Social work and social welfare practitioners, students, managers and educators are having to work in situations involving considerable uncertainty and change. Major legislative and policy developments, altering patterns of delivery and the changing experiences of clients groups are having a significant impact upon practice and thinking. The yearbook explores some of the movements and developments and provides material which help to root these ethically, socially and politically. As in the previous volume the editors have brought together a collection of accessible material about the direction and nature of practice and thinking. Material which aims to update and review current and potential practice developments, policy changes and research allow readers to maintain a broad perspective on social welfare and facilitate critical debate.