History of the Personal Social Services in England

Ray Jones is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Kingston University and St. George’s, University of London, and a registered social worker. He has been a director of social services, chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence, and Deputy Chair and Chair of the British Association of Social Workers. In 2018 he received the Social Worker of the Year award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Social Work.’

• 1 Introduction: History and Hints.- Part I Creating the Personal Social Services.- 2 Seizing  the Moment: The Seebohm Committee.- 3 Scripting the Future: The Seebohm Report.- 4 Preparing the Platform: The Local Authority Social Services Bill and Act.- Part II The Personal Social Services in Action.- 5 Creating the Empires: Promise and Potential (1970–1976).- 6 The Seismic Shifts of the Mid-1970s.- 7 Norming and Storming: Social Work Debates and Developments in the 1970s.- 8 Thatcher and Threat (1979–1989).- Part III New Laws and New Horizons.- 9 A Drama in Two Parts: Part I—The 1989 Children Act and Children’s Social Services.- 10 A Drama in Two Parts: Part II—The 1990 NHS and Community Care Act and Adult Social Services and Social Work.- Part IV The Recent Reforms and Unravelling.- 11 New Labour: New Agendas (1997–2010).- 12 Coalition and Conservatives: Austerity and Hostility (2010–2020).- Part V Reflecting and Re-routing.- 13 The Personal Social Services Today and Tomorrow.