Evans, Antony (2006) Discretion and street-level bureaucracy theory : a case study of local authority social work. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis is a critical examination of social work discretion within adult
Social Services. The topic is explored through a critical analysis of Lipsky's
examination of discretion within street-level bureaucracies. The thesis
first outlines Lipsky's analysis of discretion and subsequent research
within the street-level bureaucracy perspective, identify the limited
analysis of the role of managers and the influence of professionalism on
discretion as areas for further consideration. The thesis explores debates
about management control and professionalism with regards to social
workers' discretion, and how these relate to the continuing relevance of
Lipsky's work on discretion. Two key alternative accounts of discretion in
contemporary social work are identified: domination managerialism,
arguing that managers have achieved control over social work and have
extinguished discretion; and the discursive managerialism perspective,
which sees managerial control and professional discretion intersecting in
different ways in different settings. The thesis examines these arguments
in terms of their descriptions of different regimes of discretion, that is:
how discretion is characterised; claims about the nature of management
control; and the role of professional status. These issues are examined
through a study of an older persons team and a mental health team within
the same local authority. The study suggests that 'management' is not
monolithic, but is an internally differentiated group, and that local
managers exercise significant discretion themselves and contribute to
practitioner discretion. Furthermore, professionalism as a formal principle,
in structuring discretion continues to be significant, but to different
degrees in the two different teams. The thesis concludes that the street-level
perspective is useful in identifying limitations on managers' ability to
control discretion. However) this perspective is also criticised as offering a
limited account and neglecting the role of managers and professionalism in
explaining the nature of social work discretion in Social Services.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Discretion, Social service -- Great Britain, Social work administration -- Great Britain, Social ethics
Official Date:	February 2006
Dates:	Date Event February 2006 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Applied Social Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Harris, John, 1952-
Extent:	iv, 305 leaves
Language:	eng

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