A critical evaluation of the extent to which the reform and modernisation agenda has impacted on the professionalisation of social work in England

Diaz, Clive ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5681-9056 and Hill, Lauren 2019. A critical evaluation of the extent to which the reform and modernisation agenda has impacted on the professionalisation of social work in England. Child Care in Practice 26 , pp. 272-284. 10.1080/13575279.2018.1555138

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Abstract

The last twenty-five years have seen an erosion of the public sector with whole industries being sold off and made into private companies. Even those roles that have remained in the public sector have undergone enormous change, with the importation of ideas and practices formally associated with businesses. Reforms have led to cost-cutting and an increase in managerialism. This paper sets out what is meant by a profession and then explores whether the reform and modernisation agenda has enhanced the profession of social work or whether it has been to the detriment. It is asserted that social workers have seen a reduction in their ability to act independently and that professional knowledge has therefore been eroded. The tensions between these changes and social work values are discussed. The author posits that the reforms have not contributed to service user's life opportunities. It is concluded that that, alongside the manageralism agenda, social work's poor media profile and the fact that many social workers do not want to be considered professionals has contributed to the continued lack of professional standing. Initiatives that may help with improving the profile of the social work profession and outcomes for service users are discussed—although it is noted that the current government's commitment to these aims appears limited.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE)
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
ISSN:	1357-5279
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	18 August 2020
Date of Acceptance:	10 December 2017
Last Modified:	25 Nov 2024 20:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/134227

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