Neoliberalism, welfare state and social work practice in Finland

Abstract

This article seeks to draw upon the changes and consequences which have been experienced as a result of global neoliberal policy implementation. The use of privatisation and market in the delivery of social welfare services has implications for the transfer of resources, citizen choice and citizen duties away from the state to the citizen (Clarke and Newman 1997). This article is focused on these trends in Finland. In the article the authors illustrate the changes by using examples and cases from Finnish welfare services. The focus of the chapter is especially on children and family services.