European Social Policy and Social Work explores shifts in international social policies and how they affect national trends and thus the context for social work practice.

The book discusses international and national social work strategies and practice and investigates the responsibilities for social welfare held by the state, the market and civil society. Hans van Ewijk then elaborates a new concept of citizenship-based social work which supports and encourages self-responsibility, social responsibility and the implementation of social rights. The main themes covered are:

• international social policy and social work
• from welfare to workfare
• citizenship
• essentials of citizenship based social work
• community policy and community work
• social work and alternative areas of activity such as youth care and social care.

Integrating different roots and social professions in an overarching new concept, this book particularly looks at European Union countries. Hans van Ewijk examines debates regarding social work as an internationally recognised profession and science.

This book is suitable for social work students, academics and professionals with an interest in social policy and international social work.

European Social Policy and Social Work explores shifts in international social policies and how they affect national trends and thus the context for social work practice.

The book discusses international and national social work strategies and practice and investigates the responsibilities for social welfare held by the state, the market and civil society. Hans van Ewijk then elaborates a new concept of citizenship-based social work which supports and encourages self-responsibility, social responsibility and the implementation of social rights. The main themes covered are:

• international social policy and social work
• from welfare to workfare
• citizenship
• essentials of citizenship based social work
• community policy and community work
• social work and alternative areas of activity such as youth care and social care.

Integrating different roots and social professions in an overarching new concept, this book particularly looks at European Union countries. Hans van Ewijk examines debates regarding social work as an internationally recognised profession and science.

This book is suitable for social work students, academics and professionals with an interest in social policy and international social work.

Being socially competent is essential in late modern society. We expect people to find their own accommodation, partner, job, community and lifestyle and struggle to find answers for those who are not able or do not have the opportunity to achieve these things. By placing social complexity, social vulnerability and social efficacy within a framework of social policy and social practice, Complexity and Social Work argues that growing social complexity excludes more and more citizens from social participation. The book starts with exploring complexity, super-diversity, vulnerability and social efficacy. From there the book deals with the discourses of social policy, social work and social work research, pledging for social policy aiming at desired outcomes, for generic contextual social work, and for a research practice that recognises practical wisdom. Aimed at final year undergraduates, postgraduates, professionals, trainers and lecturers involved in social work, social policy, social care, mental health and allied fields who are committed to treating socially vulnerable people with respect and acceptance, this book, the first of its kind, offers new perspectives on social complexity for practice, theory and research in human services.

Welfare societies are confronted with a new social quest: the problem of increasing numbers of people having difficulties in coping with daily complexity and the dramatic increase in users in youth care, mental health and the punitive system. The answer to this new social issue is not a Caring State but an Activating State. The new social quest asks for a new concept of citizenship on the one hand and a new social professional as 'generalist-specialist' or'professional friend', on the other hand. From there, different modern approaches in social work are presented, such as outreach social work, new avenues for reducing recidivism, making room for vulnerable people in the community, interethnic connecting in sports, good social care and a new profile for social workers.