Capacity Building and the Reconception of Political Participation: A Role for Social Care Workers?

This paper explores a citizen-based approach to social work which may counter modern negative managerialist pressures on practice. It links the discourse concerning the growth of user involvement in public policy with the discourse about participation in political activity and suggests a role for so...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The British journal of social work 2007-01, Vol.37 (1), p.143-158
Main Authors: Postle, Karen, Beresford, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activism
capacity building
Capacity building approach
Citizen Participation
Citizenship
Communities
Community care
Community development
Democracy
direct democracy
Managerialism
Mental health
Older adults
Personal empowerment
Political behavior
Political discourse
Political participation
Political parties
Professional practices
service user involvement
Social work
Social Workers
United Kingdom
User involvement
Voting
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Summary:This paper explores a citizen-based approach to social work which may counter modern negative managerialist pressures on practice. It links the discourse concerning the growth of user involvement in public policy with the discourse about participation in political activity and suggests a role for social workers in supporting service users in initiatives such as self-help, campaigning and community action which offer a new interpretation of community-based social work. By engaging in this activity, health and social care professionals can support people to participate in emerging forms of active and inclusive citizenship. While participation in traditional political activity such as voting and political party membership is declining in the UK, people in marginalized groups are finding ways to have their voices heard about issues which directly concern them. Increasingly, groups such as disabled people, older people and mental health service users/survivors are taking part in activity which marks a shift of focus to include both self-help and campaigning. In contrast to their disillusion with traditional political activity, people across a range of groups have gained strength and encouragement from campaigning achievements. The paper draws on a national research study which offers fresh insights on these issues as a basis for exploring participative approaches to social work practice.
ISSN:0045-3102
1468-263X
DOI:10.1093/bjsw/bch330