ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION This chapter explores a range of perspectives in contemporary mental health and social care. This includes conceptual models (medical, social and user), assessment, policy and practice frameworks. It aims to enable you to develop a critical awareness of current provision, policy and legislation, and ultimately to provide you with an opportunity to examine the implications of working with people who have mental health problems and illness. The chapter will introduce you to the nature, role and purpose of ‘care’ in current service frameworks. This will be achieved by consideration of:
• Defining mental health and ill health in society and using these concepts to consider the philosophical basis of historical and contemporary care.
