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@Article{Clark:2005,
  author  = "Chris Clark", 
  title   = "The Deprofessionalisation Thesis, Accountability and Professional Character",
  journal = "Social Work & Society",
  number  = "2",
  year    = "2005"
}

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Bibliographic Citation Social Work & Society, Volume 3, Number 2 (01.12.2005)
Title The Deprofessionalisation Thesis, Accountability and Professional Character (eng)
Author Chris Clark
Language eng
Abstract It is said that the deprofessionalisation of social work and other welfare occupations reduces workers' professional discretion and autonomy, and thus their capacity to act in the best interests of their client. Without necessarily regarding the deprofessionalisation thesis as conclusive, this paper will ask how the state's control of the role and task of social workers impacts on their role-implicated obligations as professionals. If workers are reduced (as claimed) to the status of mere functionaries in systems they neither approve of nor control, does this exonerate them from bad outcomes or service failures? How should we view the dramatic increase in formal regulation now seen in the UK - as professionalisation or deprofessionalisation? The paper will argue that whatever the drift of policy, workers remain in some measure personally accountable. Service failures imply faults of practical reason that are partly attributable to the moral and intellectual character of professionals as individuals. It is therefore up to professionals, and their organisations, to attend to the improvement of professional character.
Subject Portrait of an Important International Leader in Social Work, IASSW, USA
Classified Subjects : ()
DDC 300
Rights DPPL
URN urn:nbn:de:0009-11-4907
DOI