The Student's Companion to Social Policy

This fully updated and expanded edition of the bestselling Student’s Companion to Social Policy charts the latest developments, research, challenges, and controversies in the field in a concise, authoritative format. Written by a team of experts working at the forefront of social policy, it provides students with the analytical base from which to investigate and evaluate key concepts, perspectives, policies, and outcomes in the UK and beyond.

The fifth edition now features a new section on devolution and social policy in the UK, and an enhanced discussion of international and comparative issues. It also includes new coverage of ‘nudge’-based policies, austerity politics, sustainable welfare, working age conditionality, social movements, policy learning and transfer, and social policy in the BRIC countries. As with previous editions, it sets the standard for textbooks in social policy by providing essential information for anyone studying social policy - from undergraduates on introductory courses to those pursuing postgraduate or professional programmes. It is a resource to which students will turn again and again throughout their studies. 

The updated website to accompany the book features a variety of resources to facilitate independent learning and skill development, including chapter overviews, study questions, guides to key sources and career opportunities, a key term glossary, and more.