Introduction to social policy

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Introduction to social policy

• SWP12SP SWP12PPI
• Lecture 6, 2007
• Maureen Long

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Outline of lecture

• Definitions of policy
• What is social policy?
• Purposes of social policy
• Features of social policy
• Key concepts of social policy
• Why social policy matters

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What is policy?

• Principles that govern action towards ends
  Titmuss 1974 quoted in McClelland 2005
• An expression of general purpose or desired
  state of affairs, specific proposals McClelland
  2005
• A set of statements/procedures identifying how an
  activity should be conducted

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Why look at social policy?

• AASW guidelines state that social work graduates
  should have the ability to
• analyze, challenge and develop social policies,
  and
• Contribute to debate on social issues, policy and
  community service delivery
• (Mendes 2003220)

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• Core social work activities include
• Pursuit of social justice
• Advocacy
• Actions to reduce inequalities

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Social works connection to social policy

• To address systemic discrimination
• To address service gaps where these gaps cause
  hardship
• Creating change to meet unmet needs
• When policies adversely affect people in need

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• Overall when structures in society cause
  difficulties especially to the vulnerable
• Social policy is critical component of social
  works response to issues of poverty and
  inequality (McClelland 2006)

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Why look at social policy?

• The study of social policy as an academic
  activity is tied to the growth of the welfare
  state (Saunders 20052)
• Focus has extended as the welfare state has
  undergone changes with the dominance of economic
  liberalism (ibid)

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What is social policy?

• no consensus about social policy (Saunders
  20032)
• Social policy is. about choices between
  conflicting political objectives and goals and
  how they are formulated.. (ibid)

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What is social policy?

• McClelland (20058-15) social policy has at
  least three different meanings
• Output Intentions and objectives
• -- Administrative and financial
  arrangements
• -- Outcomes

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What is social policy?

• Social policy as an area of study
• The study of social policy how society as it is
  structured impacts on peoples well-being
• ii. Idea that we can Change society in a planned
  and purposeful manner and improve peoples
  welfare using knowledge and research.
  (McClelland 200512)

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What is social policy?

• Social policy as a process
• The process through which people, governments,
  institutions engage to change existing/implement
  new policies
• Useful actions those actions that will lead
  to improved well-being for citizens

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What is the purpose of social policy?

• Paper over the cracks? (Smith Family 2000)
• To introduce changes to current systems that
  contribute to social well-being?
• Good social policy incorporates
• Developmentunderstood as a social and economic
  process of growth contributes to the freedoms
  that people enjoy

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• Freedom rights, economic/political/social
  opportunities,
• -- Human capability--ability for people to do
  the things that they (Smith 2000)
• social policy..have a responsibility to make
  our values clear when we are discussing a subject
  such as social policywhich has no meaning at
  all if it is considered to be neutral in terms of
  values Titmuss 197427 as quoted by Saunders
  20054)

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Examples of policy statements

• A Fairer Victoria Statement
• Protecting children the next steps
• Disability Action Plan (DHS)
• Australian Greens Policy on Immigration and
  Refugees

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Decisions to be made

• Targeted or universal approach
• A right (entitlement) or conditional on meeting
  particular criteria
• Adequacy or incentives for self-reliance
• Cash or other benefits
• Directed towards individuals, families,
  communities. (McClelland 2006)

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Key concepts of social policy

• Needs the basis of welfare and social policy
  is meeting social needs
• Rights those needs about which there is some
  degree of strong obligation to meetneed capacity
  and interest to meet

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Significant features of social policy

• Purposeful
• Involves power
• Debates about values and goals
• About well-being
• Focus on social relationships
• Concerned with distribution of resources

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• Involves rational analysis and use of empirical
  knowledge
• Output, discipline and process (McClelland 2006)

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Why social policy matters?

• Addresses health and well-being
• Housing options
• Addresses structural discrimination
• Assistance to families child care etc.
• What else?

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References

• Mendes, P. (2003) Teaching social policy to
  social work students a critical reflection.
  Australian Social Work 56(3)
• Smith family Developing a social policy
  framework for the Smith family briefing paper,
  No. 1 2000 Simons, R.
• McClelland, A. Smyth, P. (2006) Understanding
  for Action. Oxford University Press.
• Saunders, P. (2005) Researching social policy
  Trends, Tragedies and Triumphs. Social Policy
  Research Centre, Plenary Address to the 9th
  Australian Social Policy Conference Looking back
  Looking forwards 22-22 July 2005