Rogowski's second edition of this bestselling textbook responds to the major changes to social work practice since the first edition was published. It is fully revised and updated to include new material that is essential for students and practising social workers today. Taking a critical perspective, Rogowski evaluates social work's development, nature and rationale over approximately 150 years. He explores how neoliberalism is at the core of the profession's crisis and calls for progressive, critical and radical changes to social work policy and practices based on social justice and social change. This new edition is substantially updated to explore: -the impact of austerity policies since 2010; -failures to realise the progressive possibilities which followed the death of 'Baby P'; -contemporary examples of critical and radical practice. It also includes a range of student-friendly features including chapter summaries, key learning and discussion points, and further reading.