Comparing assistant roles in education and social care: backgrounds, behaviours and boundaries

Abstract

This paper explores the character of two assistant roles drawn from different parts of the public services, the teaching assistant from education and the social work assistant from social care. Noting that these roles have assumed increasing importance as part of New Labour's modernization project, it suggests that they have nonetheless been neglected by policymakers and various research communities, particularly relative to professional roles. Using interview and survey data from eight case studies, the paper assesses the contribution made by these roles to the programme of public service reform in relieving burdens on professionals, contributing to the standards agenda and addressing difficulties in recruiting professionals. While the findings confirm the contribution made by both types of assistant, they also highlight differences in the balance of contribution, encouraging a focus on sub-sector institutions in explaining the development of occupational roles.