A Fisher-eye lens on social work reform

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21721748
AutoresMichael McGrath-Brookes (0000-0002-7546-2037, Brunel University of London, autor de correspondencia), Joe Hanley (0000-0002-5505-6760, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK), Martyn Higgins (0000-0003-0985-6430, London South Bank University)
Año2021
Volumen21
Número5
Páginas1261-1277
Fecha de publicación2021-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Social Work (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1468-0173 • E-ISSN: 1741-296X
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1468017320956750
OpenAlexW3084454871
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas22

Mark Fisher’s Capitalist Realism, published in 2009, has been recognised as one of the most important contributions chronicling the rise, application and consequences of neoliberalism. However, Fisher’s ideas have until now only garnered passing mention in the study of neoliberalism in children and families social work in England, despite there being extensive research, argument and publication on the subject more broadly. This article attempts to rectify this gap and apply Fisher’s theory to the recent reforms in children and families social work in England. Findings The article applies Fisher’s commentary on the co-option of language, invoking crisis, bureaucracy and proposing change to implement no change, to the reforms in children and families social work that began with the implementation of Reclaiming Social Work in 2008. Since that time, the original architects of Reclaiming Social Work have gained significant positions of power and influence and been instrumental in introducing neoliberal reforms throughout children and families social work in England. Applications Through applying the approach and concepts of Mark Fisher, this article concludes that it is possible to determine that the current reforms are, at their core, neoliberal in nature and driven by an ideological imperative to transform children and families social work in England into a neoliberal edifice, with less public sector and state input and oversight and an increase in the influence of ‘not-for-profits’, charities and international for-profit consultancies

Capitalism · Critical theory · Ideology · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work