Suchergebnisse

Focuses on private children's homes and the fees they charge and compares them with the costs incurred in the public sector. Compares fees and costs after standardisation for differences in the characteristics of clients, homes and areas. In present circumstances, the private sector appears to offer a cost effective service to local authorities. However, expresses doubts about the scope for a very much larger role for the private sector. (Abstract amended)

Reports how one London borough experienced a fall in its boarding-out proportion over a four year period, but had nevertheless succeeded in finding foster rather than residential placements for a 'more difficult' care population. (Abstract amended)

At present six million people are suffering from clinical depression or anxiety disorders, but only a quarter of them are in treatment. NICE Guidelines prescribe the offer of evidence-based psychological therapy, but they are not implemented, due to lack of therapists within the NHS. We therefore estimate the economic costs and benefits of providing psychological therapy to people not now in treatment. The cost to the governement would be fully covered by the savings in incapacity benefits and extra taxes that result from more people being able to work. On our estimates, the cost could be recovered within two years - and certainly within five. And the benefits to the whole economy are greater still. This is not because we expect the extra therapy to be targeted especially at people with problems about work. It is because the cost of the therapy is so small (£750 in total), the recovery rates are so high (50 per cent) and the cost of a person on IB is so large (£750 per month). These findings strongly reinforce the humanitatian case for implementing the NICE Guidelines. Current proposals for doing this would require some 8,000 extra psychological therapists withing the NHS over the six years.

Government policy seeks to introduce competition into the supply of social care through the separation of purchasing and providing responsibilities. A study of 24 local authority social service departments has explored the initial steps taken to prepare for the new enabling role, including the creation of a mixed economy of care. Very few were seeking to create a market in social care. Most argued that the inherent nature of social care rendered the introduction of service specifications and price mechanisms neither approriate nor feasible. Many authorities interpreted the enabling role in ways significantly different from that of the government. The study raises questions about the extent of local discretion in a context where the range of values and interests of implementing agencies may differ from those of the centre.

Explored the initial steps taken to prepare for the new enabling role, including the creation of a mixed economy of care. Most argued that the inherent nature of social care rendered the introduction of service specifications and price mechanisms neither appropriate nor feasible. Many authorities interpreted the enabling role differently from the government. (Abstract amended)