The quest to create an evidence-based social work practice is emerging strongly in different fields of social work and social policy. In this volume, internationally renowned proponents and opponents of this approach deliver profound analyses of the meaning and implications of an evidence-based perspective which clearly challenges the nature of the knowledge base of the established social work practice and reevaluates and reshapes the character of welfare professionalism.

This volume relates the Capabilities Approach to research and practice in education, welfare economics, and social policy. Thus, it challenges traditional objectives and approaches in these fields. The authors suggest a capabilities perspective that calls into question the metric of success of these disciplines, as well as in the field of politics. It moves the attention away from economic growth and human capital towards autonomy and "agency freedom" of (young) individuals. Especially with respect to the young, this implies a substantial shift of perspectives. Young persons have been...