Conservative leader David Cameron has outlined his plans for a ‘big society’ to replace the ‘big state’. According to the Guardian, the plans would involve a special bank to fund “grassroots social entrepreneurs” and an “army” of full time professional community organisers.
Is it just me, or do those community organisers not sound a bit like old fashioned community development social workers?
The Times has more, saying Cameron’s plan is based on the ‘compassionate conservatism’ of George W Bush. Oh dear, I haven’t heard too many people holding forth on the success of Bush’s community policies, but then maybe I’ve been looking in the wrong places.
Meanwhile, Madeleine Bunting points out that there’s not much money available for all these plans and that we’re expected to make them happen by joining community groups:
All this do-gooding community involvement is much like apple pie. Delicious in principle, but hard to find the time to actually make in the rush of everyday life.
I’m afraid the Tory track record on social care isn’t good – not saying Labours has been much better lately. My own son has complex care needs and both parties have controlled our Local Authority recently – and we’ve been fighting the same battles with both at officer level. The mindset of Social Services employees these days seems to be a long way from actual service provision, unless it’s safeguarding.