The politics of practice

This chapter explores the impact of panopticism and neoliberal politics on public services for children and families in the United Kingdom ( Foucault, 1977 ). Panopticism is described by Foucault as ‘a state of conscious and permanent visibility’ used to exert power by those in power (1977, p.201). The chapter will examine how the concept of the panopticon and panopticism is utilised by government in relation to state provided infant mental health services in the UK. In addition, the chapter will investigate the suggestion that neoliberal perspectives of families not only inform the types of services provided, but also shape the attitudes, perceptions and practices of practitioners towards the children and families they support. Neoliberal political ideology has arguably provided the policy context for successive United Kingdom governments since the Thatcher Conservative administration took power in 1978 to the present-day incumbents (Williams, 2021). Neoliberal governments aim to reduce the role of the state in their citizens lives in economic activity and social needs ( Foucault, 1977 ; Davies, 2014; Rutar, 2023). The chapter will conclude by discussing some potential implications for children and families of a neoliberal government&s;s drive to reduce the size of the state ( Foucault, 1977 ; Rutar, 2023).