Social theory, social change and social work: an introduction

Abstract

Ever since the early 1970s social work in Britain has been highly contested and subject to a variety of public, political and professional debates and opprobrium often in the full glare of media attention (Franklin and Parton, 1991; Aldridge, 1994). However, recent years have witnessed new levels of uncertainty and change characterised by the ‘destabilisation of an entire service system’. While this generates energy, excitement and new ideas, as Harding (1992) argues, it also generates high anxiety and stress for those involved, particularly if they have few opportunities to understand or influence it. ‘The certainties of a professionally-driven, local authority-controlled service system no longer exist, and few people have a clear vision or experience of the potential alternatives’ (Harding, 1992:3).

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