Research Policy and Planning 33(1), the journal of SSRG in LARIA, is out now. It features an insightful article from authors who offer an analysis of findings from a series of ‘community of practice’ meetings which brought together academics, social work and housing practitioners to explore opportunities – in the light of changes to statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 – to provide better services for people described as experiencing ‘multiple morbidities’ (homelessness, mental and physical ill-health, and drug or alcohol misuse).

A powerful evaluation of the perceived failure of the National Eligibility Criteria for adult social care is also presented, plus an eloquent critique of funding, workforce, consumerism and market sustainability ‘fragilities’ leading to instability of the English social care market and an agenda for change.

Book reviews cover two very different aspects of social services; a salute to the professional testimony of Sharon Shoesmith about her experience in the eye of the media and political storm surrounding the homicide of ‘Baby P’, in addition to a look at a wide range of innovatory research methods in social work – or perhaps understood as innovatory for social work.