Charlie Cooper

The key aim of this book is to critically explore the options for the future of welfare under New Labour. The 1997 election marked the prospect of a new era in social welfare - the possibility of establishing a third phase in the post-war history of the welfare state (the first being the creation of the Keynesian welfare state, the second the Thatcher/Major neo-liberal reforms). The welfare state that the government inherited from the Conservatives is widely believed to be in a critical condition. At the same time, there is evidence of widening social inequality in Britain which existing social policy measures fail to address. Whilst acknowledging that future welfare strategies are likely to operate within a market paradigm, the key argument of this book is that welfare providers should operate within a more accountable and democratic environment where service-users have the right to participate in decision-making processes affecting their welfare - regardless of the ability to pay. The book concludes that the dominant discourse shaping social policy in Britain must be recognized and should not be accepted uncritically and that there are very real economic (as well as social) benefits from taking measures to address social disadvantage.

This title was first published in 2000: The 1997 election marked the prospect of a new era in social welfare - the possibility of establishing a third phase in the post-war history of the welfare state (the first being the creation of the Keynesian welfare state, the second the Thatcher/Major neo-liberal reforms). The key aim of this book is to critically explore the options for the future of welfare under New Labour. The welfare state that the government inherited from the Conservatives is widely believed to be in a critical condition. At the same time, there is evidence of widening social inequality in Britain which existing social policy measures fail to address. Whilst acknowledging that future welfare strategies are likely to operate within a market paradigm, the key argument of this book is that welfare providers should operate within a more accountable and democratic environment where service-users have the right to participate in decision-making processes affecting their welfare - regardless of the ability to pay. The book concludes that the dominant discourse shaping social policy in Britain must be recognized and should not be accepted uncritically and that there are very real economic (as well as social) benefits from taking measures to address social disadvantage.

In today's society, many young people feel marginalised and unable to find their own voice. It is vital therefore that youth workers are able to work with them to tackle this in a meaningful way. Drawing on the real experiences and difficulties faced by youth workers, this book will help those who want to work with young people in an empowering way. The concepts of empowerment and participation are explained, explored and critically analysed, along with the key notion of resilience. This is backed up by activities and case studies which help to bring together the theory and the practice.