ABSTRACT

Caring and Coping provides a clear and accessible explanation of the history, politics, management, funding and day-to-day work of the social services in Britain.

Social Care now encompasses a wide range of increasingly specialised professions. Caring and Coping aims to improve the practitioner's (and the general public's) understanding not only of what these various professions do, but also what the legal, political, ethical and financial constraints are upon them. It succinctly addresses issues such as:

  • the terms and effects of the Children Act and the Community Care Act
  • the role of charities in the modern welfare state
  • the role of management
  • relationships with other agencies
  • and the place of social work within the community

Social services are so often portrayed in the media in a sensationalist way and this book counterbalances the hype by providing solid research and a more down-to-earth picture. It is an ideal introductory text for those training to be social workers.

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

chapter Chapter 1|14 pages

From charity to social work

A history

chapter Chapter 2|15 pages

On the statute book

The law and social services

chapter Chapter 3|19 pages

The nuts and bolts of care

Politics and organisation

chapter Chapter 4|35 pages

For the child's sake

Services for children

chapter Chapter 5|42 pages

Does the community care?

Social services today

chapter Chapter 6|12 pages

Whose service is it, anyway?

Involving service users

chapter Chapter 7|9 pages

Home from home?

Residential care

chapter Chapter 8|11 pages

Something special

Specialist services

chapter Chapter 9|8 pages

More than a piece of paper

Social work training

chapter Chapter 10|14 pages

The manager's tale

Management of social services

chapter Chapter 11|13 pages

Acts of charity

The role of the voluntary sector

chapter Chapter 12|10 pages

All in it together

Working with different agencies

chapter Chapter 13|13 pages

Across the borders

Scotland and Northern Ireland

chapter Chapter 14|5 pages

Conclusion

Into the future