Costing Community Care: Theory and Practice

Published in 1993. Valid and useful costings in social and health care depend not only on a knowledge of costing theory but also on overcoming the practical difficulties involved. The authors of this book draw on eighteen years of research at the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) to describe the theory and practise of costing, and its uses.

Costing Community Care differs from other books which address the subject, by acknowledging and discussing the practical difficulties of costing, and by examining in detail the interface between theory and practice. Principles and methodologies are identified, and pragmatic approaches to achieving valid date in the face of practical difficulties are described. Examples from empirical research are used to illustrate particular issues and four case studies are included which reflect a variety of methodologies and policy issues.