This book identifies key social policy concepts and explores their relevance for health and welfare policy, and for the practice of professionals such as nurses and social workers who are involved in the delivery of services and provision. The text adopts an ideologies of welfare approach using examples of recent policy shifts to illustrate theoretical and political tensions. This shift in emphasis away from the traditional approach of documenting policy areas is an important feature of the book. The concepts are organized in terms of doctrinal contests. This allows the authors to explore the tension between different approaches and ways of defining social policy. The aim is to help professionals identify these tensions, to be aware of the strategic choices which have been made in national and agency policy, and to locate their own practice in relationship to these choices. It draws upon the continuing debate around the Third Way and New Labour policies as they apply to health and social welfare; and identifies tensions within a non-ideological, pragmatic set of practices.

Key Concepts and Debates in Health and Social Policy has been written with students and practitioners in mind. It is a valuable resource for a wide range of health and welfare professionals, especially in nursing, social work and occupational therapy. It is also suitable for use on professional training courses, and with students of social policy and health studies.