The fourth edition of The Student's Companion to Social Policy maintains the text's inimitable and best-selling approach. Written by a wide range of experts in the field, it has been extensively updated and revised to take account of recent developments and debates and changing political and economic configurations. * Includes an additional five chapter section on the key themes and issues in the development of social policy in the UK since the nineteenth century * New to this edition are chapters addressing emergent areas in the discipline, new illustrative material, problem-centred review questions, and a dedicated website * Provides students with a Companion' which is so comprehensive that it can be used throughout their undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies * Meets the needs both of those specializing in social policy or policy-related occupations and the wide range of students studying it as part of other programmes * Enhanced by a website available at www.wiley.com/go/alcock4e, featuring student resources including chapter overviews, study questions, videos, resource guides, and more