How can sociological perspectives help us make sense of contemporary social policy? How has the discipline of social policy engaged in recent sociological debates and developments? This book provides a variety of sociological frameworks for understanding contemporary social policy. It explores how sociological perspectives may be used to theorize, conceptualize and research social policy. Amanda Coffey captures the different ways in which social policy can be understood - as academic discipline, policy process, service provision and lived experience. The book engages with a range of policy areas and client groups, and pays attention to sociodemographic categories such as gender, 'race', class and age. Themes include: The body and processes of embodiment Citizenship and identity Equality and differences Space and time Research and representation Reconceptualizing Social Policy is a key text for students and lecturers in sociology and social policy.

How successful has Britain been in accommodating racial, religious and cultural diversity in the education system? Have there been contradictory policies that have encouraged migrant labour, while urging immigration control? Has the introduction of market principles to education created further problems for ethnic minorities? This book provides crucial information on key educational issues, events and conflicts in Britain from the 1960s to the present day, as the education system has attempted to incorporate racial and ethnic minorities and educate young people to live in an ethnically diverse society. It uses examples such as political and media reactions to Afro hairstyles in the 1970s through to hijabs and niquabs today, to illustrate how misplaced are the simplistic arguments that blame multiculturalism or minorities for segregation or lack of community cohesion. Race and Education: Policy and Politics in Britain describes how over the decades schools, teachers, parents, local communities and local authorities have worked towards the incorporation of minority children into the education system. It asserts that negative and contradictory policies by governments and a continued climate of hostility to those variously labelled as immigrant, ethnic minority, or non-white has made this extremely difficult. The book sets educational issues and events within a wider social and political context, taking account of national and global influences, and changing political beliefs and actions over the years. Sally Tomlinson argues that debates needs to focus less on dress and more on the educational, housing and employment problems, symptomatic of the continued poverty in many minority areas that works against social cohesion. Race and Education: Policy and Politics in Britain is an invaluable resource for all those concerned with education and social policy, especially students and professionals working in education, sociology and social policy.

"I have no hesitation in suggesting that it should be required reading for students of transport studies and social policy if for no other reason than because it provides an excellent overview of a particular perspective on transport and the consequences of automobility for particular groups." Justin Spinney, University of East London, UK "It is an excellent and comprehensive means of providing an introduction to those not familiar with social issues associated with contemporary transport....this reviewer recommends this book as an essential reading for all involved in the social policy field, not just students." Graham Currie, Monash University, Australia This topical book examines the consequences of our car-based transport system for social policy. Readers are introduced to the complexity of the relationship between transport and society together with the debates about the social inequalities produced by the transport system and the connection between social inequality, social exclusion and transport disadvantage. The social inequalities which result from the ways we travel are related to key areas of social policy. The book also traces the move from public to private transport during the last half century in the UK. Adopting a lifecourse approach Transport, Environment and Society demonstrates the impact of car dependence on children, adults, disabled people and older people, demonstrating the ways in which transport and mobility policy have changed perceptions of freedom, risk and safety. Throughout the book, the environmental impact of transport is kept to the fore. Reviewing the evidence on the social impact of transport the book discusses the ways in which a sustainable transport policy could emerge and argues that questions of mobility and transport should be integral to social policies which are concerned with environmental and social justice. The book assumes no previous knowledge of transport or transport policy and outlines the roles and functions of the relevant departments and agencies. Written primarily for social science students, Transport, Environment and Society is also key reading for environmental studies and transport studies students who need to understand the impact of transport on society.

This book provides an exploration of the social policies and practices of the Blair and Brown-led Labour governments in relation to families, children and young people in the United Kingdom. Although not a commentary solely on the policies of New Labour, the book examines Labour's 'Third Way', by widening out the debate to consider family welfare policies in the context of the European Union, globalization and international policy groups such as UNICEF. Within the UK, the Every Child Matters policy agenda provides a context for the areas considered. While there has been considerable improvement in the lives of many children and young people during this period, there have also been many headlines about abuse and failures of the care system. Moreover, the UK is still below the average in terms of child poverty within Europe, and the well-being of children and young people is of concern. The author has taken a rigorous look at policy developments during this period focusing on key areas such as: Health and well-being Child Poverty Risks, rights and responsibilities Young people being 'a risk' and 'at risk' Youth homelessness Looked after children Parents, Children, Young People and the State provides an accessible analysis of this key area for students, lecturers, researchers and policy makers with an interest in the well-being of children and young people now and in the future.

The Third Edition of this widely adopted textbook has been thoroughly revised and offers an authoritative and up-to-date coverage of the key theories, concepts and issues in social policy. The lively and readable text has been designed to provide students with the essential tools to gain a clear understanding of the theoretical debates surrounding the discipline. The book is organized into three parts: • Part One offers a detailed but accessible critique of major theoretical approaches such as neo-liberalism, Marxism, feminism and racism; • Part Two explores conceptual debates such as distributive justice and postmodernism; • PArt Three engages with contemporary social policy issues such as children, pensions and the role of New Labour. It also features newly commissioned chapters to reflect recent developments and current debates within social policy. New areas of consideration include: • Citizenship • Post-structuralism • The politics of food • Globalization Student exercises and reading lists feature throughout the text and practical examples are skilfully used to illustrate conceptual and theoretical material, making it the ideal core textbook for undergraduate social policy students, as well as those studying related welfare modules across the social sciences.

A central theme of this lively and accessible text is that theory helps us to understand policy, politics and practice. The book combines an in-depth exploration of selected theoretical perspectives and concepts with the student-friendly format of the Understanding Welfare series. The author uses diverse examples from contemporary social policy to help theoretical arguments come alive. It should provide a key text for 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates and postgraduates in social policy and related subjects, as well as their teachers.