This introductory text: * discusses the development of social pedagogy as an academic discipline * explores its influence on UK debates about welfare practice. It provides the theoretical structure for understanding: * the potential of social pedagogy in UK welfare practice * how key ideas from within social pedagogy can be linked to ideas of inclusion, creativity and personalisation * the impact of power relations on the social pedagogic relationship * the importance of creativity in building inclusive practice Focusing on practice situations within which social pedagogy can be seen to be effective, it: * provides a background to the introduction of social pedagogy in the UK * investigates how European and UK services could benefit from a better mutual understanding of what each other does * discusses how social pedagogy can contribute to other areas of practice including youth work, adult social care and community development * suggests ways in which social pedagogy can be adopted to a wider field of practice than those in which it is currently considered in the UK.