Modernising social work: Critical considerations - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847420052 ISBN 13: 9781847420053

Publisher: Policy Press, 2009

Synopsis

New Labour's modernisation agenda has produced an avalanche of change that has posed formidable challenges for everyone involved in social work, whether as service users, practitioners or managers. "Modernising Social Work" provides a radical appraisal of the far-reaching changes in their theoretical, historical and policy contexts. The book is organised into three sections that consider: the inter-relationship of modernisation and managerialism, modernisation's impact on service users and the ways in which social workers and front-line managers seek to exercise professional discretion for the benefit of service users within a workplace culture of intensified scrutiny and control.There is an analysis of a range of key developments in all three areas that reveals the modernisation agenda as complex and contested. The book's three sections cover the main issues of the modernisation agenda, making it ideal for teaching. Locating the issues in their theoretical, historical and policy contexts meets the needs of student readers and experienced social workers will appreciate the emphasis on empirical research as well as practice experience.

About this title

Review:

"John Harris and Vicky White's edited collection is a valuable addition to
the growing critical literature on New Labour and social work. Drawing on
original research which builds on Harris' earlier groundbreaking analysis
of the 'social work business', its contributors challenge the myth of
modernisation as an ideology-free zone and provide valuable ammunition for
those seeking to develop alternatives to managerial and market-driven
approaches". --Iain Ferguson, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Stirling

About the Author:

John Harris is a Professor in the School of Health and Social Studies at the University of Warwick. He previously worked for many years as a social worker and a manager in social services. His teaching and research interests include managerialism, citizenship and the history of social work and he has published widely.Vicky White is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Social Studies at the University of Warwick. She was previously a social worker in field and residential settings in the statutory sector and has explored developments in practice in a number of publications.

About this edition

• Publisher: Policy Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1847420052
• ISBN 13: 9781847420053
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 216
• Editor: Harris John