Critical Social Policy recent issues

Introduction

Burnett, J., Jeffers, S. — 2008-07-28

New Labour and the theory of globalization

Rustin, M. — 2008-07-28

This article argues that the theoretical basis of the New Labour project was sociological in its framing, drawing in particular on the ideas of Anthony Giddens. The theory of globalization, individualization and risk advanced by him and others became the rationale for New Labour's rejection of `traditional' socialist and welfare ideologies, holding the collectivist, materialist and class-based politics that these had upheld to be now obsolete. However, it is argued that Marxist analytic perspectives retain their relevance in understanding the dynamics of what is more clearly understood as global capitalism than in the more diffuse language of globalization. The concept of systemic contradiction developed by sociologists such as David Lockwood in the 1980s retains its relevance as an analytical resource in contemporary capitalist society.

Reflections and observations: An interview with the UK's first Chief Government Social Researcher

Burnett, J., Duncan, S. — 2008-07-28

Sue Duncan's civil service career spans thirty years; she has held posts in Communities and Local Government, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. While at the Cabinet Office, she worked in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit and was Director of Policy Studies in the Centre for Management and Policy Studies, where she was responsible for good practice in policy making, research and evaluation and for evidence-based policy making.

For much of her career she was in the Government Social Research (GSR) service, where she worked closely with senior civil servants and Ministers, providing research-based advice and policy analysis to inform government decision making. Her GSR career culminated in her appointment as the first ever Chief Government Social Researcher, responsible for the thousand or so social researchers working across government.

Sue is an active player in the wider research community and has served on numerous committees in the academic, commercial and public sector. She was a Commissioner and a Fellow of the Market Research Society, a member of the Social Research Association and an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University. She has written and lectured widely on policy, research, research utilization and evidence-based policy making and now works as an independent consultant.

The interview which follows draws out the themes of Sue's presentation as part of the Plenary Panel, `Sociology, Politics and Public Policy in 21st Century Britain' given to the British Sociological Association Annual Conference 2007 at the University of East London. In the interview, Sue reflects upon the connections between research, politics, sociology, and policy making as well as her own role in taking forwards the Modernising Government agenda of the `New' Labour governments.

Speaking to power: Tony Blair, complex multicultures and fragile white English identities

Wetherell, M. — 2008-07-28

This paper reflects on one example of knddowledge transfer conducted by the ESRC Identities and Social Action Programme which involved briefing Tony Blair for his December 2006 speech on multiculturalism and extremism. Two key themes in the report prepared for Blair and his speech-writer are described — the nature of contemporary complex multicultures and the `fragility' of white English identities. These are contrasted with themes in Blair's speech which, in general, celebrated (white) British national character and took a traditional `divided communities' perspective on UK multiculturalism while introducing further measures to encourage `integration'. The paper describes the dilemmas and challenges faced in formulating a report for this context, in particular issues about developing a narrative in a highly contested field, complicity with power and credentials to speak. It argues, too, that although ostensibly an exceptional opportunity, more mundane acts of knowledge transfer might be more effective.

Public sociology? Between heroic immersion and critical distance: Personal reflections on academic engagement with political life

Keith, M. — 2008-07-28

This article attempts to disrupt some of the ways in which engaged social science at times is forced to choose between the technocratic workings of the state and the political world of civil society. In disrupting the common sense distinction between `critical distance' and `heroic immersion' in the everyday life of the city, the piece tries to reframe an understanding of what the `public sociology' powerfully advocated by Michael Burawoy, when chair of the American Sociological Association, might achieve. Rather than conceptualize the ways in which particular knowledges enter into the public realm, we might alternatively think through the manner in which these forms of knowledge themselves constitute publics, congregate audiences around particular forms of expertise that need to be drawn on pragmatically and instrumentally in attempts both to achieve the good society and to link the academy to the civil realm. To do so we might also need to refigure the relation between the sentimental and the rational in the operating of state bureaucracy and the powerful economization of everyday life that sets precedent for the more influential forms of public engagement.

