Social entrepreneurship and its implications for social work: Preliminary findings of research into business and social sector relationships in Newcastle and the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia

This paper explores two key questions: (1) What ideas are embodied in the concept of social entrepreneurship and how do these ideas resonate with or differ from more traditional notions of social work practice? (2) Should social work educators engage in teaching the theory and practice of social entrepreneurship and, if so, how might this be developed? In addressing these questions, the authors focus on an initiative arising from current research being undertaken jointly between the Department of Social Work at the University of Newcastle and the Newcastle and Hunter Chamber of Business. (Newcastle is a large regional centre on the east coast of New South Wales, Australia.) The research explores the nature of business and social sector relationships at the local level. The particular initiative arising from the networks established through business research is to develop short courses in social entrepreneurship in partnership with the University's Graduate School of Business. As social work educators contributing to social entrepreneurship education programmes in partnership with business educators, our challenge is to ensure that the social mission of social entrepreneurship remains central and its implications are fully understood and explored.