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For any other use, or to quote extensively from the work, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder/s. ‘Social worker’ perceptions of organisational and professional changes to their work in Canada, England and South Africa Gary Christopher Spolander Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Health March 2021 Keele University 2 Key Words Social Work, comparative study, New Public Management, globalisation, managerialism, marketisation, austerity, social justice. Abstract 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; ever- changing 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. 3 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. 4 Table of Contents Abstract 3 Table of Contents 5 List of Tables 7 Acknowledgements 8 Chapter 1: Introduction 9 1.1 Changing Practice Landscapes: Practice in Context 9 1.2 Austerity, Globalisation and Increasing Social Inequality 19 1.3 Shifting Structures and Rising Precarity 22 1.4 Structural Impacts and Social Work 25 1.5 Research ObJective and Aims 32 1.5.1 Research ObJective 32 1.5.2 Aims of the Study 32 1.6 Key Terms 33 1.7 Research Context 36 1.8 Structure 38 1.9 Chapter Summary 40 Chapter 2: Literature Review 42 2.1 Introduction 42 2.2 Approach 47 2.3 Social Work Organisations 53 2.4 The Role and Function of Social Work 57 592.4.1 Interpretivist-Therapeutic Paradigm 60 2.4.2 Individualist- Reformist Paradigm 60 2.4.3 Neoliberal-Managerialist Paradigm 61 2.4.4 Socialist-Collectivist Paradigm 62 2.5 Social Work Professional Practice Challenges 68 2.6 Chapter Summary 78 Chapter 3: Social Work and Practice: Canada, England and South Africa 80 3.1 Introduction – Why Canada, England and South Africa? 80 3.2 Social Work in Canada 81 3.2.1 Country Context 81 3.2.2 Social Work: Structure and Organisation 83 3.3 Social Work in England 90 3.3.1 Country Context 90 3.3.2 Social Work Structure and Organisation 92 3.4 Social Work in the Republic of South Africa 99 3.4.1 Country Context 99 3.4.2 Social Work Structure and Organisation 102 5 3.5 Chapter Summary 106 Chapter 4: Research Methodology 109 4.1 Introduction 109 4.2 Research Design 109 4.2.1 Stage 1: Planning for Research 110 4.2.2 Stage 2: Guided Conversation Data Collection – Population, Sampling and Recruitment 113 4.2.3 Stage 3: Data Analysis 123 4.3 Ethical Framework 125 4.4 Profile of Participants 127 4.5 Chapter Summary 131 Chapter 5: Presentation of Social Work Voices 132 5.1 Introduction 133 5.2 Professional Identity and Development 134 5.3 Social Work Practice 142 5.4 Work with service users and other professionals 148 5.5 Key Findings Summary 171 Chapter 6: Discussion 174 6.1 How Social Workers Experience and Perceive Organisational and Professional Changes within their Professional Practice 175 6.2 How Management Practice Impacts on Social Workers Decision Making, Focus of their Work and Perceptions of Professional Risk and Trust 190 6.3 How Social Workers Accommodate their Professional Role, Responsibility, Accountability and Contradictions with their Managers and their Profession 200 6.4 Summary 220 Chapter 7: Conclusion 221 7.1 Strengths and Limitations of the Study 223 7.2 Contributions to Existing Theory 225 7.3 Practical Implications 227 7.4 Areas for Further Research 231 7.5 Reflections on My Professional Development 232 References 234 Appendix 1: Invitation to Participate 287 Appendix 2: Information Leaflet 288 Appendix 3: Consent 292 Appendix 4: Framework 294 Appendix 5: Keele Ethics Approval 296 6 List of Tables Table 1: Hybridised Social Work Ontology 59 Table 2: Details of Participants 128 Table 3: Number of Years Following Qualification 131 7 Acknowledgements There is a long list of individuals who have provided practical help and encouragement throughout this long period of study. It was no easy task for them or me, in perhaps one of the most challenging periods of my life. I received support and assistance from academic staff at Keele University, Prof. Steven M. Shardlow, Prof. Derek McGhee, Prof. Calum Paton, Prof. Charlotte Williams in the long process of developing and refining my research skills. I am also grateful for the participants who gave their time, their perspectives and shared their experiences. Without their honesty and sometimes bravery, some of their stories might never be told. My colleagues who provided support and enabled me to access their networks, Prof. Lambert Engelbrecht, Dr Annie Pullen-Sansfacon and Dr Linda Martin, thank you. To Didi, Ella and Hannah, thank you for your support and encouragement, this thesis would not have been possible without you. You have been unreservedly positive, patient and encouraging. Thanks for helping and walking with me on this journey. 8 Chapter 1: Introduction This study explores the perceptions of front-line social workers concerning organisational and professional changes to their working practice in Canada, England and South Africa. In this chapter, I introduce the changes to the social work profession and practice environment and outline my broad rationale for researching this topic in the three countries. I will consider the context for these changes, exploring the changing professional landscape, introduce the research background, outline the research objective and aims, key terms and the research context. 1.1 Changing Practice Landscapes: Practice in Context Social Work is a global profession, practiced in 114 countries (International Association of Schools of Social Work [IASSW], 2002). Commonalities of professional practice include anti-oppressive practice, recognition of diversity, linking macro and micro levels of practice and a commitment to social justice (Dominelli, 2007; Harris, 2003; Healy, 2001; Lundy, 2011; Payne & Shardlow, 2002). While social work has also had success professionalising and expanding in many countries (Aldridge, 1996; Weiss et al., 2004), in some countries it has endured a process of de-professionalisation and retrenchment (Leighninger & Midgley, 1997). The current international definition defines social work as: …a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and 9 liberation of people. Principles of social justice,