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What is (Adult) Social Care in England? Its origins and meaning
- Authors:
- SMITH Randall, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 33(2), 2018/19, pp.45-56.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
The term ‘social care’ emerged in both official and academic publications in England in the 1990s but has not been defined in legislation. How the phrase has varied in usage over the last 20 plus years is outlined in this article. Whilst the element of ‘personal care’ has been present in the range of descriptions of ‘social care’, the policy context has changed dramatically, affecting the broader debate about priorities in public support for vulnerable adults. What ‘social care’ means as a policy rather than a practice has changed over time. The notion of indeterminacy provides a plausible explanation of changes in terminology and meaning in policies and practices. (Edited publisher abstract)
Self-funders and social care: findings from a scoping review
- Author:
- BAXTER Kate
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 31(3), 2016, pp.179-193.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This paper draws on a scoping review of the evidence base about adults in England who purchase social care services and support using their own money. It presents a selection of the review’s findings relevant to self-funders and key aspects of the Care Act 2014. The review covers the years 2000 to 2015. Searches of electronic databases were complemented by a focused search of the websites of key organisations. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, and removing duplicates, details were extracted from 76 references. The majority focused on residential care (33), domiciliary care (12), or both (23). Studies used a range of research methods. The overall numbers and percentages of self-funders of home care and care home places have increased. There are variations across regions but limited evidence about demographic or socio-economic characteristics of self-funders. Self-funders feel they lack advice from local authorities; local authorities have limited knowledge of self-funders in their areas. People struggle to understand fees and the financial implications of long-term care. Providers are beginning to realise the potential of the self-funding market but full use is not yet being made of e-marketplaces. Key gaps in knowledge remain at a time when the number and importance of self-funders is increasing. (Publisher abstract)
Home care services for older people: findings from a national survey of social care commissioners
- Authors:
- HUGHES Jane, CHESTER Helen, CHALLIS David
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 30(1), 2013, pp.51-64.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This paper explores local authority commissioning and contracting arrangements for home care, staff training opportunities and the range of services provided for older people utilising data from a national postal survey with a 74 per cent response rate. Local authority provision focused on intermediate care services. Joint commissioning of this with health was common but less likely for specialist mental health services. Most home care was commissioned from and provided by independent sector providers with contractual requirements identified as a means of influencing and monitoring training opportunities. A range of services were provided for users, additional to personal care. Local authority training was sometimes available to independent providers, focused on statutory requirements rather than user needs. Implications for the development of high quality services are discussed in terms of user need, service flexibility and training for staff providing direct care. It is suggested that within the commissioning process key drivers of the development of more personalised high quality home care services are: regular dialogue with service providers; greater health and social care involvement in a joint commissioning process; alignment of contracting arrangements to reflect service outcomes; and specification of training requirements within the setting and monitoring of home care contracts. (Publisher abstract)
Issues arising for older people at the 'interface' of intermediate care and social care issues
- Author:
- SCOURFIELD Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 25(1), 2007, pp.57-67.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
In recent years both the Health Act 1999 and the Health and Social Care Act 2001 have paved the way for the integrated care trusts with the aim of bringing about more flexible, person-centred services for older people. Concern to avoid both unnecessary hospital admissions and so called 'bed-blocking' has led to the expansion of intermediate care services. The National Service Framework for Older People, published in 2001, further articulated these ambitions. Evaluations to date have indicated that, whilst further research is still needed to see whether all the goals have been effectively realised, intermediate care is associated with a range of perceived benefits. However, this paper highlights the fact that, on the ground there remain certain unresolved difficulties at the point where intermediate care ends and where social care begins that needed further consideration before it can be said that services are properly 'joined-up and 'person-centred'. Implications for both practice and policy are considered.
