The Development of Relational Care in Formal Care Services for Older People: Its Dimensions, Role and Impact

Relational care represents a new approach to delivering care to older people in formal care settings, and a progression from organisation-centred, medical models and person-centred care. This concept has been observed, identified and analysed by the author, from the publication of her first book on the topic, until it was adopted by the Open University as the subject of further research. The focus of the thesis is on formal care settings, but the wider application of the practice and its potential are also considered in the final sections.

Relational care offers a distinctive range of dimensions and benefits, with reciprocity between individuals and across a network of people within the care setting being central to realising these. This thesis draws on the published works of the author - books, articles, research reports and learning tools - written over a period of 12 years.

The thesis draws together the following critical aspects pertaining to the nature and practice of relational care in a progression of sections referencing the author's own and other published works:

• Its dimensions, features and benefits

• Its position within accepted theoretical frameworks

• What distinguishes it from other care models, and how it has developed from these

• The conditions required for the practice of relational care to flourish, and the roles of providers, managers, frontline staff and the physical environment in facilitating these

• Learning tools developed by the Open University to which the author has contributed

• The wider impact and influence of relational care on provision, practice, research and the adult social care sector

• Constraints on, and limitations of relational care: structural and wider policy issues, tensions between human and organisational behaviour; the influence of provider priorities and concerns.

The thesis concludes with a reflection on the future of relational care and appendices offering practical information and guidelines.