This book investigates the nascent implementation and reception of market-based reforms within social care services in the United Kingdom. Based on extensive research across twenty-five local authorities, the work examines the initial experiences and attitudes of those involved in operating within these emerging social care markets. It analyzes the capacities and perspectives regarding the community care reforms, situating them within broader conceptual and policy frameworks to understand their implications for various stakeholders, including local authorities, private and voluntary sector providers, central government, and the research community.

The book documents a significant shift in local authorities' perspectives on market mechanisms within social care, moving from a stance of anti-commercialism towards an acceptance of markets as potentially beneficial for users and carers. However, it critically notes a deficit in the practical understanding of how to leverage these market structures to achieve specific social objectives. The research provides a foundational analysis of the early stages of marketization in social care, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by various stakeholders.