environment for learning) is a leading cause. A key conclusion was that caregivers, teachers and external stakeholders (for example the government and civil organisations) need to work together to arrive at a common understanding of the specific problems and priorities of rural communities, particularly with regard to education, and to introduce practical initiatives to help these communities become more motivated, productive and self-sustaining.DHE

Cooperação internacional em Serviço Social: uma revisão de literatura

Inseridas em uma experiência de cooperação internacional, nos propomos, neste artigo, a partir de revisão de literatura, refletir sobre o tema cooperação internacional no Serviço Social. Para isso, realizamos levantamento utilizando dois descritores: cooperação internacional em pesquisa e Serviço Social e cooperação internacional em pesquisa em Serviço Social (em inglês e português) nas bases de dados Scopus, Periódicos Capes e Google Acadêmico. Foram selecionados 16 artigos sem repetição. Exploramos as variáveis país de procedência, periódico utilizado e foco dos textos. Além disso, verificamos os relatórios de avaliação trienal (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013) e quadrienal da Capes (2017 e 2021). Os textos selecionados são majoritariamente em língua inglesa e com autores procedentes dos países centrais (Estados Unidos, Alemanha e Reino Unido – 39%). O Brasil respondeu por 10%. O artigo enfatizou a internacionalização como um processo que faz parte do Serviço Social. Entretanto, as relações assimétricas entre os países centrais e periféricos repercute sobre o fluxo desse processo, que engloba desde a delimitação do foco das pesquisas até as relações no interior das equipes, sendo mister adensarmos o debate no Brasil