This book offers a critical, sociological analysis of the domino effect of neoliberalism and austerity politics on the role of social work and wider welfare provision.

It argues that social work should move away from the resultant emphasis on risk management and bureaucracy, and return to a focus on relational and community approaches as the cornerstone of practice.

Applying theoretical frameworks to practice, including those of Bourdieu and the recent work of Wacquant, the book examines the development of neoliberal ideas and their impact on social welfare. It explores the implications of this across a range of areas of social work practice, including work with children and families, working with asylum seekers and refugees and mental health social work.

“The book rightly calls for a return to relational and community approaches to practice, approaches that acknowledge the impact of poverty and inequality. It is timely and should appeal to students and practitioners alike.” Professional Social Work Magazine.
"This extremely timely, accessible and invaluable analysis develops ideas for social work that challenge the dominant policy direction and promote the social justice ideals of the profession." Anna Gupta, Royal Holloway University of London

Ian Cummins is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Salford University. He qualified as a probation officer and subsequently worked as a mental health social worker. His research interests including the history of community care and mental health issues in the CJS. His most recent work has focused on poverty, inequality and advanced marginality.