Voluntary organisations and the care market

Abstract

Since 1993 the relationship between voluntary organisations and local authorities, in the field of social welfare, has been dominated by the reforms introduced by the NHS and Community Care Act (DoH, 1990). A market for care has been introduced on the assumption that local authorities should act as purchasers of care for people in need; that a competitive market among suppliers of care would increase the quality of provision and keep prices in check. The threat to voluntary organisations in the care business is the fear of any increase in competition; a diminution of their autonomy; a loss of the traditions of partnership in any move from grants to contracts. In reality the market is far from active; many local authorities seem reluctant to develop competitive policies; there is no consistent evidence that those voluntary organisations that have contracts have lost any of their independence.