Description

Book Synopsis
The new edition of the bestselling guide to the issues students will encounter in the study of social policy in both the UK and abroad Fully updated and expanded, the sixth edition of The Student's Companion to Social Policy remains the most accessible and comprehensive review of UK and comparative social policy available for undergraduate students. Written and edited by leading experts in the field, this authoritative textbook covers all the perspectives, debates, issues and challenges in both the theory and practice of social policy. The latest edition reflects the most recent developments in the discipline and in social policy-making. New and revised chapters examine critical topics such as the policy agenda of the UK government elected in 2019 and the implications of globalization, climate change, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. A wealth of new and revised illustrative material, including additional problem-centred review and assignment questions, enhance students' learning and comprehension whilst encouraging them to reflect on and reconsider the issues raised in each social policy discussion. A timely, issue-driven overview for students to draw upon throughout their studies, this acclaimed textbook: Provides the analytical foundation necessary to investigate and evaluate the key concepts and perspectives central to the study of social policyPresents up-to-date coverage of policy formation and outcomes, national and international debates and the challenges and choices facing societiesFeatures new and revised coverage of key issues including international and comparative developments, austerity and post-austerity policies in the UK and devolved administrations, public attitudes to welfare and sustainability challengesOffers a range of pedagogical tools such as boxed 5-point summary overviews, Emerging Issues sections, guides to further resources and chapter review questions The Student's Companion to Social Policy, Sixth Edition is essential reading for all those on Social Policy courses, whether specialising in the subject or studying it as part of another programme across the social sciences at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Table of Contents

