There is widespread agreement that care and support services must change radically if they are to meet the rights and needs of the rapidly growing number of people who require them. For the first time, Supporting people explores with service users, practitioners, carers and managers what person-centred support means to them, what barriers stand in its way and how these can be overcome. It provides a unique roadmap for the future, offering theoretical insights, practical guidance and highlighting the importance of a participatory approach. Based on the largest independent UK study of person-centred support and written by an experienced team that includes service users, practitioners and researchers, it demonstrates how change can be made now, and what strategic changes will be needed for person-centred support to have a sustainable future.

About the Author
Peter Beresford OBE is Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Centre for Citizen Participation at Brunel University and Chair of Shaping Our Lives. Jennie Fleming is the Director of the Centre for Social Action at De Montfort University and a qualified and registered social worker. Michael Glynn is the Personalisation Programme Manager with Solihull Care Trust. Catherine Bewley is Director of Values Into Action (VIA) and Specialist Sexual Abuse Caseworker at Galop. Suzy Croft is a Social Work Team Leader at St John's Hospice in London Fran Branfield is the Director of Shaping Our Lives. Karen Postle is a registered social worker who teaches part-time at the Universities of Portsmouth and Southampton.

Reviews
"As the system undergoes rapid change, 'Supporting people' is a crucial resource that everyone in social care should read. It's both analytical and inspirational, with an alternative, person-centred and positive view of the future." Jon Glasby, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham
"..this book marks a very welcome shift in attitude...the language and ideas are down-to-earth, practical and based on grass roots experience." Julia Lindley in Open Mind
'...this is a book stakeholders at all levels should read - it has clear public policy and management lessons, but the words of service users and the case examples used on their own have a resonance for practitioners to remind them to listen better.' - Rosemary Trustman in Social Caring Magazine
"This book is another of Peter Beresford and colleagues' incisive accounts of what those who need person-centred support say about how it should be developed to effectively increase their life chances. They get to the heart of what "nothing about us, without us" means and stays true to that principle. By synthesizing the experience and knowledge of those who require person-centred support, they have managed to answer the questions that many have yet to comprehend: What is person-centred support? What are the barriers to its realisation? And how can these be overcome? This book gives readers the opportunity to answer these questions from the perspective of those who are the experts in person-centred support - those who use it." Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, DBE
'"Supporting People' is quite simply one of the best books I've read on 'social care'. It is without doubt an essential read for everyone involved in the delivery and receipt of services and support." Colin Barnes. Professor of Disability Studies, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds
"This highly original book on social care and the prospects for person-centred support is most timely. It provides essential and stimulating reading - for all concerned - on making changes in the 21st century." Carol Thomas, Lancaster University



Book Information
ISBN 9781847427625
Author Peter Beresford
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Policy Press
Publisher Policy Press