Social workers need to understand people and how they develop to provide context for service users' life situations. This book introduces the reader to a range of perspectives on human development. All stages of the life course are considered, looking at the way people develop before birth, as babies and children, through adolescence and into young, middle and older adulthood. This second edition is packed with case studies, which are used throughout to draw out key points and reinforce learning. New research findings are included and government guidance and policy documents have been updated, reflecting current practice.