Professionalism Not Process Dr Neil Thompson

Phase One  Social work as a set of problem-solving, empowering activities

Phase One  Social work as a set of problem-solving, empowering activities  Emphasis on creative problem solving and helping people find solutions to their problems and challenges

Phase One  Social work as a set of problem-solving, empowering activities  Emphasis on creative problem solving and helping people find solutions to their problems and challenges  Community focus

Phase One  Social work as a set of problem-solving, empowering activities  Emphasis on creative problem solving and helping people find solutions to their problems and challenges  Community focus  Services as a last resort

Phase One  Social work as a set of problem-solving, empowering activities  Emphasis on creative problem solving and helping people find solutions to their problems and challenges  Community focus  Services as a last resort  Social workers trusted to make professional decisions

Phase Two  Making public services more like businesses

Phase Two  Making public services more like businesses  Emphasis on service delivery – business mentality of acquisition of ‘goods’

Phase Two  Making public services more like businesses  Emphasis on service delivery – business mentality of acquisition of ‘goods’  Consumerist ethos

Phase Two  Making public services more like businesses  Emphasis on service delivery – business mentality of acquisition of ‘goods’  Consumerist ethos  Shift from professional analysis and creative practice to bureaucratic rationing of scarce resources (from heuristic to algorithmic)

Phase Two: The Impact  Top-down approach that discourages professionalism, deskills social workers and lowers morale

Phase Two: The Impact  Top-down approach that discourages professionalism, deskills social workers and lowers morale  Cart before the horse approach – focusing on services (input) rather than on solutions (outcomes)

Phase Two: The Impact  Top-down approach that discourages professionalism, deskills social workers and lowers morale  Cart before the horse approach – focusing on services (input) rather than on solutions (outcomes)  Reduced role for creativity, problem- solving skills, empowerment and community engagement

Phase Three

Phase One Three  Social work as a set of problem-solving, empowering activities  Emphasis on creative problem solving and helping people find solutions to their problems and challenges  Community focus  Services as a last resort  Social workers trusted to make professional decisions

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