PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONAL

CHANGE PROCESSES IN HUMAN SERVICES

ORGANIZATIONS: THE EXPERIENCES OF ONE GROUP OF FRONTLINE

SOCIAL WORKERSVernell Jenkins

Lisa Locklear &

Denise Melton

BEFORE WE BEGIN… Each member of the class

will receive an “Organizational Change” BINGO card.

The BOLD words on each slide are the words you are trying to match on your card.

When you get three down or across, simply raise your hand to let us know you have achieved “BINGO.”

One of us will come around & give you a prize!

Let’s begin….

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT IN WHICH CHANGE WAS PURSUED This particular article highlights a

segment of a larger study This was a rapid and pervasive

organizational change Participation of front line social

workers in the organizational change process

The change experience, impacts on clinical programs/services and the impacts on front line social workers professionally and personally

WHY WAS CHANGE NECESSARY Changing the model of service delivery Concerns regarding the delivery of

programs and services in an Eastern Canadian province

Moving primarily social work services: child welfare, community living and youth corrections from a provincial government-governed model (provincial government department) to a community health-governed model (with a government appointed board of directors)

THEORY & SOCIAL WORK ETHICS THAT MAY SUPPORT THIS CHANGE Social Development

Theory: attempts to explain qualitative changes in the structure and framework of society that help the society better realize its aims and objectives

NASW Code of Ethics

2.01 Respect 3.09 Commitments

to Employers 4.01 Competence 4.05 Impairment

OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED

The social workers felt as if their input on the organizational change was not valued or heard by their leaders

Job responsibilities had changed due to legislation to changes that affected their job

Power struggle: Social workers employed over a year had input versus the social workers that were employed less than a year

WHAT WERE THE VICTORIES OF THIS CHANGE?

Front line social workers did not view any victories in regards to this organizational change; it simply was an administrative shift.

IMPACT ON THE INDIVIDUAL Opportunity to

participate was not genuine

Not feeling valued or involved in the process

Services to clients had not been well developed and lacked relevancy

MAIN IMPLICATIONS OF ANALYSIS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE & THE SOCIAL WORKERS ROLE

Main implication of change: the passing of the Canada Health and Social Transfer Regulations & key provincial documents that identified concerns

Social Workers Role: In this case study the role of front line social workers was not taken into account

CLOSING REMARKS Planning, organizing

and carrying out change process in human services organizations can be very challenging

Leaders may value participation in planned change; however, planned change also needs to be transparent

The information provided within this article could assist organizations considering change (rapid change) a better understanding in regards to areas they need to consider or take into account beforehand

REFERENCES Devine, M. (2010). Participation in

organizational change processes in human services organizations: the experiences of one group of frontline social workers. Administration in Social Work, (34) pgs. 114-134. DOI: 10.1080/03643101003608679

QUESTIONS….

THANK YOU!WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

VERNELL, LISA & DENISE