Abstract
The aim of the paper is to provide systematic overview of the changes in social work in labour offices from the perspective of social reform and labour policy (focusing upon changes in organization arrangements). It is argued that although social reform and labour offices reform are usually dealt with separately, in reality they are closely interconnected and that it has a substantial impact upon the nature of social work.
The paper is based upon analysis of documents and also ongoing qualitative research. The article focuses upon impact of these reforms on social work in labour offices and it is argued that social work has been suppressed in favour of administration and disbursement of material needs benefits.
It is shown that these negative effects have been caused by unprepared reform that has not been properly communicated with the stakeholders.