Terry Bamford has been active in social work for five decades. He has chaired the British Association of Social Workers, been a Director of Social Services in Northern Ireland and a London borough. He was a founder member of the General Social Care Council. He has chaired a Primary Care Trust and is currently Chair of the Social Work History Network and of Healthwatch in Bexley.

"This book is a treasure trove of wisdom based on the experience of living the history which it recounts." The British Journal of Social Work "In this meticulously researched book, infused by his 50 years of experience as practitioner, manager and policy advocate, Terry Bamford prods, pokes and throws light on some of social work's recurring dilemmas." June Thoburn, University of East Anglia "An exceptionally well-informed book. Bamford's commitment as a champion for social work and social workers weaves itself through a text which is a pleasure to read. Whilst looking back it is right up to date and points the way forward." Ray Jones, Kingston University

• Foreword;Introduction;A brave new world: social work at its zenith;Social work’s ambivalent relation with professionalism;Child care and the loss of trust;Neoliberalism and social work practice;Education or training for social work;The evolution of radical social work;From mainstream to the margins: two case studiesThe impossible dream: integration of health and social care;Social work and devolution;Social work in a changing world;Afterword: Rotherham and beyond.

Terry Bamford has been active in social work for five decades. He has chaired the British Association of Social Workers, been a Director of Social Services in Northern Ireland and a London borough. He was a founder member of the General Social Care Council. He has chaired a Primary Care Trust and is currently Chair of the Social Work History Network and of Healthwatch in Bexley.

"This book is a treasure trove of wisdom based on the experience of living the history which it recounts." The British Journal of Social Work "In this meticulously researched book, infused by his 50 years of experience as practitioner, manager and policy advocate, Terry Bamford prods, pokes and throws light on some of social work's recurring dilemmas." June Thoburn, University of East Anglia "An exceptionally well-informed book. Bamford's commitment as a champion for social work and social workers weaves itself through a text which is a pleasure to read. Whilst looking back it is right up to date and points the way forward." Ray Jones, Kingston University

• Foreword;Introduction;A brave new world: social work at its zenith;Social work’s ambivalent relation with professionalism;Child care and the loss of trust;Neoliberalism and social work practice;Education or training for social work;The evolution of radical social work;From mainstream to the margins: two case studiesThe impossible dream: integration of health and social care;Social work and devolution;Social work in a changing world;Afterword: Rotherham and beyond.

Terry Bamford has been active in social work for five decades. He has chaired the British Association of Social Workers, been a Director of Social Services in Northern Ireland and a London borough. He was a founder member of the General Social Care Council. He has chaired a Primary Care Trust and is currently Chair of the Social Work History Network and of Healthwatch in Bexley.

"This book is a treasure trove of wisdom based on the experience of living the history which it recounts." The British Journal of Social Work "In this meticulously researched book, infused by his 50 years of experience as practitioner, manager and policy advocate, Terry Bamford prods, pokes and throws light on some of social work's recurring dilemmas." June Thoburn, University of East Anglia "An exceptionally well-informed book. Bamford's commitment as a champion for social work and social workers weaves itself through a text which is a pleasure to read. Whilst looking back it is right up to date and points the way forward." Ray Jones, Kingston University

• Foreword;Introduction;A brave new world: social work at its zenith;Social work’s ambivalent relation with professionalism;Child care and the loss of trust;Neoliberalism and social work practice;Education or training for social work;The evolution of radical social work;From mainstream to the margins: two case studiesThe impossible dream: integration of health and social care;Social work and devolution;Social work in a changing world;Afterword: Rotherham and beyond.