''Public Services Inspection in the UK'' provides a detailed account of the changing role of inspection in public services management. It outlines the continuing debates about providing inspection that encourages not only accountability but also effective service provision and best practice.The contributors describe current inspection methods across the key public sectors of education, social care, local government services and healthcare, and provide insights into the underlying issues and tensions of public services inspection. They compare approaches adopted in different parts of the UK and present evidence that can be drawn on to develop more effective practice, as well as offering recommendations for future policy and research.''Public Services Inspection in the UK'' is essential reading for public service managers, social workers, policy makers, researchers, academics, students and those professionals in working in public services who have an involvement in the inspection process.''Research Highlights in Social Work'' series examines areas of particular interest to those in social and community work and related fields. Each book draws together different aspects of the subject, highlighting relevant research and drawing out implications for policy and practice. The project is under the editorial direction of Professor Joyce Lishman, Head of the School of Applied Social Studies at the Robert Gordon University.Social, health and education workers, policy makers, researchers, academics and students as well as professionals in working in public services.
1. The Rise of Public Services Inspection. Steve Martin, Cardiff Business School and Howard Davis, Warwick Business School. 2. Inspection of Local Government Services. James Downe, Cardiff University. 3. Inspection of Adult and Children's Social Care. Chris John, University of Wales Business School, Cardiff and David Loc, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. 4. Inspection of Education and Skills: From Improvement to Accountability. Jane Martin, Local Better Regulation Office. 5. Regulation and Inspection of Health Services. Kieran Walshe, Manchester Business School. 6. Inspection and the Criminal Justice Agencies. John W. Raine, University of Birmingham. 7. Holistic Public Services Inspection. Steve Bundred, Audit Commission and Clive Grace, Cardiff University. 8. Performance Paradoxes: The Politics of Evaluation in Public Service. John Clarke, Open University. 9. The Future of Public Services Inspection. Howard Davis, Warwick Business School and Steve Martin, Cardiff Business School. The Editors. The Contributors. Subject index. Author index.
A valuable feature of the book is that it has a truly UK-wide scope, the devolved systems of inspection are described for all four jurisdictions and there are active comparisons between the evolving systems... In dealing forthrightly with the issues of inspection, this is a valuable collection of writings that develops a critical awareness and overview... For those wanting to understand more of the origins, theories and practice of inspection, this book is a good place to start.
