The short guide to social policy [John Hudson, Stefan Kuhner and Stuart Lowe, 2015, 2nd edition, Policy Press]

This book provides a concise overview of the key structures and concepts in social policy, focusing on the five pillars of the welfare state (social security; employment; education; health; housing). New to the second edition is a chapter on issues such as social care, criminal justice and family policy. The book is mostly descriptive, and each chapter has a common structure and layout used to systematically analyse the pillars of the welfare state. The book fulfils its primary aim: to provide a concise, straightforward and clear account of social policy relevant to UK and overseas students. It is well-written and easy to read, making it a welcome addition to the reading list of undergraduate social policy modules. Those taking postgraduate courses or research in social policy will also find this introductory text useful, albeit lacking the depth and detail that they may require. Written by senior academics from the University of York with extensive experience in teaching and researching social policy, each chapter draws on UK and international examples and statistics. A unique feature of the second edition is a free app with videos and interactive materials expanding on the key issues in the text. In summary, this is a good introduction and short guide to social policy. Suitable for undergraduate students new to social policy, or as an initial reference point before, or instead of, navigating more in-depth texts.