Iain Ferguson is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of the West of Scotland. He is a founder member of the Social Work Action Network. Michael Lavalette is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Liverpool Hope University, national coordinator of the Social Work Action Network. Iain and Michael are joint editors of the journal Critical and Radical Social Work.

• Series Editors’ Introduction;The crisis in adult social care ~ lead essay by Iain Ferguson and Michael Lavalette;The Big Society debate and the social care crisis ~ response by Bill Jordan;How the market fails social care ~ response by Mark Lymbery;The crisis in social care: deepening the analysis ~ response by Dexter Whitfield;Challenging the market and the state ~ response by Ian Hood;Personalisation: the experience in Glasgow ~ response by Brian Smith;Supporting informal carers ~ response by Claire Cairns;Some concluding remarks ~ Iain Ferguson and Michael Lavalette;References.

"This is an essential and invaluable read for all those involved/interested in adult social care." Steve Rogowski, social worker (children and families) "Taking a radical stance has never been more important in social work. This most timely and innovative series of internationally renowned authors makes a significant contribution to advancing a new politics of social work." Professor Stephen Webb, Chair in Social Work, Glasgow Caledonian University