Example health and social care dissertation topic 7:

Who cares for the carer?’ – A plea for reform.

Furthering the contention that the families (and other volunteer parts of the support-network) are a forgotten group without whom the care of individuals would suffer, this dissertation reviews existing state provisions for carer payments and respite care. Noting that the former has failed to keep pace with inflation and that the latter is increasingly under-threat as a consequence e of budget cuts, this dissertation makes the case for full-time carers who are family members to be given a ‘living wage’ by the state for the support that they give to those who depend upon them. It additionally argues that each such person should receive one month’s statutory leave per month (paid) whilst the state provides alternative facilities for the disabled family member. Conscious that such an appeal may not be popular in a time of austerity, this is a dissertation that seeks to challenge existing societal attitudes to disabled care and suggests that the manner in which society looks after its most vulnerable members is a true measure of civility.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Eagar, K., Owen, A., Williams, K., Westera, A., Marosszeky, N., England, R. and Morris, D. (2007). Effective caring: A synthesis of the international evidence on carer needs and intervention. Wollongong, NSW: Centre for Health Service Development, Australia, in conjunction with the University of Wollongong.
• Glendinning, C. and Bell, D. (2008). Rethinking social care and support: What can England learn from other countries? York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
• McConkey, R., Kelly, F., Mannan, H. and Craig, S. (2010). ‘Inequalities in respite service provision: Insights from a national, longitudinal study of people with intellectual disabilities’. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, vol. 23(1), pp. 85-94.