Third edition of this popular comprehensive introduction to all key study areas within Applied Social Care and Social Care Practice, including theoretical approaches, practice issues, social care and specific population groups. New to this edition: International perspectives on social care practice, drawing on experience in Ireland, Europe and North America An update on the social care professional development project New chapters on therapeutic approaches to social care practice, child protection, health promotion and working with juvenile offenders. Provides a historical outline of social care in Ireland, with reference to key institutions, legislation and regulations.  Identifies theoretical bases of social care practice in psychology, sociology and social policy, and how these have evolved and developed through the interplay of theory-building, evidence-gathering, policy development and polemical debate. Examines the fundamental role of 'self' in social care practice and concepts, practices of equality and anti-oppressive practice. Focuses on key practice issues, including student placement, workplace supervision, multidisciplinary teamworking and responding to challenging behaviour. Examines social care practice with particular social and demographic groups - young people, older people, the homeless, those with disabilities, the Travelling community and new immigrant communities - and identifies the required skills and approaches associated with this work. Endorsed by the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE ) and by Social Care Ireland (SCI). Suitable For: Students of Social Care/Applied Social Studies at degree and honours degree level