The second edition of this popular textbook on community care has been substantially updated to incorporate both the new requirements for social work training, and the considerable developments in policy, law, research and practice since 1999. The book traces the historical development of community care and describes the different stages of the process of care management and assesses the impact of care management as a system upon the practice of social work. Connections between social care, health care and housing are thoroughly explored and the impact of community care policies upon different user groups is explained. Exercises and case studies are included and there are suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter.