Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This article explores how securitisation theory is mobilised in contemporary social work discourse, policy and practice. We draw on recent child protection research to support our claim that a new practice issue, described previously as securitised safeguarding, has emerged.APPROACH: We demonstrate its emergence using securitisation theory as a conceptual mode of analysis to describe how a securitised safeguarding response depicts particular families as an existential threat which, in turn, prompts a response characterised by forms of muscular liberalism.CONCLUSIONS: We argue that this emerging practice issue requires critical consideration and suggest it will have a significant impact on social work – one that is unlikely to be beneficial for the profession and, more importantly, families being worked with. By describing a process of de-securitisation, we offer an alternative and more nuanced approach that perceives families holistically, and mobilises a welfare safeguarding model. This more closely resembles traditional social work values of emancipation, liberation and empowerment within social work practice.
Highlights
This article explores how securitisation theory is mobilised in contemporary social work discourse, policy and practice
We develop a further dimension to this position, and explore emerging tensions between liberty and security in social work practice in statutory contexts charged with responsibility for safeguarding and de-radicalisation
We have previously argued that securitisation theory offers an imaginative, innovative and critical lens through which to critically explore contemporary social work policy and practice in the UK and elsewhere (Finch & McKendrick, 2019)
Summary
We argue that this emerging practice issue requires critical consideration and suggest it will have a significant impact on social work – one that is unlikely to be beneficial for the profession and, more importantly, families being worked with. By describing a process of de-securitisation, we offer an alternative and more nuanced approach that perceives families holistically, and mobilises a welfare safeguarding model. This more closely resembles traditional social work values of emancipation, liberation and empowerment within social work practice. In the UK and in many other countries, has always operated at the borders of the state and the populace; a position often described as the care and control functions of social work (Maclean & Harrison, 2012; Pitts, 2011) In this discussion, we develop a further dimension to this position, and explore emerging tensions between liberty and security in social work practice in statutory contexts charged with responsibility for safeguarding and de-radicalisation. The discussion begins with a brief overview of securitisation theory
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