So far as practicable, all statistics have been brought up to date, and all recent legislation has been included. The list of societies and bibliography will be found useful both to social workers and to students. I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to the British Institute of Social Service, for the Appen dices; to Mr. E. Hayward, m.a for the index; to Mr. G. P. Gooch, MP for reading the proofs; and especially to my husband for the large amount of assistance he has rendered me.