A Social Work Perspective on Using Social Return on Investment (SROI) in Humanistic Social Care. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheung, Johnson Chun-Sing
• Is Part Of: Australian social work. Volume 70:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 491
• Page End: 499
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Social Venture -- Philanthropic Investment -- Performance Management -- Service Administration -- Social Impact Assessment -- Social Enterprise Development; Social service -- Periodicals; Social service -- Australia -- Periodicals; Social Work -- periodicals; Social Work -- Australia -- periodicals; Periodicals; 361.3
• DOI: 10.1080/0312407X.2016.1189583
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0312-407X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Service administrators and social workers are increasingly adopting business terminology in practice, including such terms as "social impact", "social capital", "social investing", "social accounting", "social benefits", and "social return on investment" (SROI). These concepts, especially SROI, must be examined for inconsistency with social work values. Clients must not be stigmatised, and their voices must be heard when this controversial measurement tool is used. A prudent mentality must accompany the application of business ideas to humanistic social care.