This nonfic�tion tracks the long arc from medieval alms to modern public service, showing how laws, institutions, and reformers shaped the field of social work.

The book provides a clear, readable look at the origins of the English Poor Law and the shift away from isolated mutual aid toward organized public responsibility. It connects early royal acts, regulations on begging, and repressive measures to later efforts at social reform, education, and professional training. You’ll see how social work becomes a distinct, democratically organized profession, guided by science and public service rather than charity alone.

Along the way, the text ties together a wide range of social ideas—from charity, social insurance, and municipal welfare to housing reform, public health, and the role of settlements. It situates key moments and figures within a broader history of democracy, industry, and social policy.

Foundations of social work in medieval charity and English Poor Law.
The transition from alms to organized public relief and professional training.
How laws, institutions, and social movements shaped modern welfare practice.
Connections between democracy, science, and the professional standing of social work.

Ideal for readers interested in the history of social policy, welfare reform, and the evolving role of social workers.

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