Social Policy And Its Administration

Comprises 33 papers grouped under five themes: The Nature of social policy; The History of social policy; Social policy and the social services; The Political economy of social policy; and International and future perspectives on social policy.

Social Policy: Theory and practice is a fully revised, updated and extended edition of a bestselling social policy textbook, extensively reworked and adapted to meet the needs of its international readership. The book lays out the architecture of social policy as a field of study, binding the discussion of theory to the understanding of social policy in practice. It aims to provide students and practitioners with a sense of the scope, range and purpose of the subject while developing critical awareness of problems, issues and common fallacies. Written in an accessible and engaging style, it explains what social policy is and why it matters; looks at social policy in its social context; considers policy, the role of the state and the social services; explores issues in social administration and service delivery; and focuses on the methods and approaches of the subject. For practitioners, there are discussions of the techniques and approaches used to apply social policy in practice. For students, there are boxes raising issues and reviewing case studies, questions for discussion and a detailed glossary. The book’s distinctive, path–breaking approach makes it invaluable for students studying social policy at a range levels, professionals and practitioners in the field of social policy.

Drawing together multidisciplinary research exploring everyday life in Europe during times of economic crisis, this book explores the ways in which austerity policies are lived and experienced - often alongside other significant social, political and personal change. With attention to the inequalities produced by these processes and the measures used by individuals, families and communities to help them ‘get by’, it also envisages hopeful, affirmative socio-political futures. Arranged around the themes of intergenerational relations and exchanges, ways of coping through crises, and community, civic and state infrastructures, Austerity Across Europe will appeal to social scientists with interests in everyday life, family practices, neoliberal state policy, poverty and socio-economic inequalities.

Explains how to analyze social policy and programs and how to design new programs or evaluate and improve existing ones. Analysis, evaluation and design of social policy and programs. Students of Social Work Policy or Social Work practitioners interested in learning more about the analysis, evaluation and design of social policy and programs.

The second edition of this classic text from acclaimed author Paul Spicker introduces students to the concepts and methods of social policy. It provides a sense of the scope, range and purpose of the subject while developing critical awareness of problems, issues and common fallacies. The distinctive and original book has been thoughtfully revised, extending beyond the updating of material to refinement and improvement of the book's structure. Divided into four parts, it explains what social policy is and why it matters; looks at social policy in its social context, including social structures, problems and needs; considers policy, the role of the state and the social services; looks at social administration and service delivery; and focuses on the methods and approaches of the subject, discussing the application of theory to practice, research and policy analysis.FeaturesRevised, enlarged and fully updated second editionProvides a thematic introduction to the concepts underlying the provision of social welfare and the processes by which welfare is organised and deliveredBrings an emphasis on theories, approaches and methods that complements other books in the fieldDraws on materials from a range of disciplines, including sociology, political theory and economics and public and social administrationStudent-friendly features, including case studies/dilemma boxes and questions for discussion in each chapter, a detailed glossary and student notesWritten in an accessible style, the book will be widely used by students of social policy, welfare and the social sciences across the world. It can be used both as a core text and as an essential complement to other reading and will be invaluable for students studying social policy at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as students on professional courses in social work, housing and health studies.

An Introduction to Social Policy explores essential welfare topics, themes and issues for students studying social policy or related disciplines such as sociology, social work, or nursing and social care. - Part One examines key concepts including welfare, social justice, diversity and health and well-being. - Part Two explores policy issues in relation to key stages of the lifecourse. - Part Three takes a comparative perspective, discussing the international issues and supranational bodies that impact on British and European social policy today. The concise chapters define the key terms and outline the central debates, giving students a fundamental foundation for their degree. Chapter overviews and summaries guide readers through the book, and questions for reflection conclude each chapter to test readers′ knowledge. This book is essential reading for all students of social policy and the social sciences, as well as those taking joint honours programmes in social work, sociology, criminology, politics and social care. Peter Dwyer is Professor of Social Policy at the University of Salford. Sandra Shaw is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Salford.

The purpose of this book is to survey the literature on social welfare policies and planning of different nations in order to explain some of the major problems that are encountered in comparative research and to highlight what has been learned so far.