The second part of this book explores how the different political ideologies presented in the first part influence contemporary social work practice. Each chapter explores a different area of social work provision and encourages readers to think critically about the role undertaken by social workers and care professionals.

Since the creation of the welfare state after the Second World War, local authorities have consistently reorganised the way support is provided. Many factors have influenced these restructurings, including political ideology, child deaths, the media and the economic climate.

Historical context

The creation of the post-war welfare state in Britain was based on the principle of secure ‘cradle-to-grave’ care for all who required it. The Beveridge Report, published in 1942, identified the ‘five giant evils of society’: want, squalor, disease, idleness and ignorance. The author, William Beveridge, proposed that the development of a welfare state was necessary to eliminate these evils and, following the end of the Second World War, the newly elected Labour government introduced a number of laws in order to develop his proposals and form the welfare state:

• the Education Act 1944

• the Family Allowances Act 1945

• the National Health Service Act 1946

• the New Towns Act 1947

• the National Insurance Act 1948

• the National Assistance Act 1948.

In combination, it was hoped this legislation would ensure that education, health, care and adequate housing were provided to the whole population, alongside introducing measures to protect people financially during periods of unemployment. In addition, the Children Act 1948 established children's services as a separate provision, soon followed by the creation of local authority mental health departments.

The 1950s and 1960s are often described as a period of ‘social consensus’, with the social democratic welfare state operating to ensure security for the people of Britain and social work services for children, adults and mental health support provided separately (Alcock and May, 2014). However, reports began to indicate that inequality still existed, particularly in relation to the existence of poverty, which the welfare state had hoped and government had pledged to eliminate.