<DIV>Adult social care has emerged as a distinct policy area in the UK that has come under increasing scrutiny by the government. With the expectation that many more adults will need care and support in the near future, many policy makers have argued for a transformation of adult care. The focus of this wideranging book is on the major themes in the policies governing the provision of adult care. It is one of the first books to deal with adult social care as a distinct entity, providing up-to-date information on contemporary government policies, debates, and research. The book encourages readers to think critically about decisions being made and about the direction of future initiatives.</DIV>