Abstract

In the wake of the profound changes in policy and practice around caring over the past ten years, this volume takes a fresh look at the social and legal status of carers. Demonstrating the scope and diversity of 'caring', the contributors highlight the positive aspects of caring and the interdependence of many caring relationships but also broach the sensitive and complex subject of `poor' care and the importance of identifying and meeting the needs of 'hidden carers'.

Arguing that policy and practice must take account of both carers' and users' interests, the contributors re-evaluate the existing role of carers in developing new ideas in the planning and delivery of their services. Each of the book's chapters points to the future and looks at alternative and innovative ways forward in relation to thinking, policy and practice. This will make essential reading for social work and social science academics and students; professionals in the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors looking after the interests of carers; health and social care practitioners; nurses and care agency workers.

This book provides a valuable and though-provoking assessment of the needs and role of the carer. It will be of great value to practitioners in the field who want to acquaint themselves with current research themes.
British Journal of Social Work
The publication deals with many matters of interest and concern to social care staff who work with carers. The academic contributors, through nine chapters, explain and explore the changing policies and practices that have occurred over the last decade, and take a fresh look at the social and legal status of carers. Subjects covered include diversity among carers, assessment of carers' needs, support versus empowerment, carers' participation, employment, and getting to grips with poor care.
Care and Health Magazine
A timely reminder of the complexity and range of the challenges faced by policy makers, practitioners and carers. This is a readily accessible and essential read for practitioners and policy makers alike. In my current job role in performance and planning I was immediately drawn to those articles that explicitly addressed policy and good practice guides. However the case studies presented thought the book helped to widen my understanding of the complex contextual background in which policy is implemented.
Elizabeth Elwick, Bournemouth Social Services
This is a welcome addition to the developing literature on informal family care. It is up to date on many of the main issues concerning carers, and it offers some new insights or ways of thinking about current debates and policy concerns.
Community Care
This is a sound review of legislative developments, identifying a number of predictable points of conflict that result from the problems of defining a carer and the neglect of the care relationship... The book features two important developments in the strange history of 'the carer'. The first is the research-based policy debate that has continued to flourish in the UK during the 1990's, and second is the growing power of carers' organisations. It is good that research has moved on from the rather fruitless questions of who carers are and what they do, but both developments have combined to promote `the carer perspective', arguably at the expense of the care relationship and, more broadly, the resourcing and support of the care system.
Social Policy