Two views of generic care work in 'end of life' care
- Authors:
- HOLME Neal, HART Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 25(1), 2007, pp.27-41.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This small explorative qualitative study examines the experiences of a small group of 9 home carers trained to work as generic care workers (GCWs) with 'end of life' patients and their carers in Blackpool. The views of 7 informal carers were also sought to see how the service was received. Through a combination of focus group discussion and the completion of a structured questionnaire the GCWs reported increased job satisfaction and motivation, less stress, felt an improvement in professional status and demonstrated a willingness and ability to undertake training. Informal carers reported receiving help with administering personal care and low grade medical tasks, along with domestic assistance and social support with short periods of daily respite; all factors identified in the research literature as crucial to maintaining 'end of life' patients at home. The partnership project was delivered at very little extra cost. Given that an ageing population brings with it increasing demands on health and social care agencies for palliative care services the scheme has the potential, on the evidence provided within the limitations of this study, to provide an effective support to the NHS End of Life Care Programmes.
The influence of individual characteristics in the reporting of home care services quality by service users
- Authors:
- SANDHU Sima, BEBBINGTON Andrew, NETTEN Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 24(1), 2006, pp.1-12.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
In recent years, increased emphasis has been placed on consulting, involving and informing service users. A national survey in 2003 indicated that reported levels of satisfaction with services were associated with individual home care service users' characteristics. This case study aims to investigate further the association between individual service users and need-related characteristics in judgements of service quality, within on local authority. The local authority selected was a metropolitan authority situated in the North West of England. Reported service quality was assessed using a measure based on items in an extended version of the 2003 User Experience Survey (UES). Additional data about service users were sought from commissioning databases and client case records. Multivariate analysis indicated a relationship between service users and need-related characteristics in the reporting of service users satisfaction. Judgements of service satisfaction were not influenced by demographic characteristics alone, but by a complex interaction between individual characteristics, situational factors, dependency characteristics and structure of the care package. This case study suggests possible explanations for individual variation in the reporting of service satisfaction based on the interplay between expectations and experience.
A consumer survey of meals on wheels in the City of Edinburgh
- Author:
- CUNNINGHAM Eleanor
- Journal article citation:
- Social Services Research, 2, 1998, pp.23-37.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
The increasing emphasis on community care and the subsequently higher number of dependent people remaining in their own homes has had an influence in the way in which the purpose of the service has been redefined. The literature on the service suggests that it has two main functions - nutritional and social. Discusses the results of a consumer study and considers whether the service is meeting its objectives. Also considers user satisfaction with the service.
Setting standards in home care accreditation: views from the field
- Authors:
- PITHOUSE Andrew, SCOURFIELD Jonathan
- Journal article citation:
- Social Services Research, 4, 1997, pp.13-25.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
The research conducted between 1995-97 explores and analyses the independent sector provision of domiciliary care in a major Welsh local authority from the viewpoint of users and carers, purchasers and providers. Describes one aspect of this research, which was to engage with users and carers, providers and local authority purchasers in order to identify and agree a set of standards which would inform accreditation.
Squaring the circle: devising charging policies for domiciliary care services
- Author:
- LUNT Neil
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 14(1), 1996, pp.85-95.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
Discusses charging policies for day and domiciliary care services, focusing particularly on how social service authorities grapple with setting charges. This is one of the most difficult tasks facing departments and present as they attempt to ensure the smooth implementation and operation of community care policy. Clearly, levying charges for domiciliary services - home care, meals-on-wheels, day care attendance and so on - is of primary interest to social service departments. Charging, however, also has major implications for health authorities and housing authorities involved in delivering a seamless community care service.
The effectiveness of assessment and care planning in a care at home service: a plea for reliability in social work assessments to improve equity in provision
- Author:
- WOOLHAM John
- Journal article citation:
- Social Services Research, 4, 1996, pp.8-28.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
Social work practitioners, academics and trainers are rightly concerned to ensure that assessments made by social work professionals are, where necessary, holistic, comprehensive, sensitive and anti-discriminatory, and thus, valid measures of need. This article provides empirical evidence to argue that insufficient attention has been paid to the reliability of assessments, and that this has major consequences for the equity of service delivery.