Family, community and politics: The fertile legacy of Michael Young

Dench, G. — 2008-07-28

The Institute of Community Studies was set up by Michael Young in order to carry out research on politically relevant social issues, in a context free from direct political control. A research method was devised for it whereby researchers made their own values and objectives very explicit, while staying as close as possible in their reports to the concerns and language of respondents themselves. This method has often been criticized by professional sociologists: but it reflects quite well the nature of social knowledge. It has produced reports which help to increase public understanding of social processes, and provide useful guidance to policy makers. Professional sociology on the other hand has tried to develop a rigorously value-free method. As a result, though, it often seems to be tied implicitly to values shared among researchers but not more universally. Arguably this makes it harder for the general public to understand, and accept, its findings.

`Careless talk': A critique of Dench, Gavron and Young's The New East End

Moore, R. — 2008-07-28

The task of revisiting Young and Willmott's Family and Kinship in East London was probably impossible. Dench, Gavron and Young extended the geographical coverage of their study area to include some fundamentally different zones adjacent to Bethnal Green. The study extended over a decade but the authors' The New East End fails to make clear dates, actors and locations. The theoretical framework is incoherent and especially so when referring to actors outside the area of study who the authors claim have considerable power and influence in the East End. Local people are static informants and so as a `community study' the book fails to provide a narrative or analysis rooted in local events during a very eventful period of its history. The discussion of social policy changes, which form the background to this study is partial and tendentious. Although there is an illuminating section discussing migration from Sylhet the book is simply bad sociology. One outcome of the publication of The New East End has been that more general readers (including both the BNP and the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality) have been able to draw whatever conclusions from the book suit their own agendas.

`There is a little bit more than just delivering the stuff': Policy, pedagogy and the education of Gypsy/Traveller children

Cudworth, D. — 2008-07-28

Concerns over the underachievement of Gypsy/Traveller children in the UK educational system, and a commitment to improve provision for these children, are something that has been acknowledged across a series of government reports and other documents over the last forty years. Yet despite this commitment, and the rhetoric around equality of opportunity and inclusion in which `Every Child Matters', children from Gypsy/Traveller communities continue to experience discrimination and remain the worst achieving minority group in the UK schooling system. This article argues that with the official National Curriculum of most schools often failing to recognize the particular cultures of Gypsy/Traveller children, there does seem to be a mismatch between policy and practice wherein some children matter more than others. With a school system based on attendance and high standards, defined in certain kinds of ways which lead to achievement in league tables, thus securing the roll base and demand for that school, school provision becomes organized around certain kinds of needs rather than the needs of all. Despite improvements in the educational participation and successes of Gypsy/Traveller children in some schools, the article argues that there is still a long way to go. In order to investigate how policy is being `played out' in schools and the extent to which practice may be denying equality of opportunity for all children, this article draws on interview material with primary teachers and education support staff in East London, and an ethnographic study in a school with a significant proportion of Gypsy/Traveller children on roll. Finally, the article suggests ways in which these investigations may be used in policy terms, in order to meet the needs of and include children from these communities so that they are able to meet their full potential and enjoy their right to an education.

The `Celtic Lion' and social policy: Some thoughts on the SNP and social welfare

Mooney, G., Scott, G., Mulvey, G. — 2008-07-28

In May 2007 the Scottish National Party emerged as the largest single party in the Scottish Parliament and with contingent support from the Greens it now forms a minority Scottish government. This paper considers the ways in which social policy making is being approached by the SNP and the extent to which this represents divergence from the policies of the previous New Labour—Liberal Democrat administration. The paper argues that while the SNP has no tradition of policy making in the field of social welfare there are already some signs emerging of the direction it is likely to follow. Tensions between economic development and social justice agendas are highlighted with a concern that social justice could take even more of a second place than it has in the recent past. Finally it is argued that a neo-liberal vision of Scotland informs current as well as past policy making and explains why the promotion of social justice is more than likely to take second place to the pursuit of economic growth, reflected in the SNP's goal of transforming Scotland as a `Celtic Lion' economy.

