ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes the social intervention as a planned social change, undertaken by a professionally autonomous, and the expert third element. This intervention requires legitimacy, and the contract provides the third with that requisite legitimacy. Spigt stated that development work brings about change through the use of existing strengths, in order to improve the effective functioning of individuals, groups and collective social structures. The Helmond local government called on the assistance of the North Brabant Provincial Development Organization to help resolve local social problems. Within the social intervention triad, Lange and Van der Hart distinguish between intervention contracts and behaviour contracts. It regulates the relationship between the client and the change agent, and the second the relationship between the clients. The autonomous helping position is a potential means of change. Whether this potential means also proves to be a means of effecting change in practice depends on the skills or expertise of the helping position.
