‘Care Matters’ and the privatization of looked after children’s services in England and Wales: Developing a critique of independent ‘social work practices’

Abstract

The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 sets out parliamentary legislation that will allow local authorities in England and Wales to outsource their ‘corporate parenting’ function of social work services for children in public care to private or independent Social Work Practices (SWPs). The champions of private SWPs in the New Labour administration have found allies amongst the social work profession, including its professional body the British Association of Social Workers. This paper will briefly examine the case for SWPs and comment on the recent debate within social work. It is argued that, whilst these developments are consistent with current trends for the commodification and marketization of children’s services, opposition to and organized resistance towards SWPs should focus on the implications of the contracts for vulnerable children with complex needs. The commentary concludes by identifying some of the key issues that may be helpful for independent evaluation when the initial piloting phase reaches its conclusion in 2012.