This timely and much needed text book presents an innovative, theoretically based approach that helps students, practitioners and researchers alike orientate their view and sensibilities in a rapidly evolving modern world. Traditional social work approaches are often ill-equipped to take into account the emerging social change which has resulted from technological change, globalisation and mobilities, as well as environmental change. By bringing sociological social work perspectives to contemporary practice, it draws on concepts from a range of disciplines in recognition that we are collective thinkers and actors and that our ideas are shaped by what we read and build upon. Whether taking a social work theory module or preparing for placement, this sociological perspective provides a crucial foundation for practice and puts the 'social' back in to 'social work'.