The notion of 'vulnerability' is now a prominent motif in social policy in the UK and beyond, with important implications for those deemed 'vulnerable'. Yet the effects of recalibrating welfare and criminal justice processes on the basis of vulnerability often escape attention. This distinctive book draws together lived experiences of vulnerability with academic and practical applications of the concept, exploring the repercussions of a 'vulnerability zeitgeist' in UK policy and practice. Through a focus on the voices and perspectives of 'vulnerable' young people and the professionals who support them, it questions how far the rise of vulnerability serves the interests of disadvantaged citizens. Illuminating where support shades into more controlling practices, the book is important reading for scholars, students and policy-makers interested in exclusion, precariousness, deviance and youth.

Kate Brown is a Lecturer in Social Policy and Crime at the University of York. Her research explores supportive and regulatory processes for vulnerable and 'troublesome' groups, focussing especially on young people. She worked previously as a practitioner and manager in the voluntary sector and continues to be active in services for vulnerable women and children.

The Vulnerability Zeitgeist;

Making Sense of Vulnerability;

The Rise of Vulnerability in Social Policy;

Vulnerability Management;

Vulnerable Young People's Life Stories;

Vulnerable Identities?;

The Social Mediation of Vulnerability;

Vulnerability, Care and Social Control.