This is something of a best seller and it is easy to understand why. It will serve the needs of both Level 1 and other students of social policy well [and] it carries off the exploration of specific theoretical issues within discrete policy areas particularly well. Social Policy & Administration This is an extremely useful updated text for students of social policy and other related areas, such as social work. The book is clearly written and enables students to develop an understanding of how and why social policies are constructed. Key points are well made and highlighted examples/boxes are provided in the text. There is reference made at the end of each chapter to further reading. Bernard Melling, University of Salford