• Provides a wealth of practical knowledge from the experiences of social care workers who have worked with different groups in diverse settings.
• Goes behind the rhetoric and theory to examine the unpredictable, difficult and challenging aspects of social care work.
• Draws from real-life case studies illustrating both positive and negative experiences and outcomes, and examines the tasks and core competencies of social care work.
• Reflects on the professionalisation of social care as a vital service utilised by Tusla (Child and Family Agency), the Health Service Executive and other stakeholders.
• Discusses the evolution of social care from residential child care to an expanded, multifaceted and integrated practice.
• Details the establishment of the representative body Social Care Ireland (SCI) in 2011, which is made up of
• the Irish Association of Social Care Workers (IASCW),
• the Irish Association of Social Care Management (IASCM) and
• the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE).

Written For: Students of Social Care Social care workers preparing for continuing professional development (CPD), and allied health and social care professionals. Those interested in a career in social care