Tough love: Social work, social exclusion and the third way

This article argues that New Labour's priorities for social inclusion throu gh employment, and for strenthening civil society, have relegated public-se ctor social work to a limited role in assessing and managing risks. However , as failures in the government's top-down, regulatory approach emerge, the re will be new opportunities for a broader-based version of the profession to contribute to a more progressive programme.