News

By Malcolm Payne and Steven Shardlow.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN 185302 833 9
£16.95

Comparative studies in social policy and social services have proliferated in recent years, with a heavy concentration on Europe. This book differs by concentrating on practice comparisons between the countries of the British Isles.

The title suggests that the book is about social work but the coverage is necessarily much broader. The focus and main value of this text is the comparison of how history, culture and national identity affect the provision of social care and social work practice in the different countries. For example, why is it that Scotland has a reputation for being progressive in its social policy and social work?

Progressive measures have included the setting up of its social work departments in the early 1970s, the establishment of children's panels, and the recent decision to provide free residential care for older people.

The book is clearly written, with writers keeping to a similar structure for their chapters. A cautious conclusion is that the similarities in social services and social work are greater than the differences across the countries that comprise the British Isles - but it is the differences that are particularly interesting.

Brian Munday is senior lecturer in international social care, University of Kent.