ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to locate the management of social work within the context of the change which has been taking place in the provision of welfare services since the end of the Second World War. It examines the developing relationship between different providers of welfare, the balance between statutory and nonstatutory provision and the increasing role of the independent sector. The chapter considers the development of state welfare and social work in order to contextualise current and future pressures on social work managers. The welfare state in the UK is generally seen as being established by the Labour government immediately after the Second World War. The major blueprint for the policies was the Beveridge Report of 1942. The Best Value concept particularly, is central to the White Paper on Local Government. The White Paper also includes the development of Standards Boards, scraps the idea of ‘capping’ of budgets and introduces options for local decision-making processes.
