What does an outcomes-based perspective bring to an understanding of care and caring?

It has been argued that a relational perspective is vital for an understanding of care and caring. This is difficult to contest, since care and caring exist in and through relationships. Yet the direction of public policy in the UK, and elsewhere, has been to emphasise outcomes-based policy-making. This approach draws upon evidence of the effectiveness of policy, service delivery and/or practice-based interventions drawn from evaluation of their impact on outcomes for individuals. This paper critically explores the potential contribution, as well as the limitations, of an outcomes-based perspective.