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© British Association of Social Workers

Professionals in the Firing Line

RICHARD BRYANT

Richard Bryant graduated from Hull University in 1967 and then did research into community work at York University. Since 1970 he has been a lecturer in the Department of Social Administration and Social Work, Glasgow University

Summary

The article describes the impact of the 1972 miners strike upon the local social and youth workers in the Ayrshire mining village of Auchinleck and examines how some of the experiences of the strike may have implications for community development programmes which are currently being promoted in this and other areas.

While a number of factors disposed the social and youth workers in the village to identify positively with the miners struggle they encountered, particularly during the early weeks of the strike, considerable suspicion and hostility from the miners on the local strike committee. The front line workers found themselves being labelled as part of the 'system' with which the miners were in conflict It is suggested that the sharply polarized nature of the confrontation between the miners and the central government, coupled with the remedial image of the social and youth services were the central forces in creating this situation. The problem the social and youth workers experienced in establishng a positive and promotional identity, in the eyes of the miners, is discussed in relation to community development programmes. It is argued that the status of social and youth workers as government employees may, especially in conflict situations which involve the central government, place limitations upon their ability to negotiate collaborative relationships with local community groups


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