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.
List of figures and tables
List of contributors
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introducing Social Policy
Hugh Bochel and Guy Daly
Part 1: Context
2. The Socio-economic Context of Social Policy
Nick Ellison
3. The Politics and Governance of Social Policy
Catherine Bochel, Hugh Bochel and Guy Daly
4. Paying for the Welfare State and Taxation in the UK
Sally Ruane and Dave Byrne
5. Devolution and Social Policy
Sharon Wright and Mark Simpson
6. Research, Evidence and Social Policy
Hugh Bochel and Guy Daly
Part 2: The Development of Social Policy
7. The Development of Social policy, 1800–1945
Bernard Harris
8. Conservative Governments and the Welfare State since 1945
Robert M. Page
9. Labour Governments and the Welfare State since 1945
Robert M. Page
Part 3: Themes and Issues
10. Income Maintenance, Taxation, Pensions.
Stephen McKay and Karen Rowlingson
11. Employment and Labour Market Reforms: Towards a Residual Safety Net?
Anne Daguerre
12. Education
Hugh Bochel and Guy Daly
13. Adult Health and Social Care
Jon Glasby and Guy Daly
14. Social Policy and Class
Stephen Crossley
15. Children and Families
Harriet Churchill
16. Youth Justice: Changing Institutions, Changing Contexts
Peter Squires
17. Health Policy
Martin Powell
18. Housing Policy
Guy Daly and Brian Lund
19. 'Race', Ethnicity and Social Policy
Norman Ginsburg
20. Gender and Social Policy
Kirstein Rummery
21. Disability and Social Policy
Alan Roulstone with Hugh Bochel
Part 4: European and International Developments
22. The European Union and Social Policy
Jonathan Hobson and Harry Cowen
23. Globalisation and Social Policy
Harry Cowen, Demelza Jones and Kasia Narkowicz
24. Conclusions
Hugh Bochel and Guy Daly
Glossary
Index
Biography
Hugh Bochel is Professor of Public Policy at the University of Lincoln, UK.
Guy Daly is Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University, UK.