Review: Coming to Care: The Work and Family Lives of Workers Caring for Vulnerable Children Julia Brannen, June Statham, Ann Mooney and Michaela Brockmann: Policy Press, Bristol, 2007, 256pp, ISBN 978--1--86134--850--0, {pound}60.00 (hbk)

Richardson, V. — 2008-07-28

Review: Understanding Health and Social Care Jon Glasby: Policy Press, Bristol, 2007, 202pp, ISBN 978--1--86134--910--1, {pound}18.99 (pbk)

Aldred, R. — 2008-07-28

Review: Social Issues in Television Fiction Lesley Henderson: Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2007, 200pp, ISBN 978--0--7486--2532--1, {pound}16.99 (pbk)

Burridge, J. — 2008-07-28

Review: The Other Invisible Hand: Delivering Public Services through Choice and Competition Julian Le Grand: Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2007, 208pp, ISBN 978--0--6911--2936--5, {pound}14.95

Page, R. M. — 2008-07-28

Review: The Politics of Civil Society: Neoliberalism or Social Left? Frederick Powell: Policy Press, Bristol, 2007, 264pp, ISBN 978--1--86134--764--0, {pound}22.99 (pbk)

Curtin, C. — 2008-07-28

Review: Securing an Urban Renaissance: Crime, Community and British Urban Policy Rowland Atkinson and Gesa Helms (eds): Policy Press, Bristol, 2007, 292pp, ISBN 978--1--86134--814--2, {pound}22.99 (pbk)

Law, A. — 2008-07-28

Precautionary tales: Exploring the obstacles to debating the primary prevention of breast cancer

Potts, L., Dixey, R., Nettleton, S. — 2008-04-02

Incidence of breast cancer is rising globally, with little attention paid by government health planners to upstream causal factors. The research reported here used qualitative methods to explore the usefulness of creating opportunities for dialogue between various `communities of interest' - laypeople, health activists, environmentalists, scientists, health professionals and politicians - concerned about possible environmental factors in breast cancer aetiology. The paper reports discussion of some of the methodological difficulties in investigating the causes of breast cancer, what constitutes `evidence' and the perceived obstacles to adopting a precautionary approach to the prevention of breast cancer. The key difference between viewpoints concerns the appropriate evidence for - and response to - risk. We have argued that these differences are both ideological and epistemological; we are concerned here to identify how a tripartite categorization of positions is articulated through participants' narrative accounts and arguments about how science contributes to the basis for policy making.

Contracting out employment services to the third and private sectors: A critique

Davies, S. — 2008-04-02

As part of its welfare reform strategy, the government has made increasing use of the private and third sector in the provision of employment-related services. Ministers claim that this results in better service for users and better value for money for the taxpayer. This article examines these claims for third and private sector superiority in service provision and, using the government's own evaluative reports, challenges this view. The article contends that there is little evidence to support the government's case for the wholesale embrace of contracting out employment services. Based on reviewing experience of previous projects, it argues that given the same flexibilities and financing routinely offered to contractors, in-house provision would match or surpass contractor performance.

Can the community construct knowledge to shape services in the local state? A case study

Callaghan, G., Wistow, G. — 2008-04-02

The Labour government's stated commitment to shifting the balance of power to communities, citizens and users has been expressed in numerous initiatives to promote participatory governance in the local state. In this context achieving reliable ways of learning about participants' views becomes critical. A prime concern then becomes what constitutes `community knowledge' and how that knowledge can be developed. This article considers some issues that arise for communities and policy makers in reshaping local services through community involvement in governance. It draws out some implications of theoretical understandings of community, social capital and participation for the practice of community involvement and raises questions about the nature, and the potential, of community knowledge to exercise influence.

