MALCOLM PAYNE is Adviser, Policy and Development, at St. Christopher's Hospice, London, UK, where he was previously Director of Psychosocial and Spiritual Care. He is Emeritus Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University and Honorary Professor at Kingston University/St George's University of London. He is the author of many books, including the international best-seller, Modern Social Work Theory.

• What is Social Care Practice?Valuing Users and CarersThe State and the IndividualEngaging and Assessing in Social CarePartnership with Agencies and ColleaguesPersonal and Social InterventionEndings, Monitoring and EvaluationDevelopment for Service Users, Carers and PractitionersSocial Care Futures.

'It's not often I want to leap off my seat with excitement when I'm reading a book on social care, but Malcolm Payne's Social Care Practice in Context had that effect. Here's a book that engages with practice, policy, theory and research to identify the expertise of social care, the emergent close relation of social work. It does this fluently, with a clarity and ease that make the book a compelling read...This book is essential reading for all.' - Angie Ash, Principal Consultant, Angela Ash Associates, Professional Social Work 'Payne urges the upholding of traditional social work values, such as... building relationships, connecting people to networks and communities, and paying closer attention to what people say they need and want. For both students and practitioners, this has to be worthwhile advice.' - British Journal of Social Work 'interesting and informative. As with all Payne's writing it is clear, concise and easy to read. It is also well laid out, not least the practice examples, research boxes and reflection activities... It should certainly appeal to community care and social work students and practitioners.' - Practice