ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that voluntary organisations have a whole range of concerns about information management which are very different from those of statutory organisations. The voluntary sector is such a wide-ranging and unorganised collection of independent bodies that there is no hope of giving a certain answer to that question. It is also worth noting that the few surveys which have taken place in the voluntary sector tend to concentrate on the mechanics of purchasing and operating computer systems rather than information management itself. The only connection between the voluntary sector and the local people is apparently via a care manager who assesses people's needs and pays the voluntary sector for providing services. Many voluntary organisations are closely identified with their local communities and work to develop a relationship of mutuality with those who use their services. There is clearly potential for sharing information between statutory and voluntary organisations.
