Published in 1994, as a revised and updated seventh edition, this classic guide to social administration was first published in 1969. The book provides information about social problems and the structure and working of the social services in the late 20th Century. It also identifies the main lines of development in social legislation and clarifies the issues that dominated social policy, many of which are still relevant today. Major changes to provision in social security, health, education, employment and personal social services have been incorporated and the conflicts around these changes explored. The trend towards the privatization of welfare and the centralizing role of the state are discussed in the context of economic change. This text will be of interest to students, lecturers and professionals in the history of social policy, sociology, policy-making.