This work provides a simple exposition of the concepts and value-base underpinning community-care policy and practice. Written in a jargon-free style, it goes beyond the "how-to" approach of much of the existing social-care literature and examines the principles and values on which professionals involved in welfare provision base their work. It addresses issues of power and partnership in professional practice and identifies dilemmas arising from the relationship between needs, rights and resources, between autonomy, paternalism and empowerment. It tackles the choices and uncertainties faced by those making decisions about service provision, and offers survival strategies to professionals under stress.