ABSTRACT

Issues relating to funding are always fraught with difficulty. No social welfare or criminal justice agency ever considers itself to be adequately funded. Funding is a political as well as a financial problem. From time to time additional money may be available to fund service developments which meet a need which is high on the political agenda. Short-term funding often materialises following a public or media outcry that 'something must be done' about a social issue. This can be a problem unless continuing funding can be found. Short-term funding is usually directed towards very specific functions, for example, to pay a psychiatrist to attend Court. There are some advantages in short-term funding. Senior management may be more ready to help develop a project if funding for one or two extra staff is available, at least initially. Short-term funding creates a new specialist post, the work undertaken highlights the need for continued funding.