Dr Elizabeth Peretz

Dr Peretz has short curly white hair. She is sat in front of a large bookcase, smiling.
Associate Member
01865 280337
elizabeth.peretz@spi.ox.ac.uk

Elizabeth Peretz is currently working on aspects of the history of Barnett House, especially in the period 1913 - 1964.

Find out more about the history of Barnett House.

She holds a PhD in History from Middlesex University and is 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 is currently a board member of 'WeOwnIt', an online organisation which campaigns to bring public services into public ownership.

Previous research:

Maternal and child welfare services in the interwar period, oral history, and early learning.

Current interests:

Social work 

  • A new programme for individualised budgets (self directed support) in local social services.
  • Pooled budgets and joint 'case management' for people with chronic illnesses in the community. 

History

  • 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
  • The growing relations between the Universities and government committees during 1913-1964.

In parallel she is currently examining the history of social work and the Settlement movement. She also contacted ex-Barnett House students and members of the Barnett House club for their memories as part of the Barnett House Centenary in 2014, alongside Teresa and George Smith.