The changing face of social work in the Netherlands

1. The changing face of social work in the Netherlands Dr. Nol Reverda Lector European Social Studies nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

2. Contents • The context • Climate change • Trends in social sector • Law on social support as an example • Changing roles of current Dutch social work • Two examples: • Reconstruction of deprived urban neighbourhoods • Strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

3. The context: climate change nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

4. The context: trends in social sector • Socialeconomic – social cultural • Social protection – social activation • Neo-liberalism: state – market and civil society • Universal – contextual • National – local • Commitment - quality assurance and accountability: registration, instrumentalisation and protocollisation nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

5. The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO) as an example A changed system of social and care policy with the following objectives: • To make care and support systems more transparent for citizens (‘one office’) • To enable people to live outside institutions as long as possible • To reduce the use and demand on existing care and support systems nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

6. The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO) as an example Points of departure: • The citizen is responsible for own participation in society (self-reliant with a personal network) • Citizens are responsible for each other (civil society) • In addition to general facilities for participation, municipalities must also facilitate participation of vulnerable groups nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

7. The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO)as an example The law is meant for: • All citizens (general facilities) • Specific groups (specific facilities)- physically disabled (moderate and severe)- mentally disabled (moderate and severe)- psychiatric clients - vulnerable seniors- socially vulnerable and the homeless nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

8. The context: Dutch Law on Social Support (WMO)as an example - National government steps back - Increased responsibility for citizen (+ network), civil society and municipality (coordination) - Services offered in a free marketthrough contracting(even international) nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

9. The context: changing roles of current Dutch social work • Change of welfare state has led towards a rethinking of the position of social work • Social work lost its embeddedness in the warm blanket of the welfare state and has to re-define its position in a neo-liberal regime • Social work has to prove how it contributes to reconstruction and social cohesion in society • Strong emphasis to result-orientation and evidence based practice • Discussion on identity of social work: how to identify position in new context? How to deal with the dilemma of discretional space versus protocollisation? nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

10. The context: changing roles of current Dutch social work • Needs based orientation/client linked budget • Recognition of client’s capacities • Outreaching, even forced interventions • Network theory, re-invention of community work • Development of multi-functional organisations • Importance of multi-disciplinary approach • Professional mediation: activation of strengths instead of compensation of weaknesses, focused on active contribution to society nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

11. Example 1: Reconstruction of deprived urban neighbourhoods • 40 selected urban areas • 2,5 billion for 10 years • Indicators: problems in housing, employment, (low) education, raising children, integration (immgrants) and safety (criminality) • Five themes: housing, education and parental support and upbringing children, employment, integration and safety nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

12. Example 1: Reconstruction of deprived urban neighbourhoods Core functions of social professionals: • Centres for youth and family • Information on education and parental support for upbringing children • Strong mandate/interventions in case of family problems (also in relation to safety policy) • Integration and social cohesion • Binding factors • Active citizenship • Social participation • Required competences: • Intervening capacities • (informal) client network development • Cross-organisational cooperation (chain approach) nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

13. Example 2: strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research Relevance: • Origins community work in empowering civil society • Role and identity conflict in relation to care (EBP) and churches (solidarity) • Need for objectivation and rationalisation • Need for ‘words’ to express community work contribution • Regaining professional identity and pride nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

14. Example 2: strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research Objectives: • Strengthening of citizens’ initiatives (civil society) by identifying good practices • Empowering of role of community work to support citizen’s initiatives • Reflective practitioner: professionalisation of community work methods by: • Reflection upon existing expertise and experiences • Input of new ideas/knowledge/contacts • Development of monitor/evaluation system nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

15. Example 2: strengthening civil society and community work: a CESRT-research Required professional competences: • Intervening capacities • Facilitation of citizen’s initiatives • (informal) client network development • Cross-organisational cooperation (chain approach) • Capacity to present soundly based results nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University

16. Thanks for your attention nol reverda - CESRT/Zuyd University