Full Description
This thoroughly revised and expanded new edition provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary social policy and addresses its historical, theoretical and contextual foundations as well as contemporary policy issues relating to health, education and welfare as well as the impact of Brexit.
Divided into four parts, it opens with a survey of the socio-economic, political and governmental contexts within which social policy operates, before moving on to look at the historical development of the subject. The third section examines contemporary aspects of providing welfare, whilst the final part covers European and wider international developments. The text explores the major topics and areas in contemporary social policy, for example:
work and welfare;
education;
adult health and social care;
children and families;
crime and criminal justice;
health;
housing;
race;
disability;
social care;
and includes new chapters on class as well as comparative social policy.
Issues are addressed throughout in a lively and accessible style, and examples are richly illustrated to encourage the student to engage with theory and content and to help highlight the relevance of social policy in our understanding of modern society. It is packed with features including 'Spotlight', 'Discussion and review' and 'Controversy and debate' boxes, as well as further readings and recommended websites. A comprehensive glossary also provides explanations of key terms and abbreviations.
This is an essential textbook for undergraduate students taking courses in social policy and related subjects such as criminology, health studies, politics, sociology, nursing, youth and social work.
Contents
1. Introducing Social Policy; Part 1: Context; 2. The Socio-economic Context of Social Policy; 3. The Politics and Governance of Social Policy; 4. Paying for the Welfare State and Taxation in the UK. 5. Devolution and Social Policy; 6. Research, Evidence and Social Policy; Part 2: The Development of Social Policy; 7. The Development of Social policy, 1800-1945; 8. Conservative Governments and the Welfare State since 1945; 9. Labour Governments and the Welfare State since 1945; Part 3: Themes and Issues; 10. Income Maintenance, Taxation, Pensions; 11. Employment and Labour Market Reforms: Towards a Residual Safety Net? 12. Education; 13. Adult Health and Social Care; 14. Social Policy and Class; 15. Children and Families; 16. Youth Justice: Changing Institutions, Changing Contexts; 17. Health Policy; 18. Housing Policy; 19. 'Race', Ethnicity and Social Policy; 20. Gender and Social Policy; 21. Disability and Social Policy; Part 4: European and International Developments; 22. The European Union and Social Policy; 23. Globalisation and Social Policy; 24. Conclusions
