This volume provides an introduction to social policy and the system of social protection in Germany, focusing in particular on social work as a part of social policy. It explains the fundamental societal mechanisms of redistribution and social security, discusses welfare state theories and presents the development of German social policy. It focuses on providing a detailed description of the structure of the German welfare state, discussing both the different welfare state pillars (social insurance, social compensation, social assistance and social support) as well as the various levels of sociopolitical institutions. It also hones in on recent social policy developments (the transformation of welfare production) in terms of their respective significance for social work as a discipline and a profession.