This groundbreaking comparative study provides a cross-national and cross-sectoral study of care work in Europe today, covering policy, provision and practice. It provokes much-needed new thinking about the current situation and future direction of care work.

1. Introduction: Context and Methods 2. The Care Workforce: Structure, Profile and Work Conditions 3. What is Care Work About: Understandings and Practices 4. Education and Competence for Care Work 5. Gender Issues for Male and Female Care Workers 6. Quality of Employment and Job Satisfaction 7.Conclusions, Questions and Implications

Claire Cameron is a researcher at Thomas Coram Research Unit, University of London.

Peter Moss is Professor of Early Childhood Provision at the Institute of Education, University of London.