Skilling up a Workforce in Neoliberal times: A case study of professional learning in Neighbourhood Houses in Australia.

Neighbourhood Houses in Australia are community place-based organisations that provide education, support services, and develop responses to local issues with local communities. Since their inception in the 1970’s the sector has grown to more than 1000 houses across Australia. The practices within Neighbourhood Houses are informed by community development. Yet knowledge, understanding and practices of community development vary across the workforce. In 2019, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria commenced a program of professional learning for the workforce. This paper draws on data from an impact evaluation study of the professional learning program and three case studies of professional learning programs in Neighbourhood Houses. It examines the benefits and barriers to embedding a professional learning program in community development within the Neighbourhood House sector workforce. We use practice theory to examine the tensions and contradictions inherent in delivering a sector wide professional learning program in neoliberal times of managerialism and accountability in community based, not-for-profit organisations. The contradictions of practice will resonate with organisations seeking to implement a professional learning program across a broad range of human service organisations such as settlement houses, human services and community education settings. We claim most not-for-profit workforces in the various community-based sectors are also impacted by the discursive practices of neoliberalism such as contractual arrangements and the adoption of business practices to comply with funding requirements. These compliance requirements contrast with the philosophy and practices of community development and have the potential to impact on professional learning and the practices within these settings.