Improving partnership working between health and social care agencies has long been a feature of government policy but has recently gained increased impetus as a result of New Labour's commitment to joined-up government. This book provides a detailed but accessible introduction to policy and practice at the interface between health and social care. Drawing on key research, government policies and real-life case studies, the book assists health and social care professionals to work more effectively together in order to improve services for users and carers. The health and social care divide: explains why partnerships are important and what helps or hinders partnership working; reviews the legal and policy framework, providing a chronological overview and placing current initiatives in their historical and social policy context; summarises existing research findings with regard to key health and social care policy debates; uses case studies to explore the implications of this research for health and social care practitioners; provides good practice guidance for both students and frontline practitioners. The book is designed as an introductory text for those working or training to work in a multi-agency environment. In particular, it will be of interest to social work, nursing, therapy and medical students, frontline practitioners and those undertaking post-qualification training courses.

In the context of the Care Act 2014, this third edition of the leading textbook on personalisation considers key policy changes since 2009 and new research into the extension and outcomes of personal budgets. Direct payments and personal budgets have developed rapidly, transforming the whole of adult social care. In future, all care will be delivered via a personal budget, with direct payments as the default rather than the exception. As the concepts have spread from adult social care to other sectors, the changes have been controversial and difficult to implement. Front-line practitioners and people using services have struggled to make sense of these ways of working in a challenging financial and policy context. This accessible textbook is essential reading for students, practitioners and policy makers in social work and community care services.

In the context of the Care Act 2014, this third edition of the leading textbook on personalisation considers key policy changes since 2009 and new research into the extension and outcomes of personal budgets. Direct payments and personal budgets have developed rapidly, transforming the whole of adult social care. In future, all care will be delivered via a personal budget, with direct payments as the default rather than the exception. As the concepts have spread from adult social care to other sectors, the changes have been controversial and difficult to implement. Front-line practitioners and people using services have struggled to make sense of these ways of working in a challenging financial and policy context. This accessible textbook is essential reading for students, practitioners and policy makers in social work and community care services.

The 1996 Community Care (Direct Payments) Act came into force in 1 April 1997, empowering social services departments to make cash payments to some service users in lieu of direct service provision. Social work and direct payments guides readers through the issues at stake in this fundamental area of practice. The book summarises and builds on current knowledge and research about direct payments in the UK and considers developments in other European countries. It identifies good practice in the area and explores the implications of direct payments, both for service users and for social work staff.

Improving partnership working between health and social care agencies has long been a feature of government policy but has recently gained increased impetus as a result of New Labour's commitment to joined-up government. This book provides a detailed but accessible introduction to policy and practice at the interface between health and social care. book assists health and social care professionals to work more effectively together in order to improve services for users and carers. and what helps or hinders partnership working; reviews the legal and policy framework, providing a chronological overview and placing current initiatives in their historical and social policy context; summarises existing research findings with regard to key health and social care policy debates; uses case studies to explore the implications of this research for health and social care practitioners; provides good practice guidance for both students and frontline practitioners. work in a multi-agency environment. In particular, it will be of interest to social work, nursing, therapy and medical students, frontline practitioners and those undertaking post-qualification training courses.

Empowerment of users of social care services has become a key issue in much current social work and social policy literature. But many of these texts have focused on themes such as consumerism and citizens' rights, settings in which user involvement is restricted to influencing front-line workers, with little participation in policy making at senior management level. This book explores strategies for effectively involving users in the planning, delivery and evaluation of services. How the key concepts of empowerment, participation and user involvement have been applied in important areas such as mental health, childcare services and criminal justice is discussed, and the outcomes for users considered. The book draws on extensive research and case studies, and also considers the methodology and ethical dilemmas of carrying out research.

Researching for Participation and Involvement in Social Care Delivery is an authoritative, thought-provoking overview of the current situation in social care delivery and presents a convincing argument for greater direct involvement of users at every level of policy making. It will be an invaluable resource for practitioners involved in social and health care delivery at all levels.