Policy Press

Understanding Public Services

A Contemporary Introduction

Edited by E.K. Sarter and Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey

Published

Feb 28, 2023

Page count

196 pages

ISBN

978-1447364009

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 28, 2023

Page count

196 pages

ISBN

978-1447363996

Dimensions

244 x 170 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 28, 2023

Page count

196 pages

ISBN

978-1447364016

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 28, 2023

Page count

196 pages

ISBN

978-1447364016

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Understanding Public Services

Dive inside this textbook for an accessible guide to the discipline of public services.

Perfect for students, it offers a comprehensive account of core public service topics and explains the fundamental elements of working in the public services. Outlining their role in the welfare state, it explores the policies, providers and legalities shaping the context in which public services operate.

Students will study concepts of organisational change, strategy, management, leadership and funding, and engage with timely discussions around contemporary public issues such as equality, sustainability and climate change. Key features to support student learning include:

•objectives at the beginning of each chapter;

•case studies and examples;

•end of chapter summaries;

•reflective questions;

•further reading recommendations and resources.

Bringing together authors with expertise in politics and public policy, social policy and law, this book is essential reading for everybody studying public services.

“A thoughtfully compiled introduction that provides a comprehensive, current and fresh account of public services. An indispensable guide to public services.” Matthias Freise, University of Münster

"This book provides a valuable introduction to the field of public services and social policy in the UK for (international) students, practitioners and policy makers." Andrea Walter, University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration in North Rhine-Westphalia

E.K. Sarter is Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick and was previously Senior Lecturer for Social Policy and Public Service Management at the University of South Wales.

Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey is Lecturer in Public Policy and Management at the University of York. She previously worked as Lecturer in Public Service Management at the University of South Wales.

Introduction: Defining and understanding public services - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey and E.K. Sarter

Part 1: Public services and the welfare state

1. Public services and public policies - E.K. Sarter

2. Mixed economy - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey

3. Public services and the law - Simon Read

Part 2: The internal dynamics of public services

4. Organisations and institutions - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey

5. Strategy and strategic management - Jennifer Law

6. Leadership and management - David Phillips and Simon Read

Part 3: Achieving social and environmental impact

7. Public services and the challenge of sustainability - E.K. Sarter

8. Public services and equality - E.K. Sarter, Wendy Booth and Vida Greaux

9. Public services and the environmental crisis - E.K. Sarter

10. Adapting organisations: public services, climate change and the energy transition - Filippos Proedrou

Conclusion: Current developments and the future of public services - Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey, E.K. Sarter, Wendy Booth, Vida Greaux, Stuart Jones, Jennifer Law, David Phillips, Filippos Proedrou and Simon Read