'Transforming' Children's Services?
Social Work, Neoliberalism and the 'Modern' World
Published on 16. August 2009
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-0-335-23424-0 (ISBN)
Description
"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 the Change for Children programme. 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 introduce Contactpoint (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 Services is 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.
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 the Change for Children programme. 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 introduce Contactpoint (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 Services is 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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Milton Keynes
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
470 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-335-23424-0 (9780335234240)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Paul Michael Garrett is the Director of Social Work at the National University in Galway in the Republic of Ireland. He is the author of several books on social work and social policy and is a member of the editorial boards of The European Journal of Social Work and Critical Social Policy.
Content
Chapter 1 Introduction
Spinning the 'Transformation': New Labour's way with words
Children's Services and 'Modern' Times
Chapter Map
Reflection and Talk Box 1
Chapter 2 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
Chapter 3 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
Chapter 4 Neoliberal Globalism, 'Race' and Place: Reviewing the Laming Report on the death of Victoria Climbie
'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 Climbie 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
Chapter 5 '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
Chapter 6 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
Chapter 7 '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
Chapter 8 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
Chapter 9 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
Spinning the 'Transformation': New Labour's way with words
Children's Services and 'Modern' Times
Chapter Map
Reflection and Talk Box 1
Chapter 2 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
Chapter 3 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
Chapter 4 Neoliberal Globalism, 'Race' and Place: Reviewing the Laming Report on the death of Victoria Climbie
'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 Climbie 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
Chapter 5 '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
Chapter 6 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
Chapter 7 '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
Chapter 8 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
Chapter 9 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