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.
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.
An essential book to help students understand social policy. Used with second year foundation degree students who found this an excellent resource in helping them get to grips with themes and concepts of social policy.
A good book for background reading mon social policy helps set the scene for further reading and development
Good overview of social policy considerations for social work students
A highly relevant and well written text that explores and introduces the key concepts relevant to social policy. Ideal for our students who undertake a 1st year module with the same title.
The book presents a complete and updated overview on welfare topics, themes and issues. The basic but specific vocabulary and the use of examples let students understand the complex subject. I would suggest to add more international cases and to deepen South European or South American literature about the topic to engage also students coming from different states with different welfare systems.
Excellent book, directly covers issues which are sometimes difficult for students to wrap their heads around.
This is an outstanding book, full of up to date information presented in a very readable way. I have made this an essential read for my leadership in healthcare module.
This book provides a good overall coverage for students who need to have a general but full overview of what social policy is and how it fits together within the contexts that I teach.
