In the wake of the profound changes in policy and practice around caring over the past ten years, this volume takes a fresh look at the social and legal status of carers. Demonstrating the scope and diversity of 'caring', the contributors highlight the positive aspects of caring and the interdependence of many caring relationships but also broach the sensitive and complex subject of poor' care and the importance of identifying and meeting the needs of 'hidden carers'. Arguing that policy and practice must take account of both carers' and users' interests, the contributors re-evaluate the...

The provision of respite care within families is a relatively new development and the ad hoc nature of individual schemes has resulted in a great variation in their character; relatively little research has been carried out into the policy and practice of this important development in community care. 'Share the Care' examines: the different ways in which respite care schemes operate, focusing in particular on the Share-the-Care service in Lothian; the experience of parents of children with learning difficulties of using the scheme; respite carers: who joins the scheme and why, their...