The Mosaic of Personal Social Services: Public, Voluntary and Private

Correspondence to Joan Cooper, 2A Gallows Bank, Abinger Place, Lewes. Sussex Summary The main characteristics of each sector are outlined. A fluidsituation which lacks a planned strategy reflects inadequatephilosophical and professional debate. Social workers have acontribution to make to such a debate on the advantages andproblems arising from a mix of service provision, on their ownemployment, and on client perspective and participation. Thepaper argues that the direction of social policy is weakenedin the pluralist model, and the inequitable distribution ofservices is increased but that entrepreneurialism is greater.Laisser-faire is seen as effectively a policy decision.