‘Transforming’ Children’s Services? Social Work, Neoliberalism and the ‘Modern’ World

by Garrett, Paul Michael

• ISBN13: 9780335234240
• ISBN10: 0335234240
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-08-01
• Publisher: Open Univ Pr

Summary

"This is a forensic dissection of New Labour's approach to transforming children's services. Garrett brings together politics, policy and plans in a resolutely critical engagement with the futures currently being made both for social workers and for the families and children who may need those services." John Clarke, Professor of Social Policy, The Open University"Paul Michael Garrett writes with verve, commitment and clarity. His new book on transforming Children's Services will make a significant and lasting impression on the social work literature." Stephen Webb, Director of Institute of the Advanced Study for Humanity (IASH) University of Newcastle, UKThis book provides an accessible overview of the 'transformation' of Children's Services in England. In doing this, it draws on social theory, critical social policy and takes account of developments in other countries.Paul Michael Garrett argues that the many changes which have taken place within, and beyond, Children's Services are related to the politics of Neoliberalism which, it is maintained, lie at the core of theChange for Childrenprogramme.Readers will find detailed discussion on: The Laming Report which examined the death of Victoria Climbie The case of 'Baby P' Social work's 'electronic turn' and the use of ICTs in Children's Services Controversial plans to introduceContactpoint(a database on all children) More pervasive patterns of surveillance How 'ASBO politics' has influenced the 'transformation' agenda So-called 'Problem families' and the measures put in place to respond to such families Controversial plans to set up 'Social Work Practices' for children in public care Transforming Children's Servicesis clearly a key reading for social work and social policy students. Furthermore, the book directly addresses a range of issues of direct concern to practitioners.The book will also find an audience amongst academics, policy makers and all those who are interested in critical reflection and in applying theoretical insights to practice issues. After each chapter a 'Reflection and Talk' box is included to prompt further discussion on the key themes examined.

Author Biography

Paul Michael Garrett is the Director of Social Work at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Spinning the 'Transformation': New Labour's way with words

Children's Services and 'Modern' Times

Chapter Map

Reflection and Talk Box 1

Theorizing Neoliberal 'Transformation'

Defining Neoliberalism

Remaking the State

Actually Existing Neoliberalism

Accumulation by Dispossession

Precariousness and Flexibility

Lockdown

The 'Double Shuffle': Doing Neoliberalism the New Labour Way

Embedding Neoliberalism: Giddens and the Third Way

Winning Hearts and Minds

Conclusion

Reflection and Talk Box 2

The 'transformational reform agenda': The Change for Children programme

Launching the 'transformational reform agenda'

The tripartite system to facilitate better 'outcomes'

'Imagine you are in a Foreign Country'

The 'Common' Vision

Being 'Modern' and being American

Looking to the 'Symbolic Mecca'?

Venturing to Vermont

Prevention and 'Prevention Science'

Conclusion

Reflection and Talk Box 3

Neoliberal Globalism, 'Race' and Place: Reviewing the Laming Report on the death of Victoria Climbi

'Working with Diversity': Laming, 'Race' and Racism

'I do not do political correctness': Laming on 'Race'

A world shook up: Neoliberal globalism and the Victoria Climbi tragedy

Responding to the 'out of place'

Suspicion and Deterrence: The 'absent presence' in Laming's Report

'Flexibility' in Action: The temporary, transient, trans-national workforce

Conclusion

Reflection and Talk Box 4

'Transformation', Technology and Surveillance

The e-government agenda: Technologising and marketising the public sector

The 'Surveillance State'

Surveillance Today

Examining ContactPoint (CPd)

The 'e-Turn' and the remaking of practitioners' temporal frameworks

Conclusion

Reflection and Talk Box 5

Making 'Anti-Social Behaviour': ASBO Politics

'Anti-Social Behaviour': Putting it into words

Tracking 'Anti-Social Behaviour'

Creating 'Respect' and 'Responsibility'

'Radical' and 'Modern' approaches to 'Chaotic Families'

'Been there': The ASBO Politics of Blunkett

Excavating the 'Problem Family' in an Age of 'Terrorism' and 'Insecurity': The ASBO Politics of Blair

Conclusion

Reflection and Talk Box 6

'Problem Families' and 'Sinbin' Solutions

The State, 'Social Problems' and the Backward Glance

Promoting the 'Empowerment' of Families: The Dundee Families Project

Getting a 'Grip' on the 'Anti-Social Family': Examining the 'Pioneers'

Reporting the 'transformation' of Children's Services: Researchers and the 'lives of others'

Conclusion

Reflection and Talk Box 7

Making 'happier' children and more 'fulfilled' social workers?

Privatizing social work services for 'looked after' children

'Transforming' the lives of children and young people in care?

Examining the potential for SWP

SWP: The Grand Vision

Tilting the balance: The 'war of position' against local authority social work

Examining the SWP working group

The private sector rescuing a 'failing' care system?

Parents and young people: Examining the excluding and filtering processes

Conclusion

Reflection and Talk Box 8

Conclusion

Future(s)

Architects of the 'Transformation'

Lifting the Heart: (Creative) Social work is Elsewhere 'Baby P'

Another 'Transformation' is possible: Resistance and Opposition in a 'Modern' World

Notes

References

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