Social Issues and the Social Services

Times of radical change inevitably carry with them seeds of frustration and disappointment. People, it seems, are unable accurately to evaluate the consequences of any major development, but insist upon anticipating Utopia, where usually only the potential for relatively minor improvements exists. If there has been excessive criticism of the current situation, the resultant frustrations and disappointments with the new position are likely to be all the greater. This deficiency is by no means exclusive to the enthusiastic layman but is a condition also experienced by the 'experts' in the forefront of change.

Writers of official reports, not unnaturally, are reluctant to see their recommendations 'plop' into the pool of oblivion, but would rather leave their mark upon the history of mankind. To be highly critical of the present (as a justification for the need for change); to be over-optimistic about the future (as an incentive for following their particular recommendations); and to urge speedy transformation from one state to the other (in order that the writers might quickly see the fruits of their efforts), are characteristic of many reports. The Seebohm Report (1968) was no exception.