Welfare conditionality, ethics and social care for older people in the UK: From civic rights to abandonment?

Carey, M (2021) Welfare conditionality, ethics and social care for older people in the UK: From civic rights to abandonment? British Journal of Social Work, 52 (06). pp. 3230-3246. ISSN 1468-263X

Text (word) conditionalityageinghope.docx - Accepted Version Download (74kB)

Abstract

Welfare systems are becoming ever more conditional, with access to state support increasingly rationed via a legion of legally-defined and financially-driven restrictions and rules. Civic protection and economic rights for older citizens within Western policy systems are subsequently diminishing and continue to give way to neoliberal discursive practices which prioritise welfare activation, autonomy, participation, asset-based yet precarious self-care, the aversion of health-centred risks and much higher levels of eligibility for support. This article looks at welfare conditionality and its relationship to older people, ethics and governance within social care. By using three examples of welfare conditional reforms from the UK, it is highlighted that strains typically persist between the altruistic components of some ethical frameworks and the everyday experiences of many older people. The relative gatekeeping powers of welfare professionals and expectations placed on family members and carers have also increased, especially upon older people with higher needs and who may lack economic and cultural capital. This is despite rhetorical policy-led claims of increasing choice and control, and allowing support to be more asset-based and personalised.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	This is a pre-copy-edited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in the British Journal of Social Work, following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version: [Carey, M. (2022). Welfare conditionality, ethics and social care for older people in the UK: From civic rights to abandonment?’ British Journal of Social Work, 52(5), 3230–3246] is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article/52/6/3230/6460193
Keywords:	welfare conditionality; older people; ethics; personalisation; asset-based care.
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Education and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Malcolm Carey
Date Deposited:	07 Nov 2022 12:05
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2022 12:05
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/3672

Actions (login required)

View Item