As the system of governance and delivery of social welfare in the UK radically changes, this important new book argues that the extent of this change is such that it could be considered a fundamental transformation or even a revolution. It shows how a new public governance perspective has replaced the dominance of new public management, reflecting the increasingly plural and fragmented nature of public policy implementation. Drawing on examples across a range of policy areas it assesses how changes in social policy and governance interact in the delivery of the main areas of social policy and social welfare. The book will be essential reading for researches, students and policy makers.

Welfare-to-work or activation policies refer to programmes aimed at promoting the employability, labour-market and social participation of benefit recipients of working age. Frontline workers delivering these policies are conceived of as policy implementers, as policy makers, and as actors mediating politics in an arena where conflicting interests are at stake. Frontline work plays a crucial role in determining what welfare-to-work practically means and how it affects the lives of the people it targets. Yet few books have deliberatively focused on comparing what happens when frontline workers, some of whom are professional social workers, meet clients. Pioneering the provision of scholarly reflections on both theoretical and policy relevance of studying frontline practices of delivering activation, internationally renowned researchers present the first comparative analysis of how activation policies are actually delivered by frontline staff in selected EU countries and in the United States. In trying to understand and interpret frontline practices in activation, each contribution provides insights into what ‘activation in practice’ looks like, what services are provided and how they are enacted. This involves examining processes of client selection, monitoring, sanctioning and motivating, as well as the role of external service providers. This book is an important acquisition for scholars and researchers of social policy, public administration, public management, social work and policy implementation.

This book is about the organization and delivery of welfare services, a subject that is currently the focus of hot debate as successive governments seek to 'modernize' public services in response to recent social, economic and political change. Written specifically for a student readership, it provides a critical and contemporary exploration of the organizational models, processes and structures associated with different approaches to welfare, including traditional post-war approaches and the new right. Particular emphasis is given to the formulation and implementation of policy under the current British Labour government.

What is welfare? Why is it a key part of the ‘common good’ for all? And how should we go about providing it? Pete Alcock, a well-respected expert, explains the challenges that collective welfare faces, and explores the complexities involved in delivering it, including debates about who benefits from welfare and how and where it is delivered. His primary focus is on the UK, including the problems of poverty and inequality, and how recent political and economic changes have undermined public investment; but he also draws on international examples from Europe and other OECD countries, such as the impact of private health care in the USA. Why we need welfare is a call for new forms of collective action to meet welfare needs in the 21st century. It offers a fresh perspective on the key issues involved, and is a great introduction to this important and topical debate.

These essays convey the immediacy of social policy's intellectual and political engagements with the world, and its practical applications in research and employment. They also provide an overview of resources available to students.

What is social policy and why is it relevant to nursing and other caring professions? How has the welfare state changed in response to new social problems? What roles do professionals and lay people play in providing welfare services? This fully revised text is one of a series of books providing coherent and multi-disciplinary support for all client groups involved in the provision of health and social care. The book examines the relationship between welfare and health and includes discussion of key policy issues such as; changes in health care delivery, regulation of professionals, privatisation, welfare pluralism and the tackling of health and social inequalities. The significance of social policy in preventing ill health and disability, as well as supporting the sick and disabled people, is emphasised throughout the book. This new edition is updated throughout and includes new chapters on: Health policy in the post-war period The role of health and social care professionals The future of social policy and health in the 21st century Social Policy for Nurses and the Helping Professionsequips students with a lively, readable and well-illustrated introduction to social policy. The reader is guided through the material with the help of chapter summaries, further reading and a glossary, as well as new examples and case studies to reflect the different client groups within nursing.

The conception of welfare services has changed to consider the more specialized needs of individual users or consumers. This book examines the contradictions and complexities of contemporary individualized welfare services, with special reference to service groups who are deeply dependent on service delivery for their quality of life

This book explains the changes that have occurred in welfare states since the early 1970s and considers some of the policy dilemmas that have arisen. Each of the chapters begins with an introduction to set the scene, followed by an examination of the theoretical and conceptual perspectives of the sector under discussion. Chapters analyse the major changes in the sectors, with issue-based conclusions highlighting the policy dilemmas identified in the chapters. The influence of ideology and values is given prominence throughout. Although each of the sectors has its own chapter, the book emphasises the importance of the relationships between the sectors, allowing each sector's place in the production and delivery of welfare to be assessed.

There is growing concern that welfare states are inefficient, unsustainable and lack popular support. New Public Management reforms affected the balance between managerial and political accountability and disrupted administrative, legal, professional and social accountability, causing confusion as to whom public organizations are really accountable. The Routledge Handbook to Accountability and Welfare State Reforms in Europe assesses multi-dimensional accountability relations in depth, addressing the dynamic between accountability and reforms. Analyzing how welfare state reforms oriented towards agencification, managerialism and marketization affected existing relationships in services traditionally provided by public institutions, the theoretically informed, empirical chapters provide specific examples of their effect on accountability. Expert contributors explore the relationship between accountability and performance and the impact of reforms on political, administrative, managerial, legal, professional and social accountability. The role of specific actors, such as the media and citizens, on the accountability process addressing issues of blame avoidance, reputation and autonomous agencies is discussed. Comparative chapters across time, countries, administrative levels and policy areas are included, along with discussions linking accountability with concepts like legitimacy, democracy, coordination and performance. This handbook will be an essential reference tool to those studying European politics and public policy.

The book aims to: -Review debates, issues and concepts associated with the notion of a multicultural-welfare state in the context of contemporary Britain -Draw on examples from across 'need' groups (children, mental health, older people, women etc) explore the ways in which black and ethnic minorities engage in the production of welfare -Consider major transformations in the delivery and practices of welfare their implications for the engagement, access and participation of ethnic minorities -Consider issues of race and ethnicity within the context of a variety of welfare policy arenas. -Suggest ways that welfare practices could be transformed to incorporate the ideas such as 'cosmopolitan citizenship' within a welfare society. The book will appeal to undergradute and postgraduate students of social work, social policy and sociology taking modules in Race and Ethnicity, Social Care and Welfare, Community Studies, Social Exclusion and Citizenship. It will also appeal to practitioners with an interest in welfare policy and practice generally and those with a specific interest in welfare delivery issues and racial and ethnic diversity.