Care management: some issues of interprofessional practice in Northamptonshire

Abstract

This paper is based on research carried out into a series of care management pilot projects established by Northamptonshire Social Services in 1992–3. Despite limitations arising from the ‘pilot’ status of the projects, including temporary status, absence of individual budgets for care managers and a lack of infrastructure to support cure management activity, evidence presented in the first part of this paper indicates that in most cases, care management was able to deliver a more effective service to clients and careers which was noticeable, appreciated and valued by them. Issues arising from practice are discussed in the second part of the paper, This contains an analysis of the relationship between pre-existing organisational structures and the care management processes followed by care managers operating within these structures—specifically, raising referrals, coordinating assessments, constructing and implementing care plans.

Key Words:

• Care management
• practice issues