In the early-1980s, the ten million people of retirement age in the UK figured prominently among the disadvantaged and deprived. They were heavily over-represented in sub-standard housing and among those in most need of support from the personal social services. One form of social provision which gained rapidly in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s was sheltered housing. It was seen to combine housing with care; provided support while fostering independence; and gave scope for flexibility and experimentation in adapting schemes to local circumstances. By the late 1970s hundreds of schemes were administered, and they were occupied by half a million elderly tenants. Sheltered housing was called ‘the greatest breakthrough in the housing scene since the war’. Extravagant expectations were aroused, and sheltered housing was regarded by some as the solution to all manner of complex problems. Taking the country as a whole, however, relatively little was known about the numbers of schemes and where they were located; who owned them and how they were managed; the aims and assumptions of those who provided or advocated sheltered housing; how the schemes functioned and whether they achieved what they were set up to do; the role, experience and attitudes of wardens; what kinds of people lived in sheltered housing, their history, and how they became tenants; their assessment of the scheme; and much else. The Leeds study, on which this book is based, originally published in 1983, was the most comprehensive and detailed to have been conducted into sheltered housing. It evoked widespread interest in Britain and abroad at the time. It sought to answer some of the important questions about the growth and proliferation of sheltered housing, to evaluate sheltered housing from different points of view – including those of tenants, and to consider the scope for future development. While sheltered housing is the focal topic of the book it should be viewed in the broader context of social policy, administration, professional practice and client experience. The book describes in detail an innovatory and evolving form of social provision and, in doing so, illuminates the operation and impact of policy in action at several levels – from the policy-maker to the consumer, from the organisation of policy to its object. There was significant evidence from the study that many tenants were provided with a service which was not the one they sought, or even needed, but they were given what the agency happened to have – or made – available. Among other topics, the book examines sheltered housing as a response to, or reflection of, myths and prejudices about ageing. It discusses whether elderly people should be compelled to move from familiar surroundings late in life – and how they cope when they do move. The usefulness or otherwise of alarm systems is assessed – with conclusions that throw considerable doubt on their value or reliability. The evolution and modifications taking place in sheltered housing are reported on and the scope for future initiatives is discussed.

In the early-1980s, the ten million people of retirement age in the UK figured prominently among the disadvantaged and deprived. They were heavily over-represented in sub-standard housing and among those in most need of support from the personal social services. One form of social provision which gained rapidly in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s was sheltered housing. It was seen to combine housing with care; provided support while fostering independence; and gave scope for flexibility and experimentation in adapting schemes to local circumstances. By the late 1970s hundreds of schemes were administered, and they were occupied by half a million elderly tenants. Sheltered housing was called 'the greatest breakthrough in the housing scene since the war'. Extravagant expectations were aroused, and sheltered housing was regarded by some as the solution to all manner of complex problems. Taking the country as a whole, however, relatively little was known about the numbers of schemes and where they were located; who owned them and how they were managed; the aims and assumptions of those who provided or advocated sheltered housing; how the schemes functioned and whether they achieved what they were set up to do; the role, experience and attitudes of wardens; what kinds of people lived in sheltered housing, their history, and how they became tenants; their assessment of the scheme; and much else. The Leeds study, on which this book is based, originally published in 1983, was the most comprehensive and detailed to have been conducted into sheltered housing. It evoked widespread interest in Britain and abroad at the time. It sought to answer some of the important questions about the growth and proliferation of sheltered housing, to evaluate sheltered housing from different points of view - including those of tenants, and to consider the scope for future development. While sheltered housing is the focal topic of the book it should be viewed in the broader context of social policy, administration, professional practice and client experience. The book describes in detail an innovatory and evolving form of social provision and, in doing so, illuminates the operation and impact of policy in action at several levels - from the policy-maker to the consumer, from the organisation of policy to its object. There was significant evidence from the study that many tenants were provided with a service which was not the one they sought, or even needed, but they were given what the agency happened to have - or made - available. Among other topics, the book examines sheltered housing as a response to, or reflection of, myths and prejudices about ageing. It discusses whether elderly people should be compelled to move from familiar surroundings late in life - and how they cope when they do move. The usefulness or otherwise of alarm systems is assessed - with conclusions that throw considerable doubt on their value or reliability. The evolution and modifications taking place in sheltered housing are reported on and the scope for future initiatives is discussed.

This is the first work that systematically applies the comparative method to the study of social policy and administration. After a full discussion of this approach in the introduction, the book offers three authoritative national studies--France, Norway, Canada--each giving a rounded picture of social policy and administration in the particular country. Social needs, resources, and forms of social administration are related to the most significant social, demographic, economic, and political factors of the area in question. The authors trace the development of social policies and indicate the direction these policies are likely to take in the future. Comparisons between problems and solutions in all three countries, as well as in Great Britain and the United States, are made throughout. Part II contains comparative analyses of particular problems and of the different forms of social administration designed to deal with them. The problem approach is applied to five areas of social administration: social policy and social planning, social security, coordination, social policies and care for the aged and family policies. Examples are taken not only from the countries previously under study, but also from other Western nations with well-developed social service systems. A concluding chapter delineates the benefits of the comparative method as demonstrated in this volume, and outlines how the goals set forth in the introduction have been fulfilled. This unique and fascinating book will be of interest to a wide range of readers, especially those concerned with the study, the making, or the implementation and administration of social policy. It will serve as a stimulus for fresh interpretation and the re-evaluation of major social institutions here and abroad.

This is the first work that systematically applies the comparative method to the study of social policy and administration. After a full discussion of this approach in the introduction, the book offers three authoritative national studies--France, Norway, Canada--each giving a rounded picture of social policy and administration in the particular country. Social needs, resources, and forms of social administration are related to the most significant social, demographic, economic, and political factors of the area in question. The authors trace the development of social policies and indicate the direction these policies are likely to take in the future. Comparisons between problems and solutions in all three countries, as well as in Great Britain and the United States, are made throughout.

Part II contains comparative analyses of particular problems and of the different forms of social administration designed to deal with them. The problem approach is applied to five areas of social administration: social policy and social planning, social security, coordination, social policies and care for the aged and family policies. Examples are taken not only from the countries previously under study, but also from other Western nations with well-developed social service systems. A concluding chapter delineates the benefits of the comparative method as demonstrated in this volume, and outlines how the goals set forth in the introduction have been fulfilled.

This unique and fascinating book will be of interest to a wide range of readers, especially those concerned with the study, the making, or the implementation and administration of social policy. It will serve as a stimulus for fresh interpretation and the re-evaluation of major social institutions here and abroad.

"Barbara N. Rodgers" was a reader in social administration at the University of Manchester, England. She has been teaching comparative studies there for more than twenty years and has studied and published widely on the social services of Britain, Canada, France, and the USA. "John Greve" was Senior Lecturer in Social Administration at the University of Southampton, England. "John S. Morgan" was Dean of the School of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania. His books include Welfare and Wisdom.