The social worker speaks: II -management of change in the personal social services

The article presents some of the findings from 52 in-depth interviews with social workers relating to their perception of recent changes in the organisation and practice of the profession. Despite a common legislative framework, the study has identified considerable variations in the management of change at the agency level, which had a profound influence on the process of adaptation, and ultimately on the success of the outcome. Drawing from examples from the fieldwork, the paper explores the key factors which can lead to the success or failure of the management of change in the personal social services. This article is the second of a two part series and is based on a study of Social Workers' Career Patterns which was jointly funded by the University of East London and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC Grant n. R/000/23/3924)