Social Work and Human Services retains all the positive aspects of the 4th edition by continuing to recognise the particular contribution that social work knowledge, values and skills can make to the work of a range of people employed in the human services, including but not limited to social workers.

This text has been renamed Social Work and Human Service Practice in recognition of the ongoing diversification of the occupational groups responding to the needs of individuals, groups and communities in Australian society.

The authors continue to emphasise the purposeful, outcome nature of social work and human service practice, and the need for a critical stance in analysing and responding to individual, group and community issues and for ongoing development as a practitioner.