Focusing on what students really need to know, this book breaks down all of the key social work theory covered across a students' training, demystifying complex concepts by demonstrating their application to real-life practice.

A clear favourite among students and lecturers, this bestselling book introduces the main theoretical models in a clear and accessible way before applying them to various stages of the life course. From infants to older adults, the author uses case studies and practice examples to bring social work methods, skills and principles to life.

It is essential that social work students have a clear grasp of the history and the evolution of social work practice and this classic text explores the fundamental questions: What is social work? How has social work been defined over the years? What does social work look like now? And what is to come?