Human Services Management in Rural Contexts

Abstract

The experience of managers of Social and Community Services (SACS) based in rural locations is the topic of this paper. Prompted by Richard Pugh’s article (2003, pp. 67–85), the paper identifies some of the features of managing social work services that are specific to rural contexts. Based on postgraduate research, the paper briefly describes the context of these services and the methodological approach used to collect in-depth, or thick, data. The issues of role, relationships, isolation, access to resources and training are discussed, as these were the themes that emerged from the data. The findings of the study suggest that rural managers’ experiences differ in significant ways from those of their urban-based colleagues. These differences are relevant to understanding the nature of management in rural contexts, and the education and support needed by these managers.

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