This paper reports on the evaluation of an English experiment which, for the first time, moved statutory social work support for children and young people in out-of-home care from the public to the private or independent sector. Five social work practices (SWPs), independent or semi-independent...

This paper challenges proceduralized, rule-bound approaches to ethics and considers how social workers and teams can develop an attitude of compassionate concern and become more effective in dealing with ethical problems in their day-to-day practice. It introduces the work of Humberto Maturana,...

1. Introduction -- 2. Governance, markets and managerialism; and a framework for alternative approaches -- 3. The individual manager and leader through a rational-objectivist lens -- 4. The reflective individual in management and leadership -- 5. Rational planning and control :...