Notes on Contributors xi

Introduction 1

Part I Concepts and Approaches 3

1 What is Social Policy? 5
Pete Alcock

2 Researching Social Policy 11
Vikki McCall

3 Social Needs, Social Problems, Social Welfare and Well-being 18
Nick Manning

4 Equality, Rights and Social Justice 24
Peter Taylor-Gooby

5 Human Rights and Equality 31
Deirdre Flanigan and Alison Hosie

6 Efficiency, Equity and Choice 38
Carol Propper

7 Citizenship 45
Peter Dwyer

8 Changing Behaviour 52
Jessica Pykett

Part II Key Perspectives 59

9 Neoliberalism 61
Nick Ellison

10 The Conservative Tradition 67
Hugh Bochel

11 Social Democracy 73
Robert M. Page

12 The Socialist Perspective 79
Hartley Dean

13 Feminist Perspectives 86
Shona Hunter

14 Social Movements 92
Louisa Parks

15 Postmodernist Perspectives 98
Enrico Reuter

Part III Historical Context 105

16 Nineteenth-century Beginnings 107
Bernard Harris

17 The Liberal Era and the Growth of State Welfare 113
Lee Gregory

18 The Modern Welfare State, 1940–1974 119
Robert M. Page

19 Crisis, Retrenchment and the Impact of Neoliberalism, 1976–1997 125
Howard Glennerster

20 Modernisation and the Third Way, 1997–2010 131
Martin Powell

21 Austerity Politics and Beyond 137
Martin Powell

Part IV Devolution and Social Policy in the United Kingdom 143

22 Social Policy and Devolution 145
Richard Parry

23 Social Policy in Northern Ireland 152
Ann Marie Gray and Derek Birrell

24 Social Policy in Scotland 159
Lynne Poole

25 Social Policy in Wales 166
Paul Chaney

Part V Contemporary Context and Challenges 173

26 The Climate Change and Sustainability Challenge 175
Adeline Otto

27 The Demographic Challenge 182
Jane Falkingham and Athina Vlachantoni

28 The Economic Context 190
Kevin Farnsworth and Zoë Irving

29 The Role of Religion 197
Rana Jawad

30 Divisions and Difference 203
Peter Matthews and Sharon Wright

31 ‘Race’, Minority Ethnic Groups and Social Welfare 209
Steve Iafrati

32 Poverty and Social Exclusion 216
Simon Pemberton and Gerardo Javier Arriaga-García

33 The Distribution of Welfare 222
John Hills

Part VI Welfare Production and Provision 229

34 State Welfare 231
Catherine Bochel

35 Paying for Welfare 237
Howard Glennerster

36 Taxation and Social Policy 244
Micheál L. Collins, Sally Ruane and Adrian Sinfield

37 Commercial Welfare 252
Chris Holden

38 Occupational Welfare 258
Margaret May

39 Civil Society Organisations and Welfare 266
Rob Macmillan

40 Informal Welfare 272
Stacey Rand

41 Welfare Users and Social Policy 280
Catherine Needham

Part VII Welfare Governance 287

42 The Policy Process 289
Hugh Bochel

43 Managing and Delivering Welfare 295
Ian Greener

44 Accountability for Welfare 301
Jackie Gulland

45 Local and Regional Governance 308
Guy Daly and Howard Davis

Part VIII Welfare Domains 315

46 Income Maintenance and Social Security 317
Stephen McKay and Karen Rowlingson

47 Employment 324
Adam Whitworth and Eleanor Carter

48 Healthcare 331
Catherine Marchand

49 Public Health 338
Tina Haux

50 Education in Schools 345
Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey

51 Lifelong Learning and Training 352
Claire Callender

52 Housing 359
David Mullins and Halima Sacranie

53 Social Care 366
Jon Glasby

54 Criminal Justice 373
Tim Newburn

Part IX Experiencing Welfare 381

55 Experiences of Working-age Benefits 383
Ruth Patrick

56 Family Policy 389
Tina Haux

57 Children 395
Kitty Stewart

58 Young People 401
Aniela Wenham and Bob Coles

59 Older People 408
Kate Hamblin

60 Disability 414
Mark Priestley

61 Migrants 420
Rebecca E. Murray

Part X International and Comparative Context 427

62 Comparative and International Analysis 429
Margaret May

63 Policy Learning and Transfer 436
Laura Bainbridge and John Hudson

64 The European Union and Social Policy 442
Linda Hantrais

65 Social Policy in Europe 449
Daniel Clegg

66 Social Policy in the United States 455
Phillip M. Singer and Scott L. Greer

67 Social Policy in East Asia 462
Misa Izuhara and Wenjing Zhang

68 Social Policy in the BRICS countries 469
Rebecca Surender and Amrit Virk

69 Social Policy in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) 476
Rana Jawad

70 Social Policy in Low-income Countries 485
Patricia Kennett and Angelique Retief

71 Globalisation, International Organisations and Social Policy 494
Nicola Yeates

Appendix: The Social Policy Association (SPA) 501

Index 503

The Students Companion to Social Policy

    Product form

    £35.10

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £36.95 – you save £1.85 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Mon 22 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Pete Alcock, Tina Haux, Vikki McCall

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Students Companion to Social Policy by Pete Alcock

      Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
      Publication Date: 05/05/2022
      ISBN13: 9781119744870, 978-1119744870
      ISBN10: 1119744873
      Also in:
      Public administration / Public policy Science & Nature Chemistry

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The new edition of the bestselling guide to the issues students will encounter in the study of social policy in both the UK and abroad Fully updated and expanded, the sixth edition of The Student's Companion to Social Policy remains the most accessible and comprehensive review of UK and comparative social policy available for undergraduate students. Written and edited by leading experts in the field, this authoritative textbook covers all the perspectives, debates, issues and challenges in both the theory and practice of social policy. The latest edition reflects the most recent developments in the discipline and in social policy-making. New and revised chapters examine critical topics such as the policy agenda of the UK government elected in 2019 and the implications of globalization, climate change, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. A wealth of new and revised illustrative material, including additional problem-centred review and assignment questions, enhance students' learning and comprehension whilst encouraging them to reflect on and reconsider the issues raised in each social policy discussion. A timely, issue-driven overview for students to draw upon throughout their studies, this acclaimed textbook: Provides the analytical foundation necessary to investigate and evaluate the key concepts and perspectives central to the study of social policyPresents up-to-date coverage of policy formation and outcomes, national and international debates and the challenges and choices facing societiesFeatures new and revised coverage of key issues including international and comparative developments, austerity and post-austerity policies in the UK and devolved administrations, public attitudes to welfare and sustainability challengesOffers a range of pedagogical tools such as boxed 5-point summary overviews, Emerging Issues sections, guides to further resources and chapter review questions The Student's Companion to Social Policy, Sixth Edition is essential reading for all those on Social Policy courses, whether specialising in the subject or studying it as part of another programme across the social sciences at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

