Care for the elderly, disabled and mentally-ill within and by the community forms a vital part of current social policy. Martin Bulmer argues that this policy is inadequately thought out and rests on a series of poorly founded sociological assumptions. This book, first published in 1987, will be essential reading for all those concerned with the organization and delivery of social care, whether as students, practitioners or teachers.

Preface; 1. The Policy Context 2. The Sociological Context 3. Personal Ties in the Provision of Social Care 4. Personal Ties and Social Networks of Care 5. The Philosophical and Sociological Bases of Caring 6. Interweaving Formal and Informal Care 7. The Future of Informal Care; References; Index