Within the field of studies on professionalism, this paper explores the changes in roles of social workers and the new tensions emerging in the relationship with their organisational contexts, due to the reduction of resources and the introduction of neoliberal and managerial policies in the welfare system. The paper is based on qualitative research carried out through 32 in-depth interviews with frontline social workers engaged in child and family services in Italy. The paper investigates how spending cuts have affected the relationship with the organisation arguing that the ways the cuts are implemented, as well as the room for professional recognition set by the organisation, are relevant. A four-character social worker typology is outlined, drawn from the intersection of two meaningful dimensions: sense of belonging and critical thinking. It is argued that a ‘critically engaged’ type points to a new form of professionalism that may emerge from the current crisis of the relationship between the organisation and social workers.
L’articolo si colloca nell’ambito degli studi sul professionalismo ed esplora i cambiamenti nel ruolo degli assistenti sociali in Italia, alla luce dell’emergere di tensioni nel rapporto con l’organizzazione date dalla contrazione delle risorse e all’introduzione di assetti organizzativi di tipo manageriale e neoliberista. È basato su una ricerca qualitativa svolta attraverso 32 interviste con assistenti sociali impegnati nei servizi per i minori e le famiglie in Italia. Indaga come la contrazione delle risorse e i tagli alla spesa sociale abbiano influenzato il ruolo e l’identità professionale ed analizza come gli assistenti sociali maneggino e qualifichino i dilemmi emergenti nel rapporto con l’organizzazione. Dall’analisi emergono due dimensioni significative—il senso di appartenenza all’organizzazione e la riflessione critica—la cui intersezione dà luogo ad una tipologia di quattro caratteri. Da questa emerge una figura di professionista, criticamente ingaggiato, che viene proposta come suggerimento di una possibile nuova forma di professionalismo
Bertotti, T. (2016). Resources reduction and welfare changes: tensions between social workers and organisations. The Italian case in child protection services. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK, 19(6), 963-976 [10.1080/13691457.2015.1030363].
Resources reduction and welfare changes: tensions between social workers and organisations. The Italian case in child protection services
Bertotti, T
2016
Abstract
Within the field of studies on professionalism, this paper explores the changes in roles of social workers and the new tensions emerging in the relationship with their organisational contexts, due to the reduction of resources and the introduction of neoliberal and managerial policies in the welfare system. The paper is based on qualitative research carried out through 32 in-depth interviews with frontline social workers engaged in child and family services in Italy. The paper investigates how spending cuts have affected the relationship with the organisation arguing that the ways the cuts are implemented, as well as the room for professional recognition set by the organisation, are relevant. A four-character social worker typology is outlined, drawn from the intersection of two meaningful dimensions: sense of belonging and critical thinking. It is argued that a ‘critically engaged’ type points to a new form of professionalism that may emerge from the current crisis of the relationship between the organisation and social workers.
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