Social welfare workers are frequently motivated by a desire to 'work with people', 'bring about change' or to 'make a difference'. This valuable book explores some of the difficulties and dilemmas faced by those who deliver welfare in a changing policy context. Using case studies and vignettes, this book seeks to develop an analytical skills-based approach to understanding the role and importance of social policy in social welfare practice, and will teach readers to understand, analyse and engage with policy. It will be of great value to students of social work and other welfare professions, and their teachers.