BJSW Advance Access published online on June 17, 2008
British Journal of Social Work, doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcn085
Paying the Piper and Calling the Tune: Power and the Direct Payment Relationship
Dr Janet Leece is a registered social worker who has worked in social care for many years, both as a social work practitioner and, later, as a Commissioning Officer. She is also an honorary research fellow at Staffordshire University. Janet has published extensively in the area of direct payments, including the Practitioner's Guide to Direct Payments, published by Venture Press, and a co-edited book, Developments in Direct Payments, published by Policy Press in 2006. Janet is currently ‘resting’ from paid work following the recent completion of a Ph.D. with the Open University.
Correspondence to Dr Janet Leece. Email: Dleece{at}aol.com
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Abstract |
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This paper provides empirical evidence from original research, which investigated the impact on the support relationship of the direct employment of workers, by direct payment users. The study used a grounded theory approach, with questionnaires to measure job satisfaction and stress, and in-depth interviews with respondents. It explored and compared the experiences of eight direct payment relationships with eight traditional service delivery homecare relationships. The research reveals the importance of the concept of power in helping us to understand the effect of direct employment and, based on this research, makes some suggestions for policy and practice.
Keywords: Direct payments, user-controlled support, direct employment, power, homecare