De-Professionalism and Austerity

“A wide-ranging, robust and raging critique of the nature and impact of politically chosen austerity which has targeted poor people and public services.” British Journal of Social Work

“This timely, insightful and authoritatively written book provides an incisive analysis of the role of global neo-liberalism and associated austerity measures in forging the de-professionalisation of work within the public sector.” Social Policy Administration

“An optimistic and authoritative study. After the austerity years and the madness of Brexit, we should expect a much better more professional public sector future. This book tells us why.” Danny Dorling, University of Oxford

“An original and stimulating analysis which connects the two important topics of de-professionalism and austerity.” Martin Powell, University of Birmingham

"Nigel Malin provides us with profound insights into the state of contemporary public sector professionalism. Well written and meticulously researched, this book should be read by all of us concerned about providing high quality public services." Nick Frost, Leeds Beckett University

'This important book sets out the myriad, and heretofore overlooked, ways that the UK’s austerity project has impacted on those professions tasked with implementing it.' Stephen Crossley, Northumbria University

Nigel Malin holds degrees from the Universities of Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and the West of Scotland. Previously he has held full-time teaching and research posts at the Universities of Sunderland, Derby, Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, including two Professorships and one Readership. He is author/co-author of ten books, including Professionalism, Boundaries and Workplace (Routledge, 1999), Key Concepts and Debates in Health and Social Policy (Open University Press, 2002), Evaluating Sure Start (Whiting & Birch, 2012) and Community Care For Nurses And the Caring Professions (Open University Press, 1999). Since 2014 he has been Editor of Social Work & Social Sciences Review: An International Journal of Applied Research and since 2015 Associate Editor for the British Journal of Learning Disabilities. He currently lives in Sheffield and is undertaking research on the topic of professionalism and identity.

Part 1: Policy Background and Concepts

Austerity as a UK Policy Context on the Early Twenty-First Century

Neo-Liberalism as an Ideology, an Elite Project and its Impact on Austerity

Public Services, the UK Economy and the Brexit Debate

Part 2: Theoretical Frameworks and Ideology: Professionalism and De-Professionalism

Perspectives used in Studying Professions: Sociology and Social Philosophy

Perspectives used in Studying Professions: Social Policy and Public Administration

De-Professionalism: An Analytical Framework

Part 3: De-Professionalism in the Public Sector: Output Indicators

The Impact of Service Cutbacks, Job Insecurity and Globalisation

De-Professionalism as Defined by Services Deemed ‘Unconventional’, ‘Under-Performing’ or ‘Ineffectual’

Professional Training Programmes: Financial Cuts and Content Critique

Part 4: De-Professionalism in The Public Sector: Subjective or Experiential Indicators

A Demoralisation or Disparagement of the Workforce?

Professional Abuse of Power: Discreditation or a Lowering of Productivity

Conclusion: Professionals as Entrepreneurs in an Age of Austerity