This engaging book introduces the core themes in social work, and encourages students and practitioners to connect with the important debates surrounding these themes and challenges them to revisit the direction social work is and should be going in. The key contexts of social work are explored using knowledge from the disciplines of social theory, politics, sociology, psychology and ethics.

The content is enlivened by:

• The voices of students, service users and practitioners
• Current and topical content on social work, poverty, politics, power and values
• A discussion style format to help readers engage with the topics
• An extensive range of sources of knowledge and theory
• Key summary points at the end of each chapter
• Group discussion questions at the end of each chapter

 This book will contribute to social work students and practitioners thinking about the world in which they live and operate as professionals.