“This book is an interesting mix of established and new thinking on the development of race-related law, policy and practice in Britain ... It makes a particularly compelling argument for greater attention to the interaction between service providers and service users … The authors offer important theoretical insights and valuable research evidence to social workers and related professionals”British Journal of Social Work
"Government Ministers and advisers tell us that the 'race' agenda is finished. Williams and Johnson, in this closely argued, wide-ranging and excellent book, remind us how far that statement is from the truth... This book must be read by all concerned with advancing racial equality."
Gary Craig, Professor of Community Development and Social Justice, University of Durham, UK
"Williams and Johnson have presented a brilliant and comprehensive critique of the welfare state's failure to respond to cultural diversity and make full use of its creative potential. Their analysis is equipped with considerable theoretical acumen and command of empirical data, and it goes on to lay the foundation of an egalitarian and multi-culturally orientated welfare society. This new text is a most welcome contribution to this complex area, and provides a suitable 10-year follow-up to the Runnymede Trust Commission on multicultural Britain, which I had the honour to Chair."
Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh
"I very much welcome this excellently timed book which drops right into the current debates. The double whammy of financial hardship and cuts to public services and benefits, threaten a brutal impact on poor and Black and Minority Ethnic communities. Race Equality campaigners and activists are increasingly concerned to highlight the importance of an approach to welfare that is caring, fair and where the recognition of 'race' is integral. To provide equality, differentials of race, gender and class in particular must be considered. Those considerations are central to this book and it should be used as the underpinning narrative and rationale for making the case for 'race' sensitive welfare."
Karen Chouhan, Director, Equanomics UK
"The arguments in this book are compelling and provide a powerful case for race equality in the light of the Coalition government plans in reducing the size of the public sector and the welfare state in a clear ideological and fiduciary battle with public expenditure."
Patrick Vernon, Chief Executive of The Afiya Trust
Contemporary multiculturalism poses a number of challenges for the design and delivery of welfare services in Britain. This thought-provoking book explores the needs and well-being of ethnic minorities within the context of the changing framework for delivering welfare services. The book:
- Considers major transformations in the delivery and practices of welfare related services and their implications for the engagement, access and participation of ethnic minorities
- Reflects on issues of race and ethnicity within a variety of welfare policy arenas
- Suggests ways that welfare practices could be transformed to incorporate the notion of a welfare society
Race and Ethnicity in a Welfare Society will appeal to students of social work, social policy and sociology and to practitioners with an interest in welfare policy and practice.
