First Published in 1998. This is Volume XIII of eighteen of a series on the Sociology of Public Policy, Welfare and Social Work. Written in 1952, this book looks at the social services after the closing years of the Second World War and the period of reconstruction which followed, when they embraced social insurance and assistance, health, housing, education, the care of old people and of deprived children-which had been expanding and developing during the previous half-century. During this they were examined, evaluated and reconstituted. Their scope was widened to include the whole population, and the benefits provided were made more far-reaching and comprehensive.