Finally accountable? Social Work and the Community Investment Strategy

Abstract

This article examines and proposes a social work response to the Ministry of Social Development’s Community Investment Strategy social policy. Beddoe and Maidment’s (2009) critical intersections model is utilised for this purpose and critical reference is made to the Productivity Commission’s (2015) policy-framing report More Effective Social Services. The details of the Community Investment Strategy are discussed in relation to service user perspectives, critical social theory, social justice and the role of the social work profession. The resulting analysis highlights that, if left unchecked, the Community Investment Strategy may do harm to those it purports to help. In particular, the Strategy promotes the Ministry of Social Development’s agenda at the expense of those who need to access social services. The suggested social work response is actively anti-oppressive in promoting social justice and placing the service user at the centre of social work practice.