      Table of Contents

      Notes on Contributors xi

      Introduction 1

      Part I Concepts and Approaches 3

      1 What is Social Policy? 5
      Pete Alcock

      2 Researching Social Policy 11
      Vikki McCall

      3 Social Needs, Social Problems, Social Welfare and Well-being 18
      Nick Manning

      4 Equality, Rights and Social Justice 24
      Peter Taylor-Gooby

      5 Human Rights and Equality 31
      Deirdre Flanigan and Alison Hosie

      6 Efficiency, Equity and Choice 38
      Carol Propper

      7 Citizenship 45
      Peter Dwyer

      8 Changing Behaviour 52
      Jessica Pykett

      Part II Key Perspectives 59

      9 Neoliberalism 61
      Nick Ellison

      10 The Conservative Tradition 67
      Hugh Bochel

      11 Social Democracy 73
      Robert M. Page

      12 The Socialist Perspective 79
      Hartley Dean

      13 Feminist Perspectives 86
      Shona Hunter

      14 Social Movements 92
      Louisa Parks

      15 Postmodernist Perspectives 98
      Enrico Reuter

      Part III Historical Context 105

      16 Nineteenth-century Beginnings 107
      Bernard Harris

      17 The Liberal Era and the Growth of State Welfare 113
      Lee Gregory

      18 The Modern Welfare State, 1940–1974 119
      Robert M. Page

      19 Crisis, Retrenchment and the Impact of Neoliberalism, 1976–1997 125
      Howard Glennerster

      20 Modernisation and the Third Way, 1997–2010 131
      Martin Powell

      21 Austerity Politics and Beyond 137
      Martin Powell

      Part IV Devolution and Social Policy in the United Kingdom 143

      22 Social Policy and Devolution 145
      Richard Parry

      23 Social Policy in Northern Ireland 152
      Ann Marie Gray and Derek Birrell

      24 Social Policy in Scotland 159
      Lynne Poole

      25 Social Policy in Wales 166
      Paul Chaney

      Part V Contemporary Context and Challenges 173

      26 The Climate Change and Sustainability Challenge 175
      Adeline Otto

      27 The Demographic Challenge 182
      Jane Falkingham and Athina Vlachantoni

      28 The Economic Context 190
      Kevin Farnsworth and Zoë Irving

      29 The Role of Religion 197
      Rana Jawad

      30 Divisions and Difference 203
      Peter Matthews and Sharon Wright

      31 ‘Race’, Minority Ethnic Groups and Social Welfare 209
      Steve Iafrati

      32 Poverty and Social Exclusion 216
      Simon Pemberton and Gerardo Javier Arriaga-García

      33 The Distribution of Welfare 222
      John Hills

      Part VI Welfare Production and Provision 229

      34 State Welfare 231
      Catherine Bochel

      35 Paying for Welfare 237
      Howard Glennerster

      36 Taxation and Social Policy 244
      Micheál L. Collins, Sally Ruane and Adrian Sinfield

      37 Commercial Welfare 252
      Chris Holden

      38 Occupational Welfare 258
      Margaret May

      39 Civil Society Organisations and Welfare 266
      Rob Macmillan

      40 Informal Welfare 272
      Stacey Rand

      41 Welfare Users and Social Policy 280
      Catherine Needham

      Part VII Welfare Governance 287

      42 The Policy Process 289
      Hugh Bochel

      43 Managing and Delivering Welfare 295
      Ian Greener

      44 Accountability for Welfare 301
      Jackie Gulland

      45 Local and Regional Governance 308
      Guy Daly and Howard Davis

      Part VIII Welfare Domains 315

      46 Income Maintenance and Social Security 317
      Stephen McKay and Karen Rowlingson

      47 Employment 324
      Adam Whitworth and Eleanor Carter

      48 Healthcare 331
      Catherine Marchand

      49 Public Health 338
      Tina Haux

      50 Education in Schools 345
      Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey

      51 Lifelong Learning and Training 352
      Claire Callender

      52 Housing 359
      David Mullins and Halima Sacranie

      53 Social Care 366
      Jon Glasby

      54 Criminal Justice 373
      Tim Newburn

      Part IX Experiencing Welfare 381

      55 Experiences of Working-age Benefits 383
      Ruth Patrick

      56 Family Policy 389
      Tina Haux

      57 Children 395
      Kitty Stewart

      58 Young People 401
      Aniela Wenham and Bob Coles

      59 Older People 408
      Kate Hamblin

      60 Disability 414
      Mark Priestley

      61 Migrants 420
      Rebecca E. Murray

      Part X International and Comparative Context 427

      62 Comparative and International Analysis 429
      Margaret May

      63 Policy Learning and Transfer 436
      Laura Bainbridge and John Hudson

      64 The European Union and Social Policy 442
      Linda Hantrais

      65 Social Policy in Europe 449
      Daniel Clegg

      66 Social Policy in the United States 455
      Phillip M. Singer and Scott L. Greer

      67 Social Policy in East Asia 462
      Misa Izuhara and Wenjing Zhang

      68 Social Policy in the BRICS countries 469
      Rebecca Surender and Amrit Virk

      69 Social Policy in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) 476
      Rana Jawad

      70 Social Policy in Low-income Countries 485
      Patricia Kennett and Angelique Retief

      71 Globalisation, International Organisations and Social Policy 494
      Nicola Yeates

      Appendix: The Social Policy Association (SPA) 501

      Index 503

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account