Carers and the missing link: changing professional attitudes
Richard Olsen BA, PhD, MA,
Gillian Parker BA, PhD,
Alison Drewett BA, MA,
Corresponding Author
Richard Olsen BA, PhD, MA
Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit, Leicester University, Leicester
Richard Olsen Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit Leicester University 22–28 Princess Road West Leicester LE1 6TP UKSearch for more papers by this authorGillian Parker BA, PhD
Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit, Leicester University, Leicester
Search for more papers by this authorAlison Drewett BA, MA
Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit, Leicester University, Leicester
Search for more papers by this authorRichard Olsen BA, PhD, MA,
Gillian Parker BA, PhD,
Alison Drewett BA, MA,
Corresponding Author
Richard Olsen BA, PhD, MA
Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit, Leicester University, Leicester
Richard Olsen Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit Leicester University 22–28 Princess Road West Leicester LE1 6TP UKSearch for more papers by this authorGillian Parker BA, PhD
Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit, Leicester University, Leicester
Search for more papers by this authorAlison Drewett BA, MA
Nuffield Community Care Studies Unit, Leicester University, Leicester
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
The involvement of users and carers in service planning represents a central plank of reforms in social care, but clear guidance as to what this involvement should entail is absent from the legislation, leaving authorities to develop local involvement strategies. This paper is based on a project mapping the development of services for carers, carried out in the spring of 1994. We argue that the involvement of carers in planning processes at strategic levels will not guarantee changes in practice at lower levels. We discuss weaknesses in the existing literature regarding user and carer involvement, and suggest ways in which opportunities for ‘micro-level’ consultation can be developed.
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