Addressing the changing world of professionalism, this text combines theory, research and practice to investigate the process of becoming professional. Mapping the journey from allied or associate practitioner positions through qualifying and into advanced practitioner status, it is a valuable companion for health and social care, social work and allied health students from the beginning of their studies. It emphasises how health and social care practitioners can contribute to social justice and challenging social exclusion and includes case studies, reflective exercises and activities, chapter aims and summaries and further reading boxes throughout.