An Introduction to Social Policy
- Peter Dwyer - University of York, UK
- Sandra Shaw - Salford University, UK
- 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.
This book contains the relevant information to assist students in understanding the basics of social policy in preparation for more in depth courses.
This is an excellent book providing an overview of social policy in the UK and within a European and global context. At undergraduate level this book really hits the mark. Key subjects are covered well and offer a helpful springboard to further reading of the subject.
Useful text, well organised and up to date issues discussed in a UK context.
A useful text to help student become acquainted with social policy concerns
The book provides an excellent introduction to the world of Social Policy. Part 3, in particular, offers students an accessible entry point to engaging with the question of globalisation.
This book is very interesting especially because of the clear division of thematic chapters. Taking into account the "life course perspective" in social policy should be assessed positively. Although this book takes into account almost mainly British experience and solutions it also includes important chapters describing the outline of the international social policy.
This is an excellent introductory text on social policy. Complext concepts and terms are introduced in a very approachable manner and I believe students will find it highly helpful.
Excellent range of topics covered. Gives students an in-depth and crucial understanding of the context of social work
With the parctice and procedures of criminal justice agencies now driven by the everchanging public policy decision makers, understanding how policy is developed and refined is vital to understand many of the debates in criminal justice.
This book is an excellent introductory text for new students of social policy. It provides a comprehensive but highly readable overview of key social policy concepts; a very useful 'lifecourse' framework; and an engaging introduction to comparative social policy. It is being adopted as a key text for SWP2141 Social Policy Workshops, to provide the theoretical basis for students to prepare their first social policy presentations in the course.
