(Against) Neo-liberal Social Work

Eroding distinctions traditionally made between the private, public and voluntary sectors, the assumptions and principles of hegemonic neo-liberalism have been relocated, often unquestioned, beyond their origins in corporate business. This challenging book uses illustrative snapshots from contemporary social work to critique the nature and extent of neo-liberalism’s impact on social work.

Charting social work’s development from its early days through to 1970s bureau-profession status and onto contemporary neo-liberalism, John Harris identifies key neoliberal principles and processes that have been particularly significant for social work. Discussing possibilities for resistance throughout, he explores in detail how the interrelated processes of marketisation, consumerisation and managerialisation have changed, often negatively, how social work is both practised and experienced.

Neo-liberal Social Work is an important read for all those interested in social work management, social policy, and public sector management.