Book review

Title: Community Care Practice and the Law
Author: Michael Mandelstam
Year: 2008
Edition: 1
Number of pages: 640
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-84310-691-3
Price: £45.00
Reviewer: Jane Watt, Freelance Coach to Care Agencies
Review date: 02/06/2009
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The stated intention of Michael Mandelstam in Community Care Practice and the Law is “to bridge the gap between law and practice.” And this is exactly what is accomplished in this book, showing the multitude of difficulties for care practitioners, but also providing the necessary background information to proceed with their work.

In a social services team, it will provide information and confidence to staff at every level. For instance, the newly qualified social worker can “read around” the law and responsibilities in a particular area of concern before proceeding with an assessment. Looking at examples of cases will highlight potential pitfalls and will provide comments on available legal paths. Part II – Social Services assessment and provision of services - is vital for the practising social worker.

Part III – Housing, home adaptations and the NHS – is also essential background as it considers laws which require cooperation between housing services and social services. For the workers involved, this can be a complex and frustrating cooperation and reading about previous applications and rulings can show potential compromises and solutions.

Part IV – Decision-making capacity, safeguarding adults – looks at mental capacity and the protection of vulnerable adults which are particularly complex areas of care practice.

In Part I – Introduction, overview, underlying themes, remedies - the author lays out and discusses the mechanisms and the legal framework of community care in chapters 2 and 3. These will be very helpful prescribed reading for all social work students working towards qualification.

The chapters show how lack of finances and resources and differing Local Authority policies add to the apparent confusion of the complex and uneven legislation. Difficult, but essential, background aspects, such as the political aspect of central government “vote catching” by generating public expectations of Local Authority services which may not be financially possible;  performance targets and the social care market are all fully addressed.

Chapter 4 on non-judicial remedies is particularly helpful for service users and those helping them.

These initial chapters provide an excellent background and context to the more specific laws, duties and responsibilities listed in Parts II and III.

The book is laid out in a very helpful, logical way. The index makes it easy to find particular information and the References section is clear and rich. Of course, in an area like this there is frequent change both in laws and interpretations. Michael Mandelstam keeps us aware of this as well as of the variety of ways different Local Authorities expect their workers to proceed.

As a “user’s test”, I consulted the book on a personal and very complex family issue, which has been exercising my mind recently. I found it clarified the situation, showed me what to look for and helped me to know what steps I can take to move forwards.

Community Care Practice and the Law is a fascinating and enjoyable book to dip into and read at leisure as well as being an essential reference book for every team in Social Services, the NHS, Housing Offices, voluntary organisations, charities and campaigners.