Organizational innovation in the Swedish welfare state

Meeuwisse, A. — 2008-04-02

Drawing on Charles Tilly's theory of social categorization, this article deals with how some client-governed organizations in Sweden strive to evade the phenomenon of stigmatizing social categorization, and consequently the creation of durable inequality. First, the historical role played by voluntary organizations in defining and treating social problems is outlined. The key notion here is 'categorization'. Second, the paper describes how the emerging client organizations struggled to redefine social categories, claiming that the real social problems were social inequality and social exclusion. Third, the example of Basta Co-operative is employed in order to discuss Tilly's notion that organizational innovation is one way to reduce durable inequality. The account of Basta Co-operative is based on a qualitative case study. Basta is a user-driven co-operative with the aim of assisting people with drug problems. The foundation of rehabilitation is self-help and user-controlled enterprise.

Good, bad, thwarted or addicted? Discourses of substance-using mothers

Reid, C., Greaves, L., Poole, N. — 2008-04-02

In this paper we examined discourses of mothers who use substances. Focus groups were conducted at two different treatment programmes with diverse women who identified as mothers challenged by substance use. Real scenarios were presented to the participants and feedback was sought about how the women within the scenarios managed their situations and the actions taken by legal, media, and health authorities. Through the use of three lenses - rights, risks, and evidence - we identified four major discourses in the participants' talk. The `good mother', `bad mother', `thwarted mother' and `addicted mother' discourses revealed the multiple and at times contradictory ways the women made sense of their lives. Within all of the discourses the mother-child bond and the importance of providing necessary supports to mothers with substance-use problems were central. The women's discourses highlighted the challenges of negotiating the prevailing attitudes, practices and stigmas of being a substance-using mother while trying to do the right thing for their children.

Helping Labour to win again? Anthony Giddens' programme for the new prime minister

Garrett, P. M. — 2008-04-02

In Over to You, Mr Brown: How Labour Can Win Again Anthony Giddens puts in place a new programme for the first administration of the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. In this short, critical commentary it is argued that the book is reflective of a project which is rooted in a desire to further deepen neo-liberal policies and practices.

Review: Social Policy Review 19: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2007: Karen Clarke, Tony Maltby and Patricia Kennett (eds) Policy Press, Bristol, 2007, 348pp, ISBN 978-1-86134-941-5, {pound}60.00 (hbk)

Luckock, B. — 2008-04-02

Review: See You in Court: A Social Worker's Guide to Presenting Evidence in Care Proceedings: Lynn Davis Jessica Kingsley, London, 2007, 176pp, ISBN 978-1-84310-547-3, {pound}16.99 (pbk)

Preston-Shoot, M. — 2008-04-02

Review: Young Men in Prison: Surviving and Adapting to Life Inside: Joel Harvey Willan, Cullompton, 2007, 240pp, ISBN 978-1-84392-203-2, {pound}35 (hbk)

Davies, P. — 2008-04-02

Review: Roads to Post-Fordism: Labour Markets and Social Structures in Europe: Max Koch Ashgate, Aldershot, 2006, 234pp, ISBN 0754643085, {pound}50 (hbk)

Haan, M. — 2008-04-02

Review: Inventing Fear of Crime: Murray Lee Willan, Uffculme, 2007, 237pp, ISBN 1-84392-174-X, {pound}22.00

Smith, R. — 2008-04-02

Review: Social Work: A Companion to Learning: Mark Lymbery and Karen Postle (eds) SAGE Publications, London, 2007, 302pp, ISBN 978-1-4129-2002-5, {pound}20.99 (pbk)

Davies, L. — 2008-04-02

Childcare, choice and social class: Caring for young children in the UK

Vincent, C., Braun, A., Ball, S. J . — 2007-12-19

This paper draws on the results of two qualitative research projects examining parental engagements with the childcare market in the UK. Both projects are located in the same two London localities. One project focuses on professional middle class parents, and the other on working class families, and we discuss the key importance of social class in shaping parents' differential engagement with the childcare market, and their understandings of the role childcare plays in their children's lives. We identify and discuss the different `circuits' of care available to and used by families living physically close to each other, but in social class terms living in different worlds. We also consider parents' relationships with carers, and their social networks. We conclude that, in order to fully understand childcare policies and practices and families' experiences of care, an analysis which encompasses social class and the workings of the childcare market is needed.

