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

Neil Thompson … Latest book: People Management

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