The continued divergence between the legislative and policy landscapes across the four jurisdictions within the UK provides a useful framework for this comprehensive and interesting volume considering contemporary adult social care. The impact of devolution across health and social care is therefore appropriate and well addressed throughout the text. I particularly valued the separation of the different approaches being taken in each jurisdiction throughout the chapters as this makes comparison simple and transparent whilst retaining the clarity of the themes identified. The focus of the text on areas of transformation, both within the context within which health and social care is provided and within the models employed to provide health and social care, is apposite and timely.

The structure of the book overall is helpful in that is provides a progressive exploration of adult social care; with the early chapters providing a clear and comprehensive history of key themes which are then considered in detail in the following chapters. For example key failings are highlighted early in the book and the developments aimed at surmounting the challenges created by these failings are followed through in later chapters, e.g. from lack of co-ordination to integration and the need for flexibility for service users through to personalisation.

There is comprehensive consideration throughout of the issues affecting joint working or integration across the jurisdictions and clarity provided over the key issues and dilemmas. Notably there is effective consideration of the financial difficulties associated with integration, including the seemingly unsolvable (to date) challenge of pooling budgets. However, there could perhaps have been more thoughtful discussion of the extent to which the evidence base supporting the need for and potential success of integration is somewhat limited and inconclusive and how this might, or indeed should, challenge the direction of travel in policy terms. In addition whilst there is some consideration of the different value bases which health and social care organisations bring to bear on their practice and consequently models of operation, e.g. multi-disciplinary, integrated health and social care teams, could have been more explicitly drawn.

The chapters on formal and informal carers (paid and unpaid) are well developed and informed. There is in particular good discussion of some of the key dilemmas faced by those who use services in exercising choice in securing support, e.g. use of family members in a paid caring role, taking on the responsibilities associated with employment. At the same time, effective discussion of the challenges faced in recruiting and retaining paid social care workers is also explored.

There is perhaps a lack of detailed explanation of some of the more nuanced aspects of the key concepts outlined, e.g. empowerment, involvement and participation. Consequently, a basic understanding of the structure of adult social care and the approaches taken to working with individuals are required to get the most out of the discussions explored.

As it could be argued that the development of personalisation in whatever form it has been developed across the jurisdictions is perhaps the most significant transformative aspect in contemporary adult social care, this chapter is of particular significance and covers the key aspects appropriately. However additional consideration of the reasons for the lack of progress in some aspects of personalisation, e.g. take up of personal budgets, would have been appropriate and enhanced the overall discussion.

The chapters’ progress logically, although the lack of direct links to specific service user groups may undermine some of the more political elements discussed. In particular, there is limited discussion of the impact of the service user movement on a number of the most important contemporary developments, personalisation in particular. However Chapter 9 focuses on public and user involvement and does draw out the key part played by service user movements in transforming the adult social care landscape into providing supports in a more empowering and inclusive manner.

The concluding chapter consolidates the learning from across the volume and helpfully draws together the areas of transformation that emerge from the body of the text into nine key areas. In particular, setting out personalisation, integration and user involvement as the pillars of the transformative vision for adult social care are well explored.

It is the nature of such volumes, from a policy and sometimes legislative perspective, that they are almost out of date from the point of publication. Therefore the most recent developments for example in Scotland on integration via the Public Bodies (Joint Working) Bill are inevitably not discussed. However this does not detract from the overall themes developed, in this instance around integration, as they remain relatively unchanging.

This book will be a valuable and easy-to-use resource for students across adult social care whether from health or social care backgrounds. The carefully detailed questions provided at the end of each chapter ensure that students will be able to test their own knowledge of the reading in an appropriate manner. In addition, the detailed summaries of key points throughout the chapters provide an accessible reminder of the key themes under consideration.