I just find that we, as pilots, are let down in some respect by the lack of separation we should expect when in possible confliction of non IFR traffic.
Interesting comment - would you care to expand on that?
The idea behind the lack of separation is actually common sense. The VFR is flying visually, and as such is operating under "see and avoid" - the traffic information he's passed ensures he sees you - the traffic info you're passed lets you know he's out there but will (ok - should) avoid you.
Providing the above happens you shouldn't require any more separation intervention by ATC, and as such, in certain classes of airspace, you shouldn't really expect it.
You said possible conflict - I would suggest that means there may or, equally, may not be one. I suspect
recognised conflict is what you really meant.
Maybe this is symptomatic of the UK's use and allocation of airspace - totally different to everybody else's and as such is actually misunderstod by many users (from both sides).