Abstract: Abstract: With the advancement of public service reforms, the practice of government purchasing social work services from social work institutions has moved a step forward. The working mechanism for government purchasing social work services, as is practiced in Shenzhen, has produced positive effects. It is made up of institutionalized funding method, competitionbased contractual relationship and thirdparty evaluation. However, in the national context where a social service purchase law is expected, the working mechanism of government purchasing social services is neither perfect nor transparent. It is necessary to gradually improve the policies and laws related to social work services, establish the financial support system concerning purchase, optimize the operational process, enhance intersector collaboration to integrate resources, broaden the area where social service organizations participate in public social services, and strengthen the construction of organizations’ credibility and their evaluation and supervision.

Key words: government purchasing social work services, social work organization, thirdparty evaluation