ABSTRACT
The discussion of Lipsky's analysis of discretion in Street-Level Bureaucracy and the consideration of its subsequent development and application to the examination of professional discretion in Social Services have raised a number of questions. Discursive managerialist analysts point to the way in which professionalism continues to influence the nature of discretion, both through the impact it might have on assumptions within the organisation about the freedom afforded to certain occupational groups, and through the relationship between managers and practitioners. The concern of this chapter is the critical examination of Lipsky's street-level bureaucracy perspective in relation to professional discretion in managerialised Social Services. Within the elderly and physical disabilities service (EPDS) there is a clear split between commissioning, such as care management, and service provision, such as home care. In 2000 the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) was reorganised into a jointly managed, multi-agency, multi-disciplinary team with a team manager appointed by Health and Social Services.
