Unequal partners: User groups and community care

Self-organised user groups of social and health care services are playing an increasingly significant part within systems of local governance.

Based on detailed empirical work looking at the user and 'official' perspective, this report includes studies of user groups and officials in two policy areas - mental health and disability. The authors examine both the strategies user groups adopt to seek their objectives, and explore conceptual issues relating to notions of consumerism and citizens...