Social Work in Northern Ireland
Social Work in Northern Ireland

Author: Heenan, Deirdre

Publisher: Policy Press

Published: 2011-03-23

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1847423329

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Over the past 40 years, social work in Northern Ireland has been responsive to a number of changing contexts and environments. Throughout 'the Troubles,' social workers had to develop methods of ensuring services were delivered in spite of the surrounding violence and civil disturbance. At the same time, they developed imaginative and creative new services in response to needs and demands. This book outlines the historical development of social work in Northern Ireland, looking at what has been achieved and analyzing the challenges for the future. It considers the role of social work in a society emerging from conflict, facing demographic, technological, and economic changes. Social work in Northern Ireland has been dismissed by policy makers and academics as unique, special, or different, and therefore not worthy of attention. This book demonstrates that international audiences have much to learn from the social work response to a changing political landscape.

Direct rule and the governance of Northern Ireland
Direct rule and the governance of Northern Ireland

Author: Derek Birrell

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Published: 2013-07-19

Total Pages: 376

ISBN-13: 1847797172

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This is the first comprehensive study of direct rule as the system of governance which operated in Northern Ireland for most of the period between 1972 and 2007. The major institutions of governance are described and examined in detail, including the often neglected sectors of the role of the Westminster parliament, the civil service, local government, quangos, ombudsmen offices, cross-border structures and the public expenditure process. The book explains how the complex system covering transferred, reserved and excepted functions worked and provided viable governance despite political violence, constitutional conflict and political party disagreements. In addition, a comparison is drawn between direct rule and devolution, analysing both the positive and negative impact of direct rule, as well as identifying where there has been minimal divergence in processes and outcomes. It will prove an invaluable reference source on direct rule and provide a comparative basis for assessing devolution for students of public administration, government, politics, public policy and devolution.