nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University 1 The changing face of social work in the Netherlands Dr. Nol Reverda Lector European Social Studies

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University2 Contents The context The context –Climate change –Trends in social sector –Law on social support as an example –Changing roles of current Dutch social work Two examples: Two examples: –Reconstruction of deprived urban neighbourhoods –Strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University3 The context: climate change Tolerance: - Legalisation and support instead of criminalisation and oppression - Examples: laws on abortion, euthanesia, drugs, marriage, prostitution Control: - Regulations and sanctions instead of tolerance - Examples: intro electronic files, no social benefits until 27 years, forced education during unemployment, family sanctions in case misconduct of their children

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University4 The context: trends in social sector Socialeconomic – social cultural Socialeconomic – social cultural Social protection – social activation Social protection – social activation Neo-liberalism: state – market and civil society Neo-liberalism: state – market and civil society Universal – contextual Universal – contextual National – local National – local Commitment - quality assurance and accountability: registration, instrumentalisation and protocollisation Commitment - quality assurance and accountability: registration, instrumentalisation and protocollisation

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University5 The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO) as an example A changed system of social and care policy with the following objectives: To make care and support systems more transparent for citizens (‘one office’) To make care and support systems more transparent for citizens (‘one office’) To enable people to live outside institutions as long as possible To enable people to live outside institutions as long as possible To reduce the use and demand on existing care and support systems To reduce the use and demand on existing care and support systems

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University6 The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO) as an example Points of departure: The citizen is responsible for own participation in society (self-reliant with a personal network) The citizen is responsible for own participation in society (self-reliant with a personal network) Citizens are responsible for each other (civil society) Citizens are responsible for each other (civil society) In addition to general facilities for participation, municipalities must also facilitate participation of vulnerable groups In addition to general facilities for participation, municipalities must also facilitate participation of vulnerable groups

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University7 The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO)as an example The law is meant for: All citizens (general facilities) All citizens (general facilities) Specific groups (specific facilities) - physically disabled (moderate and severe) - mentally disabled (moderate and severe) - psychiatric clients - vulnerable seniors - socially vulnerable and the homeless Specific groups (specific facilities) - physically disabled (moderate and severe) - mentally disabled (moderate and severe) - psychiatric clients - vulnerable seniors - socially vulnerable and the homeless

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University8 The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO)as an example A neo-liberal change - National government steps back - Increased responsibility for citizen (+ network), civil society and municipality (coordination) - Services offered in a free market through contracting (even international)

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University9 The context: changing roles of current Dutch social work Change of welfare state has led towards a rethinking of the position of social work Change of welfare state has led towards a rethinking of the position of social work Social work lost its embeddedness in the warm blanket of the welfare state and has to re-define its position in a neo-liberal regime Social work lost its embeddedness in the warm blanket of the welfare state and has to re-define its position in a neo-liberal regime Social work has to prove how it contributes to reconstruction and social cohesion in society Social work has to prove how it contributes to reconstruction and social cohesion in society Strong emphasis to result-orientation and evidence based practice Strong emphasis to result-orientation and evidence based practice Discussion on identity of social work: how to identify position in new context? How to deal with the dilemma of discretional space versus protocollisation? Discussion on identity of social work: how to identify position in new context? How to deal with the dilemma of discretional space versus protocollisation?

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University10 The context: changing roles of current Dutch social work Needs based orientation/client linked budget Needs based orientation/client linked budget Recognition of client’s capacities Recognition of client’s capacities Outreaching, even forced interventions Outreaching, even forced interventions Network theory, re-invention of community work Network theory, re-invention of community work Development of multi-functional organisations Development of multi-functional organisations Importance of multi-disciplinary approach Importance of multi-disciplinary approach Professional mediation: activation of strengths instead of compensation of weaknesses, focused on active contribution to society Professional mediation: activation of strengths instead of compensation of weaknesses, focused on active contribution to society

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University11 Example 1: Reconstruction of deprived urban neighbourhoods 40 selected urban areas 40 selected urban areas 2,5 billion for 10 years 2,5 billion for 10 years Indicators: problems in housing, employment, (low) education, raising children, integration (immgrants) and safety (criminality) Indicators: problems in housing, employment, (low) education, raising children, integration (immgrants) and safety (criminality) Five themes: housing, education and parental support and upbringing children, employment, integration and safety Five themes: housing, education and parental support and upbringing children, employment, integration and safety

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University12 Example 1: Reconstruction of deprived urban neighbourhoods Core functions of social professionals: Centres for youth and family Centres for youth and family –Information on education and parental support for upbringing children –Strong mandate/interventions in case of family problems (also in relation to safety policy) Integration and social cohesion Integration and social cohesion –Binding factors –Active citizenship –Social participation Required competences: Required competences: –Intervening capacities –(informal) client network development –Cross-organisational cooperation (chain approach)

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University13 Relevance: Origins community work in empowering civil society Origins community work in empowering civil society Role and identity conflict in relation to care (EBP) and churches (solidarity) Role and identity conflict in relation to care (EBP) and churches (solidarity) Need for objectivation and rationalisation Need for objectivation and rationalisation Need for ‘words’ to express community work contribution Need for ‘words’ to express community work contribution Regaining professional identity and pride Regaining professional identity and pride Example 2: strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University14 Example 2: strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research Objectives: Strengthening of citizens’ initiatives (civil society) by identifying good practices Strengthening of citizens’ initiatives (civil society) by identifying good practices Empowering of role of community work to support citizen’s initiatives Empowering of role of community work to support citizen’s initiatives Reflective practitioner: professionalisation of community work methods by: Reflective practitioner: professionalisation of community work methods by: –Reflection upon existing expertise and experiences –Input of new ideas/knowledge/contacts –Development of monitor/evaluation system

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University15 Required professional competences: –Intervening capacities –Facilitation of citizen’s initiatives –(informal) client network development –Cross-organisational cooperation (chain approach) –Capacity to present soundly based results Example 2: strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research

nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University16 Thanks for your attention Thanks for your attention