Adult social work is a complex and demanding area of practice that is constantly evolving. Practitioners in the field need to develop a depth of understanding, critical analysis, reflection and creativity as well as a capacity for dealing with change and the challenges that arise as a consequence. This invaluable book explores developments in working with adults from the days of the Poor Laws to current policies on personalisation in a dynamic and informative way.

Written with expertise gained either through professional roles or through life experience (and sometimes both), the book captures the voices and personal experiences of practitioners and service users, as well as those of academics and trainers. These experts examine the social and political contexts that frame social work and share their insights and understanding around the topic, bringing the dilemmas and discourses to life.

This is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as those already working with adults in social work and social care, who will find new ideas and innovative perspectives to enhance their practice.

Contributors: Ian Devereux, Felicity Elvidge, Donna Francis, Keith French, Edith Lewis, Charley Melville-Wiseman, Julie Potten, Marilyn Russell, Louise Watch, Mark Wiles and Yolaine Jacquelin.

"This is a well written, authoritative and accessible text that would be a good resource for anyone wanting to learn about social work with adults in the UK. Each chapter is well organised, with clearly expressed learning outcomes and with thoughtful activities included to support learning."
Dr Peter Scourfield, Peter Scourfield, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

"Few texts capture or combine the perspectives and experiences of both adult service users and those social workers who seek to support and work alongside them. This one does and should be applauded for this. The reader gains a real sense of each contributor as a person and as a professional and/or service user. This is, above all, a positive, forward-looking book and one which I recommend to students, practice educators and university lecturers alike."
Jem Price, Social Worker and Senior Lecturer, University of Brighton, UK

"The ever-changing face of adult social care means that there is considerable need for a title like this, for practitioners and students struggling to understand the shifting sands on which they work. I consider this a very useful resource."
Dr Andy Mantell, Senior Lecturer, Social Work Dept, University of Chichester, UK