Representations and identities of social workers as street-level bureaucrats and situated agents

Journal title SOCIOLOGIA E RICERCA SOCIALE
Author/s Laura Cataldi, Valeria Cappellato
Publishing Year 2020 Issue 2020/121
Language Italian Pages 24 P. 90-113 File size 249 KB
DOI 10.3280/SR2020-121005
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This paper explores the discretion issue of social workers as street-level bu-reaucrats and situated agents. From the analysis of the interviews, administered in public services of a metropolitan area of Northern Italy, the lack of resources has emerged as a dilemma for social workers, as well as the prime mover of their coping strategies, and rationing. Social workers identify as citizen-agents, responsible users of discretion to help citizen users. This narrative seems to be in contrast with a widespread policy alienation, and with the renunciation of the full exercise of agency, in terms of voice and political advocacy. These aspects call for a reflection on their being policy makers.

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Laura Cataldi, Valeria Cappellato, Rappresentazioni e identità degli operatori sociali come street-level bureaucrats e situated agents in "SOCIOLOGIA E RICERCA SOCIALE " 121/2020, pp 90-113, DOI: 10.3280/SR2020-121005