Elizabeth Peretz

Personal Info

Elizabeth Peretz is currently working on aspects of the history of Barnett House, especially in the period 1913 - 1964. She is especially interested in the role social surveys played in developing citizenship, the perceived role of the volunteer in democratic processes, the developing relationship between voluntary organisations and state (national and local) services especially in health and in social care, and the growing relations between the Universities and government committees during this period.

In parallel she is beginning to examine the history of social work and the Settlement movement, so central to Barnett House, and with Teresa and George Smith will be contacting ex Barnett House students and members of the Barnett House club for their memories over the next two years in preparation for the Barnett House Centenary in 2014.

Dr Peretz previous research has covered maternal and child welfare services in the interwar period. She has recently retired from a joint local government and primary care post as head of a small unit working to combine budgets and services for people with mental health problems, learning difficulties and older people at a local level. She still works occasionally on a new programme for individualised budgets (self directed support) in local social services. She has published and lectured on pooled budgets and joint 'case management' for people with chronic illnesses in the community.