A Single Door : Social Work with the Families of Disabled Children

First published in 1986, this study explores the increased public concern with policies of ‘community care’ and their effects on informal carers, at that time. It looks at the widespread evidence that one particular group of informal carers- parents looking after their severely disabled child- lack information, advice and a co-ordinated pattern of supporting services. The author, who carried out research on disabled children and their families for a number of years, describes in detail a low-cost experimental project in which specialist social workers set out to remedy these shortcomings. Drawing on the results of this particular study, the author argues strongly for widespread assignment of ‘key’ social workers to this and other groups of informal carers. Despite being written in the mid-1980s, this book discusses topic that will still be of interest and use today. Ch. 1. 'Community care', specialization and evaluation : current issues in social services and social work -- ch. 2. 'Community care' : the case of severely disabled children -- ch. 3. Setting up the project -- ch. 4. Inputs : the role of a specialist social worker -- ch. 5. Outcomes : the parents' views -- ch. 6. Outcome measures 1 : disability and day to day practical care -- ch. 7. Outcome measures 2 : homes and gardens -- ch. 8. Outcome measures 3 : education, leisure and respite care -- ch. 9. Outcome measures 4 : financial problems, welfare benefits and the family fund -- ch. 10. Outcome measures 5 : the impact on families and carers -- ch. 11. Conclusions : issues for evaluation -- ch. 12. Implementation : issues for policy