BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change

8. Social Services

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

After the establishment of the NHS in 1948, there were typically 3 local authority departments:

• Health departments (public health, certain aspects of social care)

• Welfare departments (residential care, help to disabled and elderly)

• Children’s departments

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

In the 1960’s they were unified into.

Social Service Departments…..

Instead of specialised, we now have generic social workers.

• Much of the spending went on residential care…

• But much of the professional work was with children.

• The balance was shifted with the introduction of community care

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

• It is the duty of a local authority to ‘receive the child into care’ in cases of abuse and neglect. The costs of receiving a child into care are now large (£500 per week?)

• Since 1989 Children Act, somewhat more difficult to take a child into care. Now much more emphasis on community care

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

• It is the duty of a local authority to ‘receive the child into care’ in cases of abuse and neglect. The costs of receiving a child into care are now large (£500 per week?)

• Since 1989 Children Act, somewhat more difficult to take a child into care. Now much more emphasis on community care

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

Social workers are criticised if they:

• Take children into care ‘unnecessarily’ (although it is now more difficult)

• Criticised when children die or are mistreated

• Generally have large case-loads (40 children at a time ?)

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

Philosophy of community care…

Large Victorian institutions to be dismantled/sold off

Residential care (for the elderly, mentally and physically handicapped) keeps a philosophy of

• Keeping individuals in their own homes/schools

• But is this ultimately a cost-saving measure?

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

Community care policy

Social Services departments were to be regarded as ‘lead departments’ commissioning services from others (e.g. in the private sector). Care managers would be responsible for allocating resources and determining priorities.

In practice, budgets have been severaly strained in the 1990’s and many services have diminished (reflecting a lack of political will)

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

Bed Blocking is one of the greatest dilemmas

• Shows the interaction between different areas of policy

• It also shows the ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ principle

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1937000/1937221.stm

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

Related issues…

Housing problems

Is the nature of the Housing problem

• Not enough houses?

• Affordability?

• Poor condition?

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

Housing and social deprivation

‘Slum high rise estates’ represent areas of minimum choice

Social segregation has taken place by housing officers

Local authority housing now largely sold off and its place taken by Housing Associations

Private rented sector typically poor in facilities

BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change8. Social Services

Problem estates .. Problems can be• Vandalism• Rubbish• Home maintenance• Lack of community facilities• Empty housing• Design

How is this to be rectified?