Unraveling the intricate web of social welfare: How is social work truly governed in the modern era? This incisive study delves into the multifaceted governance of social work in Germany, dissecting the complex interplay between state intervention, market forces, and the vital role of civil society. Examining the diverse forms of governance that shape social work practice, it grapples with fundamental questions about effectiveness, accountability, and the very nature of care in a rapidly evolving landscape. Explore the rise of managerialism and competition within the social sector, and the implications of service contracts and economization on the delivery of essential services. From dissecting the core definition of "governance" itself within a social work context to tracing the historical evolution of welfare provision, this analysis offers a critical perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing social work today. Discover how concepts like "welfare pluralism" manifest in practice, and how different governance models – market-driven, hierarchical, and network-based – impact the quality, accessibility, and equity of social services. Navigate the tensions between efficiency and ethical considerations as the study explores the influence of private-commercial sponsors and the adoption of management tools from the corporate world. Are market mechanisms truly compatible with the ethos of social work? How can we ensure effective oversight and regulation in a sector characterized by inherent complexity and human vulnerability? This exploration navigates the shifting sands of German social work, providing invaluable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and anyone concerned with the future of social welfare. This book offers a comprehensive assessment of the governance structures shaping social work in Germany, providing an in-depth look at managerialism, competition, and the delicate balance between state, market, and civil society. It questions the effectiveness of different governance models and analyzes the impact of service contracts and economization on social work practices. Discover the evolving landscape of social services and the challenges of governing complex social work processes. This insightful analysis sheds light on the role of competition, the influence of private-commercial sponsors, and the restructuring of social institutions. Understand the implications of welfare pluralism and the various governance models in use, from market-driven approaches to hierarchical and network-based systems. Explore the persistent uncertainties and challenges of controlling complex social work processes while navigating the incomplete and sometimes distorted nature of social work markets. This essential resource provides a crucial understanding of the forces shaping social work in Germany today.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Governance as a term
- Governance of social work
- Which forms of governance can be found in social work and how "successful" are they?
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the governance of social work in Germany, examining the various forms of governance employed, their effectiveness, and the expectations surrounding them. It investigates the balance between state support, market mechanisms, and civil society involvement in shaping social work provision.
- Definition and application of the term "governance" in social work.
- Analysis of different governance models (market, hierarchy, network) within German social work.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness and challenges of these governance models.
- Examination of the role of competition, managerialism, and service contracts in shaping social work.
- Discussion of the balance between state, market, and civil society in funding and regulating social work.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the broad application of the term "governance" across various sectors and levels of society. It highlights the complexities of governing social work in Germany, posing key questions about the optimal balance between state support, market mechanisms, and civil society involvement. The chapter frames the main research questions that will be addressed throughout the paper.
Governance as a term: This chapter provides a definition of governance, describing it as the complex interplay of organizational structures, decision-making processes, control, and regulation within economic, political, and societal contexts. It acknowledges the limitations of traditional models (state, market, hierarchy) in addressing collective problems and presents a three-way typology of competition (market), hierarchy, and network as a framework for understanding governance in social services. The chapter emphasizes the importance of a clear definition of governance for analyzing social services and assessing the potential impact of reform concepts.
Governance of social work: This chapter explores the historical development of social work in Germany, tracing the shift from a model of market-based provision to one increasingly characterized by service contracts and negotiations between actors. It highlights the lack of a uniform understanding of governance within the field and underscores the need to question the extent to which social work can be governed and the forms of governance best suited to its unique needs. The chapter introduces the concept of "welfare pluralism" to describe the mixed funding and responsibility structures common in social services.
Which forms of governance can be found in social work and how "successful" are they?: This chapter delves into the different forms of governance used in German social work, focusing on the increasing influence of managerialism and competition. It discusses the introduction of private-commercial sponsors, the transfer of management instruments from the private to the social sector, and the restructuring of social institutions into companies. The chapter examines both the potential benefits (increased efficiency, quality improvement) and limitations of managerialism, acknowledging the persistent uncertainties and challenges of controlling complex social work processes. It also analyzes the impact of service contracts and economization, including the incomplete and sometimes distorted nature of social work markets.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Governance, social work, Germany, managerialism, competition, market, hierarchy, network, welfare pluralism, service contracts, economization, social services, state regulation, civil society.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Was ist das Hauptziel des Papiers über Governance in der Sozialen Arbeit?
Das Papier zielt darauf ab, die Governance der Sozialen Arbeit in Deutschland zu untersuchen, wobei die verschiedenen Formen der Governance, ihre Wirksamkeit und die Erwartungen an sie betrachtet werden. Es untersucht das Gleichgewicht zwischen staatlicher Unterstützung, Marktmechanismen und zivilgesellschaftlicher Beteiligung bei der Gestaltung der Sozialen Arbeit.
Was bedeutet "Governance" im Kontext der Sozialen Arbeit?
Governance wird als das komplexe Zusammenspiel von Organisationsstrukturen, Entscheidungsprozessen, Kontrolle und Regulierung in wirtschaftlichen, politischen und gesellschaftlichen Kontexten definiert. Es umfasst die Art und Weise, wie soziale Dienste organisiert, finanziert und reguliert werden, unter Berücksichtigung der Rollen von Staat, Markt und Zivilgesellschaft.
Welche Governance-Modelle werden in der deutschen Sozialen Arbeit untersucht?
Das Papier untersucht verschiedene Governance-Modelle, darunter Markt (Wettbewerb), Hierarchie und Netzwerk. Es analysiert, wie diese Modelle in der deutschen Sozialen Arbeit eingesetzt werden und welche Auswirkungen sie auf die Erbringung von Dienstleistungen haben.
Welche Rolle spielen Wettbewerb und Managerialismus in der Governance der Sozialen Arbeit?
Das Papier untersucht den zunehmenden Einfluss von Managerialismus und Wettbewerb auf die Soziale Arbeit. Es diskutiert die Einführung privat-kommerzieller Träger, die Übertragung von Managementinstrumenten aus dem privaten in den sozialen Sektor und die Umstrukturierung sozialer Einrichtungen in Unternehmen. Es analysiert die potenziellen Vorteile und Einschränkungen dieser Ansätze.
Was sind Dienstleistungsverträge ("Service Contracts") und wie beeinflussen sie die Soziale Arbeit?
Dienstleistungsverträge sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Governance der Sozialen Arbeit. Das Papier untersucht die Auswirkungen dieser Verträge und der Ökonomisierung auf die Soziale Arbeit, einschließlich der unvollständigen und manchmal verzerrten Natur sozialer Arbeitsmärkte.
Was ist "Wohlfahrtspluralismus" (Welfare Pluralism)?
Wohlfahrtspluralismus bezieht sich auf die gemischten Finanzierungs- und Verantwortungsstrukturen, die in sozialen Diensten üblich sind. Es bedeutet, dass die Verantwortung für die Erbringung sozialer Dienste nicht ausschließlich beim Staat liegt, sondern auch von privaten und zivilgesellschaftlichen Akteuren geteilt wird.
Welche Schlüsselwörter sind mit diesem Papier verbunden?
Die Schlüsselwörter sind: Governance, Soziale Arbeit, Deutschland, Managerialismus, Wettbewerb, Markt, Hierarchie, Netzwerk, Wohlfahrtspluralismus, Dienstleistungsverträge, Ökonomisierung, soziale Dienste, staatliche Regulierung, Zivilgesellschaft.
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- Sherina Beha (Author), 2022, Is it possible to govern social work in Germany?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1437769
