Policy and practice

Policy makers have become reliant on mechanistic top-down audit and inspection regimes as the means of implementing public service reforms. This book sets out to redress the balance. It outlines the theory behind whole systems development and gives good practice guidance on how to effectively develop 'systems' to improve joined-up working.

This authoritative yet accessible book identifies the key targets for intervention through a detailed exploration of pathways and processes that give rise to health inequalities. It sets this against an examination of both local practice and the national policy context, to establish what works in health inequalities policy, how and why.

With examples of policy and approaches, this book supports those working in the built environment and public health sectors, with the knowledge and insight to maximise health improvement through planning and land use decisions.

Social policy agendas have generally failed to take account of the actual or potential role played by social alarms and telecare.

This book draws on research and practice throughout the developed world. It documents the emergence of these important technologies and considers their potential in healthcare, social welfare and housing.

This book uses innovative research methods to examine why so many people fail to travel in ways that are deemed by most to be desirable - on foot or by bike. It proposes evidence-based policy solutions that could increase levels of walking and cycling substantially.

This practical and accessible guide shows how police forces of all sizes can successfully adopt evidence-based methods. Drawing on experiences of North American policing, it sets out ways for decision makers to reshape practices, strategies and organizational structures and overcome barriers to change.

From a campaigning concept in the 1970s, direct payments - the substitution of cash for services - have become a key part of UK government social care provision. This book charts the change, critically evaluating progress, take-up, inclusion and access to direct payments by different user groups.

Drawing on the best available research evidence, 'Managing transitions' highlights issues common to all experiencing transition as well as the dilemmas specific to particular situations. It addresses significant transitions relevant to policy and practice, covering key transition points in social care from childhood to old age.

This new book explores Britain's intensely urban and increasingly global communities as interlocking pieces of a complex jigsaw; they are hard to see apart yet they are deeply unequal. 

Jigsaw Cities examines these issues using Birmingham, Britain's second city, as a model of pioneering urban order and as a victim of brutal Modernist planning.

This highly original book examines, for the first time, how the patient movement, which works to improve the quality of healthcare, can actually be considered an emancipation movement when led by its radical elements.

New Labour had a momentous impact on British family policy. In this timely book, Clem Henricson asks whether its aspirations were met, or were indeed realisable, and formulates radical proposals for the future.

This book will inspire policy makers, practitioners, academics and journalists to rediscover courage in tackling child sexual abuse. Sarah Nelson proposes new models for child-centred, perpetrator-focussed child protection, for community prevention, and for work with survivor-offenders.