Published
Oct 27, 2022Page count
316 pagesISBN
978-1447364450Dimensions
216 x 138 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Oct 27, 2022Page count
316 pagesISBN
978-1447364467Dimensions
216 x 138 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Oct 27, 2022Page count
316 pagesISBN
978-1447364467Dimensions
216 x 138 mmImprint
Policy Press
Ending the Social Care Crisis
What lies behind England’s crisis in adult social care, why has real change been so hard and what can be done?
Ensuring effective, sustainable and affordable care and support for people of all ages is an urgent public policy challenge. This vital book outlines a different vision of social care as an essential part of the country’s economic and social infrastructure that enables people to live good lives.
Drawing on the history of social care, international comparisons and lived experience, it sets out a different road to reform that will secure political traction and public support for change.
"This long overdue treatise is beautifully crafted, highly coherent and amply illustrates the value of listening to the lived and living experience of people who use services, including the author’s own parents... Here at last we have a definitive picture of our social care crisis, what went wrong, the politics of it all and how over many years we failed to solve the problem." Professional Social Worker
“Richard Humphries offers a comprehensive assessment of long-term care issues through this English perspective on social care. This thoughtful, eminently practical book proposes powerful ideas that can lead to sustainable solutions in England and beyond.” Susan C. Reinhard, AARP Public Policy Institute
“An indispensable tour de force on the nature and purpose of adult social care, the failure to develop an effective policy response and how to put this right.” Bob Hudson, University of Kent
“Richard Humphries has been leading the debate on reforming English social care for almost 20 years. There’s no one better placed to explain how to end our crisis in care.” Andrew Harrop, Fabian Society
Richard Humphries has worked in social care for forty-five years in various roles including as a social worker, Director of Social Services and for eleven years as Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund. He is a Senior Policy Advisor to the Health Foundation and Visiting Professor at the University of Worcester.
1. Introduction
2. A Brief History: How We Got Here
3. Understanding Social Care
4. Learning from the Past
5. Learning from Abroad
6. Who Cares?
7. A 1948 Moment? The Politics and Process of Reform
8. A New Future for Social Care
