Introducing Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practices in Public Services: Rhetoric to Practice

Abstract

Abstract While anti-oppressive social work has become a central focus in theoretical social workdiscussions, the impact of its principles in the field is still marginal, especially in publicsocial services. The few studies documenting the implementation of anti-oppressivepractices in service organisations have typically focused on non-governmental agenciesor grass-roots community organisations. The influence of anti-oppressive discourse onthe public social services is virtually unknown. This article describes a case study of along-term, comprehensive change process that aimed to develop a new service basedon critical anti-oppressive principles in the public social services. Using quantitativeand qualitative data from extensive evaluation studies carried out during differentstages of the change process, the article reveals the complexity of introducing anti-op-pressive social work principles within the public welfare system. Findings and conclu-sions, far from categorical, call for a theoretical and practical debate on the role ofthese principles at the hard core of social work practice: the public services.Keywords: Anti-oppressive social work, anti-oppressive practice, social services,public services, critical theory