Australian Social Policy and the Human Services (Enhanced Edition)

Social policy encompasses the study of social needs, policy development and the administrative arrangements undertaken with the aim of improving citizen wellbeing and redressing disadvantage. In a period of increasing political instability, growing inequality and polarisation, in Australia and globally, social work and human service practitioners are uniquely positioned to partner with government, policy makers and non-government organisations to respond to these challenges and advocate for policy and programs that promote the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Australian Social Policy and the Human Services introduces readers to the mechanisms of policy development, implementation and evaluation. The third edition emphasises the complexity of practice, examining the links and gaps between policy development and implementation and encouraging readers to develop a critical approach to practice. The text now includes an overview of Australia’s political system and has been significantly expanded to cover contemporary issues across several policy domains including changes in labour market structure, homelessness, mental health and disability, child protection and family violence, education policy, Indigenous initiatives, conceptualisations of citizenships and the rights of diverse groups and populations. Each chapter is framed by learning objectives, key terms, reflection points, end-of-chapter exercises, illustrative break out examples and suggestions for further reading. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Australian Social Policy and the Human Services is an indispensable resource for students and practitioners alike.