ABSTRACT
The images of social care have their roots in the prison, the workhouse and the asylum. These images have proved remarkably resistant to change despite the fact that the functions of social care have altered substantially. The images easily become stereotyped into a perception of social care as the poor relation within the personal social services. The pace of change within the personal social services in general quickened from 1970 onwards. Within social care the pace of change has been quite dramatic. Social care services have developed in this contradictory climate. An examination of the development of social care suggests that the principles of social work advocated for the fieldwork sector have been taken over and rather loosely applied, with limited success. Social care management has some unique aspects and makes particular demands. Social care managers should also be in the forefront of developing anti-discriminatory policies and practices.
