Social policy is central to social work practice. This textbook is designed to help students, practitioners and academics think critically about the relationship between policy and practice; particularlyain howapolicy both structures and informs practice. Reflective questions help critical thinking and links to websites of substantive information across the UK and internationallya help keep you up-to-date with policy developments. a The authors experience and skillsain working with different service user groupsacombine to provide a constructive and critical approach to working with social policy in an era of welfare retrenchment. Key topics include: discretion and practice; social work training and education; safeguarding children; responses to the needs of looked after children; personalization in adult care; OraceO and welfare policy; domestic violence; mental health and capacity; and comparing social work and social care internationally.