Policy Alienation in Frontline Social Work – A Study of Social Workers’ Responses to a Major Anticipated Social and Health Care Reform in Finland

Change in the policy and ideology governing social health care has been much debated Western welfare states, including Finland, where public sector witnessed a shift towards market managerial climate of austerity. These changes affect organisations as well individual workers. Social workers implement policies their daily work, are thus positioned between clients. This may expose them to feelings unease implementation certain policies. In this study, we apply alienation framework Tummers colleagues (2009. “Policy Alienation Public Professionals: Application new Management Context.” Review 11 (5): 685–706) analysing responses major reform prepared Finland 2015–2019. By applying problem-driven content analysis interview data, study how responded proposals for reform, two dimensions alienation, i.e. experiences meaninglessness powerlessness, were manifested. The findings suggest that is widespread among powerlessness common. experienced relation specific practices. They also viewed meaningless, it lacked socially relevant goals.