This book explores the relationship between the law and social work: the social context of welfare law, the powers and duties social workers have, the practice dilemmas that confront them in applying the law and the conflicting imperatives that underpin it. It helps practitioners use legal knowledge by applying a decision-making framework to practice situations and by clarifying the values and skills for effective practice. This substantially revised and extended second edition updates developments in social work law and provides an even more comprehensive resource for students and practitioners alike.