The integration of services has been NHS policy for a number of years, but how successfully has it been achieved? This book explores the issues from a social care perspective and examines changes in practice so far, particularly progress towards the overall aim of improving the experience of the service user and achieving 'seamless services'.

The clash between medically-driven and socially-driven approaches has long been discussed and the book considers whether these two approaches have now been reconciled, or whether the reality of modern service provision continues to create...

This book draws on both the historical context and contemporary research evidence to present the roles of the Mental Health Social Worker, the Approved Mental Health Professional and Best Interest Assessor, within an ethical framework. Codes of practice and statutory legal requirements, such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Human Rights Act, are all considered and linked to a competency-based approach that will assist both those in training and those in practice to understand the dilemmas, complexities and conflicts that are evident in the practice environment.