This is a practical and trans-disciplinary guide for professionals working with vulnerable adults, who include the frail elderly, those with mental health problems or physical disabilities, learning disabilities or serious physical illness. The contributors address key problems and dilemmas in working to protect these groups from abuse.

Examining the assessment of need in children's services this book addresses the full spectrum of practice, policy and research developments in the field. The contributors show how needs assessment in children's services can be used to tackle problems such as low achievement, and social exclusion at both individual and strategic levels.

Reflecting the current emphasis in social policy on the ideas of community and active citizenship, the contributors to this book develop the basic settlement concepts of strong communities and links across groups, and apply them to current policy developments in community responsibility, the role of voluntary work and the future of social care.

Social and demographic changes have led to traditional areas of welfare being transformed. The contributors to this book take a critical look at the current situation and assess the implications for future practice. They debate the assumptions and values underlying established welfare programmes and consider the case for change.

To many of the people the processes by which those with autism make sense of the world around them may seem mysterious. In this book Lawson demonstrates these processes using comparisons from the non-ASD world to help professionals, families and carers to relate to and communicate with people with ASD better.

Julie Phillips argues that preparation is the most important element in running successful groups, and explores the issues that practitioners should address. She demonstrates how to prepare effectively, drawing on eight extended case studies with a variety of groups ranging from a positive parenting group to an anger management group.

this book highlights the significance of school exclusion as a pivotal process that has long-term negative effects not just on the individuals themselves but also for society as a whole. Drawing on individual accounts, the author demonstrates how aspects of the care system contribute to looked-after children being out of school.

The right of minority groups to define their culture and identity in their own terms is the central theme of this book. O'Hagan argues that a comprehensive definition of culture, and an awareness of all the issues involved, may enable practitioners to fulfil their statutory obligations more effectively.

In this book R.D. Hinshelwood discusses the interplay between the internal world of individuals and the external world, and how they have arisen from a psychoanalytic understanding of the human unconscious. Documenting how a therapeutic community functions, this text contributes to understanding how people can be influenced by their social setting.

Placing adult day services within the whole spectrum of social provision, the contributors to this book explore their complementary role alongside field social work, health care, domiciliary services and supported accommodation. Professionals in all sectors of social care will find it an essential guide to the provision of an effective day service.