An introduction to social policy / edited by Peter Dwyer and Sandra Shaw.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

An Introduction to social policy explores essential topics, themes and issues for students studying social policy or related disciplines such as sociology, social work, or nursing and social care. Part 1 examines key concepts including welfare, social justice, diversity and well-being. Part 2 explores policy issues in relation to key stages of the lifecourse. Part 3 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. - Publisher.

Part 1: Key concepts. Welfare / John Hudson ; Social Justice / Peter Dwyer ; Social exclusion / Mel Walker ; Difference and diversity / Mel Walker ; Health and well-being / Margaret Coffey and Lindsey Dugdill. -- Part 2: Policy and the life course. Families and children / Sandra Shaw ; Young people / Sandra Shaw ; Older people / Rita Haworth ; Death and the end of life / Karen Kinghorn. -- Part 3: Comparative and supranational dimensions of policy. Devolution in the UK / Karen Kinghorn ; Comparative welfare / Sandra Shaw ; The European union and social policy / Paul Copeland ; Global social policy: Globalized health policy / Sandra Shaw ; Social policy and the environment / Anya Ahmed.