James Mark Baldwin left a legacy that has yet to be fully examined, one with profound implications for science and the humanities. In some sense it paralleled that of his friend Charles Sanders Peirce, whose semiotics became understood only a century later. Baldwin was trying to make sense of complex biological and social processes which only now have come into the limelight as biological sciences, and slowly but surely, have re-emerged in psychology.

Baldwin's focus on development, based on the observation of his own children and extrapolated to his general theoretical scheme, is fully in line with where our contemporary biological sciences are heading. This is exemplified by the bounded flexibility of the work of the genetic system. The general principle of persistent exploration of the environment with the result of creating novelty, which was the core of Baldwin's theoretical system, has since the 1960s become the guiding idea in genetics. Contemporary developmental science is rooted in Baldwin's thinking.

In his new introduction, Jaan Valsiner shows that Baldwin's Genetic Theory of Reality demonstrates how human beings are in their nature social beings, establishes an alternative conceptualization of evolutionary theory, and formulates a system of developmental logic, all of which serve as the foundation for developmental psychology as a whole. This is a work of social science rediscovery long overdue.

This title was first published in 2000: Community care stands as an example of a complex policy, failing to be implemented as intended. Using research and studies of literature on community care, this text investigates the reasons behind the failure of this "flagship" policy, focusing on the part played by care managers, management and policy implementation approaches. It presents an exploration of social work discretion as a potential force for positive and dynamic implementation, as opposed to the usual analysis of professional discretion as a necessary evil. This potential is demonstrated through the analysis of an innovative research methodology.

This title was first published in 2000: Community care stands as an example of a complex policy, failing to be implemented as intended. Using research and studies of literature on community care, this text investigates the reasons behind the failure of this "flagship" policy, focusing on the part played by care managers, management and policy implementation approaches. It presents an exploration of social work discretion as a potential force for positive and dynamic implementation, as opposed to the usual analysis of professional discretion as a necessary evil. This potential is demonstrated through the analysis of an innovative research methodology.

James Mark Baldwin left a legacy that has yet to be fully examined, one with profound implications for science and the humanities. In some sense it paralleled that of his friend Charles Sanders Peirce, whose semiotics became understood only a century later. Baldwin was trying to make sense of complex biological and social processes that only now have come into the limelight as biological sciences have re-emerged in psychology. Baldwin's focus on development, based on the observation of his own children and extrapolated to his general theoretical scheme, is fully in line with where contemporary biological sciences are heading. This is exemplified by the bounded flexibility of the work of the genetic system. The general principle of persistent exploration of the environment with the result of creating novelty, which was the core of Baldwin's theoretical system, has since the 1960s become the guiding idea in genetics. Contemporary developmental science is rooted in Baldwin's thinking. In his new introduction, Jaan Valsiner shows that Baldwin's Genetic Theory of Reality demonstrates how human beings are in their nature social beings, establishes an alternative conceptualization of evolutionary theory, and formulates a system of developmental logic, all of which serve as the foundation for developmental psychology as a whole. This is a work of social science rediscovery long overdue.

A critical characteristic of human service organizations is their capacity to learn from experience and to adapt continuously to changing external conditions such as downward pressure on resources, constant reconfiguration of the welfare state and rapidly changing patterns of social need. This invaluable, groundbreaking volume discusses in detail the concept of the learning organization, in particular its relevance to social work and social services. Contributors join together from across Europe, North America and Australia to explore the development of the learning organization within social work contexts and its use as a strategic tool for meeting problems of continuous learning, supervision and change. The volume addresses a range of important topics, from strategies for embedding learning and critical reflection in the social work learning organization, to the implications of the learning organization for the new community-based health and social care agenda.

A critical characteristic of human service organizations is their capacity to learn from experience and to adapt continuously to changing external conditions such as downward pressure on resources, constant reconfiguration of the welfare state and rapidly changing patterns of social need. This invaluable, groundbreaking volume discusses in detail the concept of the learning organization, in particular its relevance to social work and social services. Contributors join together from across Europe, North America and Australia to explore the development of the learning organization within social work contexts and its use as a strategic tool for meeting problems of continuous learning, supervision and change. The volume addresses a range of important topics, from strategies for embedding learning and critical reflection in the social work learning organization, to the implications of the learning organization for the new community-based health and social care agenda.

Social Work in the Community offers practice guidance to students, practice assessors, and practitioners within a political, theoretical, methodological, and ethical framework. The book is written from an experiential learning perspective, enabling the reader not only to understand the ideas and methods, but to test them out in their own practice, which additionally provides an element of problem-based learning. It is a practical textbook, covering a holistic approach to making a difference through social work. Written within the framework of the practice curriculum for the social work degree in the UK, including the National Occupational Standards, the book enables students to make sense of their practice in relation to the knowledge, skills, and values of social work practice in its community context. It contains many textbook features, including chapter summaries, 'reflection boxes,' and open-ended UK case studies.

Social Work in the Community offers practice guidance to students, practice assessors, and practitioners within a political, theoretical, methodological, and ethical framework. The book is written from an experiential learning perspective, enabling the reader not only to understand the ideas and methods, but to test them out in their own practice, which additionally provides an element of problem-based learning. It is a practical textbook, covering a holistic approach to making a difference through social work. Written within the framework of the practice curriculum for the social work degree in the UK, including the National Occupational Standards, the book enables students to make sense of their practice in relation to the knowledge, skills, and values of social work practice in its community context. It contains many textbook features, including chapter summaries, 'reflection boxes,' and open-ended UK case studies.