Title
Contracting social services in China : the case of the Integrated Family Services Centres in Guangzhou
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Social Work
Publication Date
8-16-2017
Volume
60
Issue
6
First Page
1343
Last Page
1357
Publisher
Sage Publications Ltd.
Keywords
Contracting services, Integrated Family Services Centres, NGO–government relationship, service evaluation, social work in China
Abstract
This article uses the Integrated Family Services Centres (IFSCs) as an example to illustrate the contractual relationship between the state and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the capacities of government officials to implement the contracting-out of services in China. The data from 12 focus groups in 2015 indicated that local governments treated IFSCs as foot soldiers by asking them to fulfil duties beyond their service contracts. Moreover, Guangzhou government’s fragmented service evaluation arrangements and workload-oriented criteria were unable to effectively assess the impact of social work practices. The study concludes that appropriate legislation is required to safeguard the rights of NGOs.
DOI
10.1177/0020872817725135
Print ISSN
00208728
E-ISSN
14617234
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2017 Sage Publications Ltd. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chan, C. K., & Lei, J. (2017). Contracting social services in China: The case of the Integrated Family Services Centres in Guangzhou. International Social Work, 60(6), 1343-1357. doi: 10.1177/0020872817725135
