What is Community Work? is a key introductory text for those in the early stages of a degree in community and youth work. Tracing the development of community work as a distinct area of practice from its early beginnings in the late 19th century up to the present day, it provides readers with a clear understanding of the theories that inform community work, the different range of community work models and some of the key issues and challenges that shape and influence community work practice.

Table of Contents

Introduction and core themes; The beginnings of community work; Community work theory; Community work models; Community work in practice; Current issues and challenges; Summarising remarks and signposts

Author Biography

Previously a fieldworker in social services, and a youth worker, Professor Keith Popple has taught in higher education for a number of years. He has directed a number of funded research projects. Professor Popple is author of a key text book Analysing Community Work (Open University Press, 1995) and was previously Editor of the international quarterly Community Development Journal. He is an Editorial Board member of Social Work Education.