This is an innovative text aimed at social work students and designed to develop their knowledge and understanding of social policy and how to best apply this in practice. It demonstrates how they can use such skills to support vulnerable individuals, groups and communities to achieve positive change. The relevance of social policy to people with lived experience of social work intervention is examined, and students are given the underpinning critical skills to prepare them for social work placements in various settings, and for their professional lives as qualified social work practitioners. Understanding and applying social policy is a core principle of social work which should inform practice and be used to achieve positive outcomes for service users. Students need to understand the relevance of social policy to social work practice. This book provides an overview of the historical background and the ideologies that have shaped social policy, including an analysis of the five pillars: income, health, education, housing and social services.
It is a clear and accessible resource for social work students that will given them a fuller understanding of the importance of social policy and how social issues intersect for service users. There is also a study skills chapter to support students with their academic studies and beyond.
By:
Laura Mullen
Imprint: Critical Publishing Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 246mm,
Width: 174mm,
Spine: 9mm
Weight: 325g
ISBN: 9781916925267
ISBN 10: 191692526X
Pages: 174
Publication Date: 05 August 2025
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Introduction Section 1 – History, ideologies and perspectives in social policy for social work practice Chapter 1: Background of social policy and social work Chapter 2: Ideologies and perspectives in social policy Chapter 3: Social justice, equality and inclusion Section 2 – The five main areas of social policy Chapter 4: Income Chapter 5: Health Chapter 6: Education Chapter 7: Housing Chapter 8: Social Services/Personal Services Section 3 – People with lived experience Chapter 9: Children and families Chapter 10: Children with special educational needs Chapter 11: Adults with physical and learning disabilities Chapter 12: Ageing adults Chapter 13: Asylum seekers and refugees Section 4 - Study skills Chapter 14: Tool kit and resources to support social workers Conclusion References
Laura Mullen is the course leader for the BA social work programme and a senior lecturer at London South Bank University. She is currently completing her PhD on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the development of children and young people with SEND. Laura is module lead for social policy modules for both the BA and MA social work programmes. She is a qualified social worker with a key interest in working with children with SEND and adults with dementia.
