First published in 1973, The Expansion of Social Work in Britain presents an overview of the history of social work to develop an understanding of what modern social work 'is' and of what the rapid expansion of social work 'means' as a social phenomenon. Divided into three parts, Part I examines the traditions and the forms of social action in the nineteenth century from which social work originated. Part II presents the period following the Second World War and concentrate particularly on the development of family casework in relation to what was sometimes called 'the problem of the problem family.' Part III examines the context of the expansion of social work in Britain into the field of community work. This book is an essential read for students of social work and social work professionals.