Claimant or Client?: A Social Worker's View of the Supplementary Benefits Commission

This book explores the relationship between the Supplementary Benefits Commission and personal social services, particularly social work, examining the ethical issues involved in the administration of means-tested benefits. It provides an overview of the scheme's structure and organization, discusses the roles of officials, and examines the selection and training of officials and social workers' attitudes toward them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1973, this book aimed to explore the relationship between the Supplementary Benefits Commission (SBC) and personal social services, particularly social work. The author delved into notions of entitlement and rights in means-tested benefit schemes, examining the challenges faced by claimants such as unsupported mothers and the so-called "voluntary unemployed." Recognizing that for many claimants, the primary need was prompt and efficient financial service, the book also acknowledged that for a few, their financial needs were intricately linked to complex social and psychological difficulties. Consequently, the civil servants responsible for administering the British Supplementary Benefits scheme required skills beyond what was typically expected of them.

The author emphasized the crucial role of social workers in dealing with such cases, as their relationship with the officials became vital. The book addressed underlying ethical issues, such as the tension between equitable and individualised justice, involved in the exercise of discretion. It provided a comprehensive description of the Supplementary Benefits scheme's structure and organisation, analysing the roles of officials that impacted welfare. Additionally, the work examined the current situation regarding the selection and training of officials and discussed the attitudes of social workers toward these officials.

This groundbreaking study, authored by the first Social Work Adviser to the SBC, was a pioneering effort in its field. It offered valuable insights to students and teachers of social work, as well as a broad readership of social scientists. The book's unique perspective and comprehensive analysis made it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of the Supplementary Benefits Commission and its impact on personal social services.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032058016