THE ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT OF HUMAN SERVICE PRACTICE
Chapter 1
Trends in the environment
1. Developments such as NPM require HSOs to adopt a business-like approach, with a focus on outcomes and efficiency. However, critics of NPM contend that the approach does not take account of the particular attributes of HSOs and the different nature of human service work from other commercial endeavours. What is your view?
Typical HSOs operating in Australia
2. Can you categorise the various HSOs with which you are familiar in terms of whether they are government or non-government; for profit or not for profit; local (Queensland), statewide, national or international in their scope?
3. Search the internet for HSOs operating in your state (Queensland) and find examples of international, national, statewide and local organizations. Compare and contrast these organizations by investigating their funding sources, overall structure, number and type of staff and operational focus.
