history of social care work

• The Poor laws 1838

  1. Highly organised administration for the relief of the poor for poor people who could not work or provide for themselves

• what is the workhouse system?


  Indoor relief. All bit the destitute were discouraged from its benefits. No understanding of poverty at the time. Workhouses were last resort . Very grim only functional
• The poor relief act in 1847


  there were 126 workhouses in Ireland. managned by board of guardians.People had to work for their keep in workhouses. during the famine years crisis arose due to overcrowding. Disease was rampant many people died
• outdoor relief


  Introduced to keep people in their homes. this act only applied to widows, orphans disabled people
• what happened for older people?


  After wh shut down, turned into residential homes, based on medical model. Barely any recognition of rights
• Reformatory schools 1858


  Voluntary agencies made reform schools,so they would be certified and receive funding. This was the statutory introduction for care for younger people involved with having committed an offence. Based on social risk model of care, put society before the needs of the child
• Magdalene laundries


  victims of abuse, some had children before marriage. Forced to work in the laundries.
• Mother and baby homes


  For unmarried mothers. Children were usually adopted. Some adoptions to America occured without mother's knowledge
• Industrial schools 1868


  Based on rescue model of care. To prevent strays from becoming criminals preying upon society and becoming a burden to it when it is forced to pay for his punishment
• Kennedy report 1970


  Requested by minister of education. Aim was to examine how the schools were operated and managed. Turning point in childcare policy and practice
• Findings of the Kennedy report


  said needed to implement developmental model of care instead of rescue model of care. Said childcare system should prevent family breakdown and children should only be put in care when necessary, said should get rid of instiutionalised care and replace with group homes that mimic normal family homes
• Changes brought by the kennedy report


  Closure of large institutions. Professional training started for care staff in Kilkenny, start of social care training. Shift from residential care to foster care. Recommendations about child care legislation being in one act – child care act 1991 

  Drop in the amount of children in residential care by 1989. In 1971 Healthboards were created with social workers on community care teams 
• Policy for the elderly

  1988- Years ahead, focuses on healthy ageing and practices becoming a norm. ‘Healthy ageing implies a focus on the maintenance of health through lifestyle choices and preventative measures