Suzy Croft

There is widespread agreement that care and support services must change radically if they are to meet the rights and needs of the rapidly growing number of people who require them. For the first time, Supporting people explores with service users, practitioners, carers and managers what person-centred support means to them, what barriers stand in its way and how these can be overcome. It provides a unique roadmap for the future, offering theoretical insights, practical guidance and highlighting the importance of a participatory approach. Based on the largest independent UK study of person-centred support and written by an experienced team that includes service users, practitioners and researchers, it demonstrates how change can be made now, and what strategic changes will be needed for person-centred support to have a sustainable future.

This unique book provides a rare look at social work and palliative care from the perspective of service users. It is the first to investigate specialist palliative care social work from this viewpoint. Drawing on new original research, the authors examine service users' experiences of social work and palliative care, tracking their journeys through it, exploring the care they receive and the effects of culture and difference through their first hand comments and ideas. The writers link service users' critiques with broader debates and developments in social work and palliative care and consider the implications of the book's findings for the formation of policy and practice and for future professional education and training. A groundbreaking text, Palliative Care, Social Work and Service Users is of particular value to social work professionals, palliative care workers, educators, researchers and policy makers.

This book offers the first introduction and practical guide to increasing people's say and involvement in their lives, neighbourhood and services. It draws on a major study of initiatives to involve and empower people. It explores a wide range of schemes across a variety of policies and services, including housing, health care, education, community development, social work and social services. It also examines the underlying principles, politics and philosophy of participation. It offers guidelines for participatory policy and practice and a checklist for evaluating and auditing citizen involvement.