{"title":"Social workers’ collective policy practice in times of austerity:","authors":"Riccardo Guidi","doi":"10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0007","url":null,"abstract":"Although political responsibility lays at the core of social professions, until recently it has only been weakly exerted. Effectively acting for social justice in a context shaped by neomanagerialism, economic crisis and (permanent) austerity has become crucial for the profession, the users and democracy but is particularly difficult. Based on a critical policy theoretical framework, this chapter illustrates and interprets the features of social workers’ policy practice in Italy and Spain in the austerity age. Against deactivation hypotheses, social workers’ potential in affecting welfare politics is enriched in both countries through the action of collective bodies from within the profession. Beyond flat visions of social workers’ policy practice, the analysis also shows that different mobilisation paths exist. The peculiar interactions between the political opportunities’ structure and the characteristics of professional bodies (political culture, resources, skills) in the medium term can account for the divergence. These interactions seem to be pushing social workers’ policy practice towards particularistic/professional or universal/political achievements.","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"53 ","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114050906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social work academia and social policy in Israel: on the role of social work academics in the policy process","authors":"Idit Weiss‐Gal, J. Gal","doi":"10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0006","url":null,"abstract":"This study contributes to research on policy practice by enriching our knowledge about the forms that the policy engagement of social work academics takes, the dynamics of this engagement, and the factors associated with it. The study is based on structured interviews with 24 faculty members from schools of social work in Israel, all of whom are actively involved in policy formulation. The findings of the study reveal that participants are motivated by ideology and values to engage in policy and that they do so despite their perception that there is a lack of institutional support for this type of activity. The participants report that they successfully manage to combine their policy-related activities with teaching and research. The study also indicates that the social policy formulation process in Israel offers specific opportunities for the policy engagement of social work faculty.","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"121 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127563531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social work as policy innovator: challenges and possibilities in the UK","authors":"R. Smith","doi":"10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0002","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter provides a brief overview of recent and current developments in social work policy activism in the UK. It reflects on the ‘radical social work’ tradition, and the relationship between policy work and professionalism in social work. Drawing on examples of organisation around key campaigns, the chapter makes the case for policy-oriented practice, as integral to all aspects of social work. In this respect, the distinction between ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ practice is redrawn, in order to demonstrate that both are equally infused with a policy dimension. It is impossible to undertake ‘policy-free’ practice; and the impact of policy and structures on service users has to be factored in to all aspects of social work intervention.","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"132 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128900808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social policy and welfare movements ‘from below’:","authors":"Rich Moth, M. Lavalette","doi":"10.2307/j.ctvhktj6v.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvhktj6v.13","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"49 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115005194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Systemic barriers to effective implementation of child protection reform in Israel","authors":"Ravit Alfandari","doi":"10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0010","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter presents a qualitative study that was conducted to investigate the implementation and outcomes of recent child protection reform in Israel. Using the ‘systems approach’ as conceptual framework allowed to understand the impact of the working conditions on every-day child protection practices. The key finding of the research – that the reform’s aims of strengthening practice and improving the safety and well-being of vulnerable children have not been entirely achieved – is explained by the organisational working environment and culture acting as barriers to the expected change. Findings touch on in particular: heavy workloads and an organisational culture that seeks opportunities to shortcut procedures and processes; inadequate professional supervision and support; insufficient training and qualifications; and lack of strong organisational leadership. It is concluded that organisations’ underlying problems need to be resolved if effective delivery of services for children and families is to be achieved.","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"27 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128491035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social workers implementing social assistance in Spain:","authors":"S. Castiñeira","doi":"10.2307/j.ctvhktj6v.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvhktj6v.16","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128513559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Layering, social risks and manufactured uncertainties in social work in Poland1","authors":"Paweł Poławski","doi":"10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0012","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter shows the latent functions and perverse effects of activation policy, conditionality, and related governance reforms implemented on a local level in Poland from the perspective of social workers. The chapter focuses on the consequences of layering processes within welfare state institutions, and how these processes shape the structure of social assistance and affect social work. The analysis is based on qualitative data collected from in-depth interviews with social workers that cover their experiences with the implementation of activation measures that have been modified and adjusted to local realities. The research confirms that orientation toward poverty management is strengthened by the pillarization of organizational structures and financial mechanisms, and that the reforms generate dysfunctions and strengthens uncertainties for both beneficiaries and social workers.","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131085224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social policy and welfare movements ‘from below’: the Social Work Action Network (SWAN) in the UK","authors":"Rich Moth, M. Lavalette","doi":"10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0008","url":null,"abstract":"Mainstream policy analysis tends to underplay the role of collective action and social struggles from below in influencing the political and ideological environment in which social policy agendas emerge. This chapter addresses this lacuna through an account of a social movement organisation, the Social Work Action Network (SWAN), and its involvement in campaigns to oppose neoliberal mental health and welfare policy reforms. The chapter examines SWAN’s primary modes of political intervention: ideological, agitational and grassroots campaigning which are underpinned by a strategy of cross-sectional alliance building that seeks to integrate the demands of diverse constituencies including practitioners and service users. We conclude that, while the network’s interventions may not have led directly to specific policy shifts, these strategic orientations have nonetheless strengthened challenges to service cuts and restrictions at both ideological and practical levels whilst simultaneously prefiguring elements of the inclusive, democratic and egalitarian welfare futures SWAN seeks to promote.","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"27 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122442017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"‘A little more humanity’: placement officers in Germany between social work and social policy","authors":"M. Gottwald, F. Sowa","doi":"10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1332/POLICYPRESS/9781447349150.003.0013","url":null,"abstract":"By definition, no social work is supposed to be carried out in the labour administration. However, what do German placement officers reveal about the implementation of social policy when they describe their activity as social work? Classical research studies on public employment service (PES) as well as our own empirical research reveal the following: while it emerged from earlier studies that placement officers described themselves as ‘social workers’ in order to lend greater meaning to their activities, interviews conducted with today's placement officers indicate their criticism as well: dysfunctional effects of an organisational means of achieving the social policy goals set by the Hartz labour-market reforms (2003-05) are specified – including the welfare-to-work principle being made unnecessarily stricter, thereby increasing the risk of the unemployed becoming ‘genuine’ social work cases.","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"220 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124363450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Introduction:","authors":"Ute Klammer, S. Leiber, Sigrid Leitner","doi":"10.2307/j.ctvhktj6v.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvhktj6v.6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":116443,"journal":{"name":"Social Work and the Making of Social Policy","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116446465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}