Introduction

Abstract

Care management in community care is crucial for all those currently employed in the personal social services, but has particular relevance for professionally qualified social workers. Viewed positively it offers the opportunity to review practices and policies of service delivery, to be innovative and flexible, and to work more effectively with the consumers of the services. Viewed negatively it is a threat to the old order, the patterns of service delivery and, more significantly, employment. Will social workers simply change their title to care manager, or are there more fundamental changes required? In writing this book we are well aware of the concerns and we have set out to explore these and to clarify and codify some of the concepts that are around.