A social worker with two watches: Synchronizing the left and right ideologies

Abstract

Accompanying the diminishing voice of the client in cross-subsidized social work, the author makes an attempt to reveal the ambivalence and ambiguity of state-sponsored social work in Hong Kong. In light of the increase in quasi-welfare markets that promote an environment of competitive bidding on government subventions, this article addresses the contradictions between commercial and social work values after the commodification of welfare. Because frontline practitioners are becoming more reluctant to be involved in 'typical' social work interventions, reconsidering and recalculating costs are recommended under the pendulum of left and right ideologies in a postcolonial, neoliberal metropolis.

Exploring factors influencing social workers’ attitudes toward evidence-based practice: A Chinese study

“…For instance, youth workers often provide a range of services (e.g. guidance and counseling, and supportive and developmental programs) at Integrated Children and Youth Services Centers (ICYSCs), which is one of the major modes for youth service delivery in Hong Kong (Cheung, 2018; Lee, 2003). The word ‘integrated’ sounds promising, but should not mislead.…”

“…The professional staff at these centers often consist entirely of youth workers, who rarely get the opportunity to form inter-disciplinary teams or collaborate with professionals from other agencies or other disciplines where EBP is more established. Another possible explanation, though speculative, is that many Hong Kong social workers, particularly youth workers (Cheung, 2018), are supporters of a reformist agenda, and their determination to make Hong Kong a more caring society has often been coupled with an activist political stance (Lam and Blyth, 2014). Although this kind of ideological orientation is no longer as powerful a force as it was before, it still exists, and some youth workers may perceive the stress laid by EBP on ‘effectiveness’ and ‘evaluation’ as heralding an indirect attempt to implement new managerial methods and/or to restrain their autonomy (Duffy et al, 2017).…”

Researching Practice Wisdom in Social Work

“…For instance, in the context of Hong Kong, youth work makes up a significant portion of the statefunded social work service (Cheung, 2014(Cheung, , 2016. Social workers are hired to facilitate young people's personal and social development and to provide them with necessary guidance and support through a wide range of services including children and youth centre services, outreaching social work and school social work services.…”

Social work, neoliberalism, and post-disaster intervention: The 1985, 2010, and 2015 Chilean earthquakes

“…Some social work practices are very functional to this order (Wallace and Pease, 2011). This circumstance has not been critically observed by social work (Cheung, 2018), because it is about social political styles legitimated through processes which are simultaneously quotidian and global. Nevertheless, there are situations where quotidian normalization of neoliberalism does not work.…”