In the 1960s, the work of caring for the quarter of a million people – men, women and children – who lived in old people's homes, approved schools, hostels for the handicapped and so on was one which needed great skill and knowledge. There was already difficulty in recruiting enough of the right kind of staff for this purpose, and the problem would grow more serious, both on account of the increasing numbers to be cared for and the competition from other kinds of employment.

Originally published in 1967, this Report was the result of the deliberations of a committee of enquiry of experts, most of who had been intimately concerned with the residential services, either statutory or voluntary, for many years. It analysed the problems concerning those who were engaged in this difficult, skilful and rewarding task, and suggested ways in which they could be helped by their employers, their committees and the community. It made many recommendations covering conditions of work, recruitment and the career structure. It laid special stress on the need for training and outlined a possible scheme of training at different levels.

This long-awaited Report, written with knowledge and compassion, would be widely read by government departments, by Local Authorities and by all those concerned with people in care. It became something of a landmark in the development of the social services.