Research and Practice: Patch and Participation: The Case for Citizen Research

Abstract

This article discusses existing research on patch based social services and evaluates it in the light of the principles and characteristics associated with patch. It points to the limitations of such research, particularly the dearth of information from the perspective of service users, grassroots workers and local people. It argues for an alternative approach to research on patch, based on discussion and the democratisation of the research process. The authors illustrate their argument by reference to the participatory research project in which they are involved on local perceptions of social services, patch reorganisation and social need in Brighton, East Sussex.