This book looks at the nature of management in the human services sector and examines the prevailing issues affecting both the UK and USA. Contradictory forces affect the act of management, such as the imperatives driving the introduction of new control systems which exist alongside the requirement to cut resources. In this book, contributors present both the problems and opportunities associated with the growth of management in the social care sector. They cover key topics including the implementation of change in the childcare sector; diversity - looking at the ways in which care managers can more effectively serve a growing multicultural and global society; performance measurement; the impact of electronic technologies and telecommunications; risk and safety in the workplace; and ethics in making personnel decisions, managing finances, planning and maintaining key relationships. This will be essential reading for social workers and human services managers, and students in health and social welfare internationally.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements. Introduction. Jane Aldgate and Barbara A. Pine. 1. Looking Backward, Looking Forward: Current Trends in Human Services Management. John Harris, University of Warwick, UK. 2. New Leadership for the Human Services: Involving and Empowering Staff through Participatory Management. Barbara A. Pine and Lynne M. Healy, University of Connecticut, US. 3. Improving Performance in Social Work through Positive Approaches to Managing Change. Julie Barnes, Independent Social Care Consultant, UK. 4. Ethical Issues for Social Work and Social Care Managers. Lynne M. Healy and Barbara A. Pine. 5. Managing across Interagency Boundaries: A Learning Agenda for Change. Vivien Martin, University of Brighton, UK. 6. Managing Diversity in Social Service Settings. Barris Malcolm, University of Connecticut, US. 7. Liability and Safety Issues in Human Services Management. Robert G. Madden, St Joseph College, US. 8. Managing Care Environments: Reflections from Research and Practice. Jill Reynolds and Sheila Peace, The Open University, UK. 9. Active Service-User Involvement in Human Services: Lessons from Practice. Janet Seden, The Open University, UK and Trish Ross, Nottinghamshire County Council, UK. 10. The Impact of New Technology: Implications for Social Work and Social Care Managers. Myron E. Weiner University of Connecticut, US and Peter Petrella, University of Connecticut/Connecticut Department of Social Services, US. 11. Managing Diverse Sources of Funding. Mark Ezell, University of Kansas, US. 12. From Policy Visions to Practice Realities: The Pivotal Role of Service Managers in Implementation. Wendy Rose, Jane Aldgate and Julie Barnes. References. Contributors. Subject Index. Author Index.