In Whose Interest?: The Privatisation of Child Protection and Social Work

As the government continues to open up childprotection and social work in England to a commercial market place, what is thesocial cost of privatising public services? And what effect has the failure ofprevious privatisations had on their provision? This book, by best-selling author and expert socialworker Ray Jones, is the first to tell the story of how crucial social workservices, including those for families and children, are now being out-sourcedto private companies. Detailing how the failures of previous privatisationshave led to the deterioration of services for the public, it shows how thistrend threatens the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and disabledadults.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Part 1: The recent history; How did we get here? The recent moves to privatise children's social services and social work; Creeping political control: the Children and Social Work Bill and anti-professionalism; The key players and their networks; Part 2: The long haul; The formation of the welfare state and its 1980s rejection by Thatcher; Thatchers levers and emchanism to promote marketisation and privatisation; Blair and New Labour's contribution to the journey; Cameron, the Coalition and the Conservatives: Cambornism and enhanced Thatcherism; Part 3: The impact of privatisation; Privatisation of public services and the undermining of the welfare state; The experience and outcomes of privatising public services; The impact to date of the privatisation of social care, social services and social work; Part 4: Changing course; No to Tina: an alternative journey for social work and children's social services.

About the Author :
Ray Jones is emeritus professor of social work at Kingston University and St George's, University of London. He has more than 40 years experience as a social worker and has been a director of social services, chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence, and chair of the British Association of Social Workers. He is a frequent media columnist and commentator and the author of six books, including the best selling 'The Story of Baby P: Setting the Record Straight' (Policy Press 2014). In 2017 he received the Social Worker of the Year Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Work.

Review :
"Ray remains one of the most knowledgeable and authoritative voices on social work in England today. In this book he effectively charts the dangerous and increasing influx of privatisation into the sector led by years of missguided political ideology. As the commercial commodification of care and social work continues and the Government seeks to strangle the profession this is a timely book that should act as a stark warning to anyone who mistakenly believes that profit driven services will protect the vulnerable." Emma Lewell-Buck, MP “It is beyond doubt that this book is the finest book about the politicisation of child protection and social work in England that has been written to date.” Children Australia (CUP) "In the wake of the Carillion failure, this accessible, topical critique of the effect of privatisation and the likely impact on those needing services is of considerable public interest and brings the issues to a wide readership." June Thoburn, CBE, University of East Anglia "There is no book quite like this. Ray's wealth of experience and engaging writing style makes this a must read text for everyone who is interested in and passionate about social work." Jadwiga T. Leigh, University of Sheffield "If Ray Jones didn’t exist then all those concerned about the creeping privatisation of social work, particularly in children’s services, would have to invent him. His latest book is an important contribution to the argument that social services should be public services." Guy Shennan, former Chair, British Association of Social Workers "Ray Jones combines 50 years' experience in social services with rigorous research and a passionate defence for public services to be delivered by the welfare state. He has produced a riveting account of the increasing privatisation of child protection in England. ... Essential reading for all professionals who have an interest in child protection." Harry Ferguson, Professor of Social Work, University of Birmingham " ... A worthwhile and fascinating read ...to be read by anyone concerned with the future of adult social care and children’s services." Critical Social Policy