Delivering Social Welfare: Governance and Service Provision in the UK

by Derek Birrell, Ann Marie Gray

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447319191
Publisher:	Policy Press
Publication date:	12/14/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Derek Birrell is Professor of Social Policy at the University of Ulster. He has written on policy making in health and social care, the civil service, devolution and social policy, and administrative structures and policy. Ann Marie Gray is Professor of Social Policy at the University of Ulster. She has written on issues relating to adult social care policy, social attitudes, and devolution and social policy.

Table of Contents

List of tables and boxes vii

List of abbreviations xi

Acknowledgements xiii

1 Introduction: the changing landscape of welfare governance and delivery 1

2 The devolved administrations and welfare delivery 17

3 The role of UK government departments in welfare provision 49

4 Local government: the changing scene 77

5 Local government responsibility for social welfare services 93

6 Delegated governance: 'quangos' and services 115

7 New developments in partnership working 143

8 The mixed economy: privatisation and welfare delivery 167

9 Involving users and the public in the governance and delivery of welfare 185

10 Regulating welfare delivery and performance 207

11 Conclusion 237

References 245

Index 283

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This important book successfully tackles the difficult task of explaining and comparing how social welfare is delivered in the now increasingly diverse United Kingdom." Michael Hill, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, University of Newcastle

“An indispensable resource for those who want to understand how complex the delivery of welfare services has become in the UK and its constituent nations in recent years.” Nick Ellison, York University

"This excellent book offers important insights into the shifting dynamics of who does what for whom in an increasingly complex welfare governance landscape." Sharon Wright, University of Glasgow

Editorial Reviews

"This is an excellent book. Informed, engaging and comprehensive. Essential reading for those interested in keeping up to date with the changing environment of social policy and governance." Dr Catherine Bochel, University of Lincoln

“This book can certainly be viewed as the new authority in the area social welfare governance in the UK and, as such, is deservingly destined to become a fixture on reading lists across the UK and beyond.” Social Policy & Administration

From the Publisher

This important book successfully tackles the difficult task of explaining and comparing how social welfare is delivered in the now increasingly diverse United Kingdom.

Michael Hill

An indispensable resource for those who want to understand how complex the delivery of welfare services has become in the United Kingdom and its constituent nations in recent years.

Nick Ellison

This is an excellent book. Informed, engaging, and comprehensive. Essential reading for those interested in keeping up to date with the changing environment of social policy and governance.

Catherine Bochel

This book can certainly be viewed as the new authority in the area social welfare governance in the UK and, as such, is deservingly destined to become a fixture on reading lists across the UK and beyond.

Social Policy and Administration

This excellent book offers important insights into the shifting dynamics of who does what for whom in an increasingly complex welfare governance landscape.

Sharon Wright