Organizing homeless people: Exploring the emergence of a user organization in Denmark

Anker, J. — 2007-12-19

People who are homeless belong to some of the most vulnerable, dispersed and disorganized groups in welfare societies. Yet in 2001, a national interest organization of homeless people was formed for the first time in Denmark. This article identifies the processes that facilitated the formation of the organization. It focuses on the importance of ideological and institutional conditions and changes, and it stresses the importance of alliances between progressive actors in the field and in the political-administrative system, in addition to the presence of dedicated activists among people who are or have been homeless. The analysis may thus serve as a case of inspiration for activists and professionals who want to improve homeless people's opportunities for participation in other national settings.

Neo-coporatist governance of homeless services in Dublin: Reconceptualization, incorporation and exlusion

Phelan, E., Norris, M. — 2007-12-19

This article examines neo-corporatist arrangements for governance of homeless services in Dublin, which are modelled on parallel arrangements for the negotiation of economic and social policy nationally. It reveals that these two policy making structures have achieved similar outcomes - policies which are neo-liberal in orientation, but not entirely so. Achieving the aims of this unusual marriage of corporatism and neo-liberalism necessitated the redefinition of the causes of and solutions to homelessness from the structuralist to the individualist and the incorporation of formerly independent third sector service providers into the influence of the state. This process has been opposed by some third sector groups but supported by others who see opportunities in these reforms for their organizations. The outcomes of this process have been largely positive - levels of homelessness have fallen for instance - but not entirely so. Lack of attention to tackling the structural causes of homelessness has led to under provision of long-term accommodation for homeless people, while overemphasis on its individual causes and consequently on controlling the behaviour of service users has excluded some `challenging' clients from access to services.

The UK's gamete donor `crisis' - a critical analysis

Blyth, E., Frith, L. — 2007-12-19

Since April 2005, individuals donating sperm, eggs or embryos for the treatment of others in the UK have been required to agree to the disclosure of their identity to any child conceived as a result of their donation on reaching the age of 18. The main arguments advanced against the removal of donor anonymity are: first, it is responsible for a dramatic decline in the number of donors; second, it causes particular problems for donors in egg sharing programmes; and third, that it will increase the unwillingness of parents of donor-conceived children to tell their children about their conception. This paper analyses these arguments and points to flaws in both the evidential base and the argumentative strategies of these claims. The authors argue for a proactive approach to donor recruitment that reflects the contemporary context for the provision of donor conception services in the UK.

Review: Gender, the State, and Social Reproduction: Household Insecurity in Neo-Liberal Times Kate Bezanson University of Toronto, Toronto, 2006, 420pp, ISBN 0802090656, {pound}35.00 (cloth)

Caragata, L. — 2007-12-19

Review: Revitalising Communities in a Globalising World Lena Dominelli (ed.) Ashgate, Aldershot and Burlington, 2007, 466pp, ISBN 978-0-7546-4498-9, {pound}60 (hbk)

Khoo, S.-m. — 2007-12-19

Review: Poverty in Scotland 2007 John H. McKendrick, Gerry Mooney, John Dickie and Peter Kelly (eds) CPAG (Child Poverty Action Group), London, 2007, 182pp, ISBN 978-1-901698-97-8, {pound}11.00 (pbk)

Macpherson, S. — 2007-12-19

Review: Refugee Children in the UK Jill Rutter Open University Press, Maidenhead, 2006, 236pp, ISBN 0-335-21373-1, {pound}20.99 (pbk)

Christie, A. — 2007-12-19

Review: Transforming Youth Justice: Occupational Identity and Cultural Change Anna Souhami Willan Publishing, Uffculme, 2007, 256pp, ISBN-10: 1-843921-93-6, ISBN-13: 978-1-84392-193-6, {pound}40.00

