James Midgley provides an overview of social welfare, outlining key institutions, terminology, historical research and approaches. In addition, he details reasons for the existence of international social welfare and the challenges which arise from it.

Social Welfare in Global Context includes sections on: applied international social welfare, which addresses the concerns of practitioners, and issues of social work practice, social development, the activities of international agencies and their collaborative efforts. As well as its important focus on practical application, the book also presents key theoretical debates in the field, and provides a comprehensive account of world social conditions and social welfare institutions.