Welfare Reform on the Web (July 2006): Social care - UK - community care

Developments in direct payments

J. Leece and J. Bornat (editors)

Bristol: Policy Press, 2006

From a campaigning concept in the 1970s, direct payments – the substitution of cash for services – have become a key part of UK government social care provision. This book charts the change, critically evaluating the progress, take-up and access to direct payments by different user groups. The book:

• Provides an overview of the history of direct payments;
• Presents findings from key research into direct payments and disabled people, older people, carers, people with mental health problems, people with learning difficulties and disabled children;
• Discusses the implementation and development of direct payments provision;
• Compares developments in the UK with those in North America.