Local Authrty Soc Services: An Introduction - Hardcover

"The writing is accessible, well balanced and up to date student texts is a difficult task, of which in the field of social policy Michael Hill is the incomparable past-master. Here he has spotted a gap in the market, the lack of a book covering all the manifold and rather baggy activities performed by local authority social service departments...this is a timely book."--Tony Rees, University of Southampton "The strength of this book lies in the quality of analysis and its ability to capture and discuss critically the impact of the government's modernization agenda. It should have a place in all departmental libraries."-- Terry Bamford, Community Care "This book is unique in providing a clear framework for understanding the relationship between social policy and social services, and the complex structures and roles of the different organizations involved in the operation of social services ... It is one of the few texts that provide a clear picture of how to make sense of the bureaucratic organizational structures that surround social services ... in all the book is an important text for the social worker or student in understanding the relationship between social services, local authority and the central state." (Journal of Social Work)

This new textbook provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to the main context in which social work is practiced - Local Authority Social Services. It is based on the realities of work in a modern social services authority and is written by an author team which combines teaching and writing expertise with the experience of working in the social services. The book covers all the local authority personal social services and the frameworks within which they operate. It addresses the major changes that have taken place in the social services in recent years and looks forward to prospects for personal social services in the future.