Kilkelly, U. — 2007-12-19

Review: The Vertigo of Late Modernity Jock Young SAGE, London, 2007, 231pp, ISBN 978-1-4129-3564-6, {pound}21.99 (pbk)

Mooney, G. — 2007-12-19

Sure Start and the `re-authorization' of Section 47 child protection practices

Broadhurst, K., Mason, C., Grover, C. — 2007-10-11

In a recent Sure Start evaluation report (Barnes et al. 2006) it was argued that an increase in Section 47 enquiries and registrations on the Child Protection Register in Sure Start Local Programme Areas was an achievement, reflecting better and/or earlier identification of need and enhanced collaboration between agencies to identify and support families. This paper critically engages with these conclusions, arguing that they are in danger of encouraging practices at a discursive and practical level that in many ways represent a retrograde step back to child protection policies that predominated in the pre-Messages from Research (Department of Health 1995) period. In this sense, it is argued that the evaluation report represents the potential re-authorization of Section 47 work through its endorsement of practices skewed towards investigative child protection. The paper concludes that if a broader range of agencies are drawn into child welfare's more forensic practices, this may exacerbate the social exclusion of poorer working class communities and women, ignoring the socio-economic determinants of child `abuse'.

Transgendering care: Practices of care within transgender communities

Hines, S. — 2007-10-11

This paper examines practices of care within transgender support and self-help groups. Its aim is to widen the focus of work into practices and meanings of care by bringing an under-researched social group to the analysis of caring practices. The paper draws on qualitative research data to substantively explore transgender practices of care in relation to support groups and self-help organizations. Findings indicate that care is identified as a key value within transgender movements and education is articulated as an `ethic of care'. Critiques are brought to bear on medical understandings and systems of care, and transgender communities develop distinct practices of care based on notions of `shared understanding' and `giving back' to communities, which fill the gaps left by professional care services. Yet involvement in transgender communities is divergently situated in relation to politics of transgender identity and visibility. In conclusion I suggest that an analysis of transgender practices of care is not only important in relation to issues of social inclusion, citizenship and welfare provision, but is key to sociological understandings of the diversity of shifting practices of identity, intimacy and care in contemporary society.

Contradictions in municipal services in contemporary South Africa: Disciplinary commodification and self-disconnections

Ruiters, G. — 2007-10-11

In South Africa, the management of municipal services has been an ongoing dilemma for the new government because of what it terms `a culture' of non-payment among users. As a result, prepayment has been widely implemented in electricity, telephone and, more recently, water services. Hailed as the solution to the non-payment problem, but also as a new social `paradigm' for service delivery, prepayment has been made more palatable by the introduction of free basic water and electricity. This paper analyses the state's attempt to impose prepayment in order to regulate, manage and re-educate the poor in South Africa into a `payment culture'. These social control processes, however, have been resisted; they provide a window on to the ambiguities of neo-liberal social development and the re-assertion of class power in South Africa through the engineering of a market-based disciplinary society. The paper concludes that the analysis of neo-liberal class power in South Africa needs to take account of the reciprocal dynamics of the state and popular responses. Prepaid service delivery has only to a limited extent relieved absolute poverty, but more generally has become linked to negative outcomes such as intermittent services and increased household stresses. The article draws on state documents, local municipal records and case studies of prepayment.

`Beyond silent organizations': A reflection of the UK Chinese people and their community organizations

Kwan Chan, C., Cole, B., Bowpitt, G. — 2007-10-11

The UK Chinese community has long been perceived to have a high degree of solidarity and self-sufficiency. On the other hand, it is argued that the sense of community and mutual help among Chinese people has been weakened by their competitive approach to business. Based on findings from an ESRC-funded national study of the UK Chinese people's help-seeking behaviour, this study found that Chinese people, both where their population is dispersed and where it is concentrated, actively formed organizations to meet their social and cultural needs. However, Chinese organizations were weakened by inadequate resources and the diverse needs of different Chinese groups. Thus, the UK Chinese people were neither self-sufficient nor isolated from each other. The experiences of Chinese organizations further show that in spite of government expectations of community organizations, state input has been mainly in terms of regulations and control. Without financial support, UK Chinese organizations will slip from being weak organizations into `silent' ones.

