ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the government of social services, the arrangements in place for the control, accountability and management of the service together with the organisational structure for its production. The identification of social problems repeatedly led to calls for more social services staff. The government of social services cannot be understood without recognition of the changing perception and the uncertain definition of its task. Social services for older people illustrate the intense discussion over levels of provision, methods of rationing, systems for provision and access, and methods of payment. Social services are designed to provide for people who are not coping. The struggle of social services staff to represent others, to account for their situation and to challenge discrimination has led to their being identified as ‘loony lefties’. Increasingly social services work is undertaken outside Social services departments (SSDs), that is by voluntary and private organisations.
