ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the contemporary debate concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the practice of the two main professional groups working with people with learning disabilities and their families, that is, social workers and learning disability nurses. This debate has a long history and it has been productive in the sense that the examination of these two professions has led to both change and innovation. It is also true to say that it has led to a considerable amount of wasted energy. So why waste energy in either writing or reading this chapter?
