The authors discuss the role of the caring professions and reforms in the welfare state, assessing the impact on organizational roles and relationships. The book includes more on the concept of 'caring' than the previous edition and includes pressing contemporary themes such as managerialism, training and education, the skills mix, control and legal relationships, the 'new' nursing and gender and care. The Sociology of the Caring Professions will be of value to those studying sociology, social policy, nursing and social work.