Dr Kirsten Stalker is a Reader in the Education Faculty at Strathclyde University. She has published widely in the field of social work.

• Introduction, Kirsten Stalker, University of Stirling. 1. Carers: An Overview of Concepts, Developments and Debates, Kirsten Stalker, University of Stirling. 2. Caring Relationships: Looking Beyond Welfare Categories of Carers and Service Users, Liz Lloyd, University of Bristol. 3. Diversity Among Carers, Susan Eley, University of Stirling. 4. Carers and Assessment, Hazel Qureshi, Hilary Arksey and Elinor Nicholas, University of York. 5. Caring Families: Their Support or Empowerment? Gordon Grant, University of Sheffield. 6. Caring Voices: Carers' Participation in Policy and Practice, Helen Rogers and Marion Barnes, University of Birmingham. 7. Carers and Employment, Paul Ramcharan and Bridget Whittell, University of Sheffield. 8. Getting to Grips with Poor Care, Ann Brechin, Rose Barton and June Stein, Open University. 9. The Legal Framework of Caring, Margaret Ross, University of Aberdeen. The Contributors. Subject Index. Author Index.

This book provides a valuable and though-provoking assessment of the needs and role of the carer. It will be of great value to practitioners in the field who want to acquaint themselves with current research themes.