In the 1970s, social work in Britain was in crisis. A process of self-searching had begun, stimulated by changes in the organization of social services departments, by the growth of the radical movement in social work, and by the emergence of new techniques in social work. All this might have seemed a confusing and depressing prospect, but Professor Howard Jones, the editor of this collection of essays, originally published in 1975, felt on the contrary that this new situation in social work presented an opportunity for a potentially rewarding debate. He believed that the old unsatisfactory mould had been broken, and that it was now possible for the first time for many years to look at the basic issues in social work without preconceptions.

The contributors to this book were all actively involved in the teaching and practice of social work at the time, and they came together to initiate a debate on the leading issues of the day. They were all concerned to find a right course for social work in this crucial period, and among the topics they cover are social work training, social workers and political action, community participation, and making use of research.