Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.This research project examined three assistant roles in different parts of the public services: the teaching assistant in education; the social work assistant in social care and the healthcare assistant in health care. While central to the process of workforce restructuring in the context of public service 'modernisation', it was suggested that the assistant role had, nonetheless, been subject to relative neglect by policymakers and researchers. Such neglect prompted an exploration of the nature and consequences of these roles. In particular, whether they assumed a similar form across the public services, suggesting a common core, or differed within and between sub-sectors, implying some sensitivity to context. The research aimed to address two sets of questions. The first revolved around the nature of the assistant role, including entry, performance and management: what kind of people became assistants and how did they enter the role? What tasks did assistants undertake and to what extent did the role challenge traditional job boundaries? How were assistants treated in terms of reward, involvement, training and development? The second set related to the consequences of the role for different stakeholders (assistants, professionals and service users): was this a 'high quality' job for assistants, with stimulating work and career opportunities or a 'poor quality' role picking up routine work, with few prospects? Was the assistant role a chance to unload 'unnecessary' burdens so allowing professionals to concentrate on 'core' activities or did it represent an additional responsibility and a threat to professional identity? For service users, was the assistant seen as a more accessible and less intimidating service provider, or, since not a professional, viewed as a 'second best' option? Survey and interview data were collected from two local education authorities (covering five primary...