Enterprise culture, professional socialisation, and social work education in Britain

Abstract

Enterprise culture has underpinned policies designed to reduce state intervention and welfare dependence, and to stimulate economic growth. This paper looks critically at changes in the higher education system and in the professional education and training of social workers, into which employer involvement and a competences model have been introduced. It argues that these changes have challenged social work's professional autonomy and values and prepare social workers for working in more regulated and regulating ways in a residualised welfare system. Yet there are also opportunities offered in this time of change, and social work needs to adapt to a more diverse welfare system, with less professional dominance and more account ability both within welfare and education systems. The notions of competences and of employers therefore both need reconsideration if contemporary developments are to be taken in the direction of social justice.