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| About the book |
"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, Australia "This is an excellent book and one of the best I have read for some time. It is a must have for all social work and social policy students and practitioners. Policy makers and managers should also read and digest this, even though they will probably find large parts an uncomfortable read." Steve Rogowski, Professional Social Work (Dec, 2009) "Paul Michael Garrett's designedly critical analysis is timely, offering a fast-paced, hard-hitting, thought-provoking critique ... this book is sure to satisfy those looking for less of 'surface' and more 'depth' explorations ... I am sure that 'Transforming' Children's Services? will become essential reading for social work and social policy students throughout the UK and, indeed, internationally given that Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand share in cognate systems of child welfare and protection." Karen Broadhurst, Critical Social Policy (forthcoming, 2010) This 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 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. |
| About the authors |
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. |
| Table of contents |
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 Climbié '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 Climbié 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 |
