2007 Handbooks

The course is based on an exploration of the concept of care and its meaning in a range of different human service developments such as mental health, child care, child protection, disability services and aged care. A starting point for these discussions is an examination of the ideas of care. We explore the links between informal supports, typically, although not exclusively, provided by women within families and households, and formal supports as provided by professional, trained and untrained staff, through organisations and other, often newly emergent, systems of support. You will also be able to learn from policy makers and practitioners working in this field. Drawing together the fields of social theory and applied research, this unit also provides an opportunity to examine responses to changing concepts of human need for interpersonal support. You will have the opportunity to analyse state of the art studies of care, as well as to engage in critiques and analysis of policies and programs from the delivery of human services in Australia and other comparable countries.