Neoliberal perspectives on risks: repercussions on child protection in the United Kingdom

Abstract

A set of reflections developed by us in recent years revealed how, from the end of the twentieth century, (i) the debate and semantics of risk gained a previously unknown centrality and (ii) the ideas and practices of neoliberal policies mediated by attempts to privatize social protection and the desocialization of risks, have gained new impetus. The paper seeks to problematize and reflect on the impacts, the concerns provoked by these issues in the daily practice of social workers. Problematises the complex mediations that permeate the assessments and decisions to be taken in the face of risks. It aims to discuss and analyse how the neoliberal political agenda, highlighting changes in perspectives, representations about professional know-how and the apprehension, confrontation, assessment, and regulation of situations of risk/danger experienced by children and their families, has impacted and contributed to a reconfiguration of the practices, identities and values of Social Work intervening in child protection sphere in the United Kingdom. Methodologically, we chose a qualitative approach, using a systematic and consistent review of the specialised literature available in scientific databases. The results show how, during the period under analysis, the introduction of reforms in child protection sphere highlights the emergence of new risk management logics mediated by an actuarial culture. The implementation of increasingly scientific risk management systems, by contributing to a growing subordination of autonomy and professional expertise to computer protocols, has led to a redefinition of the nature of Social Work.