ABSTRACT
Social workers know that a good quality of life requires the involvement of many people. This is primarily about the personal networks derived from family, friends, localities and communities of choice that provide emotional and practical support. This chapter considers why integrated care is seen as a priority for all the home nations of the United Kingdom. In 2016 the World Health Organisation formally adopted a framework for integrated, person-centred health services. Social work and social care have been at the forefront of outcome-based approaches with many policy developments emerging from this sector. A comprehensive review of integrated working found that the aspects which are most valued by people accessing health and social care services include – responsiveness to their needs, relationships and partnerships with named key workers, communication between agencies, accessible information about complex systems, and care planning. Integrated care is a core element of achieving what people want from services.
