Policy Press Social and Caring Professions in European Welfare States: Policies, Services and Professional Practices

This collection provides new insights about current welfare professions in a number of European countries. Focusing on research representing different types of European welfare states, including the Scandinavian and the Continental, the book offers in-depth understandings of professionals' everyday work within different contextual conditions, explored from empirical and theoretical perspectives. Subjects covered include knowledge and identity, education and professional development, regulation, accountability, collaboration, assessment and decision making. This is a valuable contribution to the discussion of professionalism and welfare professions, offering lessons learned and ways forward. Review "The book offers a timely and thought-provoking analysis of social welfare professions in transition across Europe. Highly recommended."--Hannele Forsberg, University of Tampere, Finland About the Author Björn Blom is Professor of Social Work at the Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Sweden. His research interests are organisations, professions, knowledge-use, evaluation and addiction treatment. Lars Evertsson is PhD in Sociology and Associate Professor in Social Work at the Department of social work, Umeå university, Sweden. His main research area concerns the interface between the development of welfare professions and the Welfare state. Marek Perlinski is PhD and senior lecturer in Social Work at the Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Sweden. His research interests include professional and organisational aspects of public service social services.