Mind the Gap: Why policy does not become practice Patrick Ayre Department of Applied Social Studies University of Bedfordshire web:

Deprofessionalisation Policy: we need to develop a more highly skilled and competent professional workforce Practice: we are developing a workforce which is increasingly deprofessionalised and lacking in professional self-confidence

Deprofessionalisation Part of a wider trend Managerialism, McDonaldisation and the audit culture Management by external objectives Impact of causes célèbres Professionals not to be trusted

Policy and practice Policy may be aimed at achieving broad aspirational objectives Local practice aims at achieving narrow pragmatic objectives This pragmatism is exacerbated by management by targets

Pious calm?

The truth, the whole truth? Born in 1942, he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment at the age of 25. After 5 unsuccessful fights, he gave up his attempt to make a career in boxing in 1981 and has since had no other regular employment

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Climate of fear Climate of mistrust Climate of blame

Trusting procedures Procedural proliferation Blaming and training The myth of predictability

Procedures as a net to catch problems

Young people abused through prostitution Policy: Young people engaged in prostitution will be treated as children at risk rather than as offenders Practice: Virtually no effect on child care practice in most parts of the country