Direct payments and personal budgets are two of the important developments in adult social care since the Second World War. This book summarizes evidence and implications for policy and practice on direct payments and personal budgets. It is suitable for those who are involved in social care.

New austerity measures have substantially changed the landscape for social and health care in the United Kingdom. Fully updated to reflect key developments under the New Labour and Coalition governments, this second edition of "Understanding Health and Social Care" provides an up-to-date guide to the increasingly important partnership between health and social care workers. Jon Glasby combines practical information about welfare systems with key theoretical material to present a complete picture of these overlapping fields.

This clear and succinct text offers a valuable introductory guide to health and social care, helping people who want to study or work in the field understand why these services matter, how they have developed and how they work.