1. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. Social Services

2. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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

3. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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

4. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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

5. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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

6. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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 ?)

7. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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?

8. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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)

9. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1937000 /1937221.stm

10. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. Social Services Related issues… Housing problems Is the nature of the Housing problem Not enough houses? Affordability? Poor condition?

11. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. 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

12. BS1033 Local Government – Continuity and Change 8. Social Services Problem estates.. Problems can be Vandalism Rubbish Home maintenance Lack of community facilities Empty housing Design How is this to be rectified?