Context of Health and Social Care in the UK and Vulnerability in Adolescents

Running head: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Health and Social Care
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HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Briefing note 1: Context of Health and Social Care in the UK and how knowledge of the
origins can help build working relations with colleagues from the third sector
The origin of the health and social care sector in the UK can be traced back to the
nineteenth century when voluntary and independent organizations had a primitive role in
provision of care for disabled and old people. After 1948 the government enabled health services
to be free at the point of delivery. From the 1950s focus had shifted from institutional to
community care owing to a number of reasons. The shift to community care as well as to private
sector provision further picked up the pace in the 1980s. Significant initiatives have since been
taken, mainly in 2000s for improving care support (Hudson 2015). The Beveridge report, titled
as “Social Insurance and allied Services” is a noted government report that was published in
1942 and has since been influencing the welfare state in the UK. The purpose was to put consider
reforms in the system of welfare for addressing five “Giant Evils” prevailing in society; squalor,
ignorance, want, idleness, and disease. The report provided a set of valuable recommendations
based on three principles. The first principle is that initiatives in the future must not be restricted
by sectional interests. The second principle reflects on the idea that social insurance is to be
considered as a mere part of comprehensively policy of social progress. Successively, the third
principle relates to the requirement that policies of social security are to be ascertained through
understanding between the individual and the State (Glasby 2017).
The accountability of the local and Federal authorities in relation to promotion of health
and social care across the country has been well articulated by the Care Act UK. The Care Act
2012 and the Care Act 2014 build upon the recent reforms and reviews, in place of different then
existing laws, for providing a consistent and logical approach to social care in England. These
Acts aim to achieve clearer and fairer support and care for the individuals of the community. The

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underlying concept is to promote emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of people needing
care along with the care providers. The Acts guide delay and prevention of need of support and
care on the whole through enabling people take control of their own needs of care. The Care act
2012 removed responsibility for the health of citizens from the Secretary of State for Health.
Earlier, the post had entailed this responsibility since the inception of the NHS in 1948. The
primary objective of the Care Act 2014 was to refurbish the concurrent legislation established 60
years ago in relation to social care in England. The present system of health and social care is
funded and commissioned by local authorities with roots deep into essence of comprehensive
care. Though criticisms and inconsistent under-funding is evident at different levels, well
meaning efforts and initiatives have come into limelight repeatedly that promises to continue in
the future (Matthias and Brown 2016).
The health and social care sector predominantly focuses on achieving best outcomes for
the individuals in relation to their mental and physical health status. Gaining enhanced
knowledge on the context of the health and social care sector in UK would guide professionals to
work in collaboration with colleagues working towards the same organizational goals and
objectives in different third sector organizations which are voluntary and community
organizations. The primary role of professionals working in this field is to ensure that maximal
support is provided to those who are in need of structures care services. Knowledge of the key
values integrated care into the care domain would inform professionals of the need of effective
communication at different levels (Cameron et al. 2014). It has been highlighted repeatedly that
encouragement and support from colleagues is essential to ensure professional development, and
this is more felt in the health and social care sector. Guided by knowledge regarding context of
the care sector, professionals can work in coordination with each other to provide person-

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centered care approaches. As mentioned by Reeves et al. (2017) by involving colleagues in
decision making process pertaining to care scenarios, effective professional relationships can be
fostered. Further, feedback shared among professionals can be accurate and valuable if
knowledge is gained about the fundamentals of the industry.