Susan Balloch & Marilyn Taylor 
Partnership working 
Policy and practice

Over the past 10 years partnership working has become a central feature of public services. This book analyses experience of partnerships in different policy fields, identifying the theoretical and practical impediments to making partnership work and critically evaluating the advantages and disadvantages for those involved. Its broad coverage goes beyond the confines of statutory partnerships, addressing other important forms of collaboration between voluntary, private and statutory sectors and service users and community and minority groups. Through a wide range of perspectives, Partnership working aims to integrate theory and practice across a number of policy areas. Using a variety of models, it: highlights both positive and negative aspects of partnership working at political, cultural and technical levels; shows how partnerships can empower people and groups through effective collaboration; suggests some of the principles on which good practice should be based and the resources required; addresses key issues of accountability, representation and social exclusion. The book provides important reading for academics, policy makers, service providers and senior practitioners in community development and community safety, local government, housing, social services and health. It will also be a valuable resource for those working in voluntary organisations and students on professional courses.

Mengenai Pengarang

Susan Balloch is Reader in Health and Social Care in the Health and Social Policy Research Centre at the University of Brighton, UK. She is a co-editor of Social services: Working under pressure (The Policy Press, 1999). Previously she worked as Policy Director for the National Institute for Social Work. Marilyn Taylor is Professor of Social Policy at the Health and Social Policy Research Centre, University of Brighton, UK. She has written widely for policy and practice audiences on community development, community involvement in partnerships, user involvement and relationships between government and the voluntary sector.