The Freud Report on the future of welfare to work: Some critical reflections

Grover, C. — 2007-10-11

In December 2006 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced a review of welfare to work policies in Britain. This was led by the investment banker, David Freud who reported in March 2007. This paper examines the report, particularly focusing upon broad issues — relationships between unemployment, worklessness and capitalism and gender issues — that are central to understanding the report's analysis and recommendations. It is argued that the report's general thrust dovetails neatly with New Labour's fixation with supply-side economics and its approach to exclusion that suggests paid work is the mark of the responsible and included individual, an approach that draws upon and reproduces capitalist and patriarchal patterns and structures of paid work.

Deconstructing `problem' researchers and `problem' families: A rejoinder to Garrett

Nixon, J. — 2007-10-11

In a recent article in this journal Paul Michael Garrett presents an ill-informed, selective and distorted view of our work on Intensive Family Support Projects (IFSPs) which provide specialist and intensive support to families at risk of eviction. In constructing a critique of IFSPs Garrett draws extensively on interim study findings mistakenly concluding that we are `docile' researchers lacking in critical reflexivity. In this response, we first challenge the way in which he crudely constructs IFSPs as state disciplinary mechanisms reflecting a lack of a nuanced understanding of the multiplicity of ways in which the `conduct of conduct' is performed. Secondly, we explore his use of a `disciplining gaze' to undermine the validity of both the study findings and our role as independent researchers. Finally, reflecting some of the contradictions inherent in the formation of women as gendered welfare subjects we strongly refute the allegation that our approach was gender blind and outline the various ways in which lone parent women resisted being constructed as the `anti-social other'.

More sinned against than sinbin? The forgetfulness of critical social policy?

Bannister, J., Hill, M., Scott, S. — 2007-10-11

`Sinbin' research and the `lives of others': A rejoinder in an emerging and necessary debate

Garrett, P. M. — 2007-10-11

Review: {square} Enhancing Social Work Management: Theory and Best Practice from the UK and USA: Jane Aldgate, Lynne Healy, Barris Malcolm, Barbara Pine, Wendy Rose and Janet Seden (eds) Jessica Kingsley, London, 2007, 320pp, ISBN 978843105152, {pound}22.99 (pbk)

McGrath, M. — 2007-10-11

Review: {square} The Price of Sex: Prostitution, Policy and Society: Belinda Brooks-Gordon Cullompton, Willan Publishing, 2006, 292pp, ISBN-10: 1 843920 87 5, ISBN-13: 978 1 84392 087 8, {pound}22.00 (pbk)

Suffee, R. — 2007-10-11

Review: {square} Creating Citizen-Consumers: Changing Publics and Changing Public Services: J. Clarke, J. Newman, N. Smith, E. Vidler and L. Westmarland SAGE, London, 2007, 183pp, ISBN 978 1 4129 2134 3, {pound}21.99

Garrett, P. M. — 2007-10-11

Review: {square} Crossing the Line: Vagrancy and Social Displacement in Russia: Svetlana Stephenson Ashgate, Aldershot and Burlington, 2006, ISBN 0 7546 1813 7, 189pp, {pound}50 (hbk)

Ryan, K. — 2007-10-11

Review: {square} The Futures of Old Age: John A. Vincent, Chris R. Phillipson and Murna Downs (eds) SAGE, London, 2006, 255pp, ISBN-10: 1412901081, ISBN-13: 978 1412901086, {pound}19.99 (pbk)

Bryson, L. — 2007-10-11

Review: {square} The State of Feminist Social Work: Vicky White Routledge, London, 2006, 173pp, ISBN-10: 0 415 32844 6

Sweeney, L.-A. — 2007-10-11

Annual Index: Volume 27 . 2007

2007-10-11