Contemporary Social Policy
SWK311 Assessment 2
Final Essay
What is the policy and its impact on vulnerable groups?
Why should/could you influence change?
How can you influence social policy change?
Developing your own practice framework for influencing policy change
What, Why and How
Critical analysis of social policy
Application of theory to practice
Adherence to academic conventions of writing (eg referencing; writing style)
At least 8 references
Assessment Criteria
a) Critically examine the policy or policies that you consider impact upon a client group
Suggest ways that policy could be changed to improve the life outcomes for those with whom you are working.
Part 1
What is this?
Not just describing
Critical analysis – a reminder
Critically examine
What is the political and ideological underpinning of the social policy?
What is the intended outcome of the policy? Is it achieving this gaol?
How the policy impacts your client group – both positive and negative impacts
How is the policy implemented – for example income support as delivered through Centrelink
Is it the policy or the service delivery that is the problem
Prompt questions
Consider vulnerable populations/clients you work with or those that interest you.
There are likely to be many policies that impact the group you choose. It is important to acknowledge the ways that economic and social policies intersect.
You can select one main policy or several policies for the purpose of the assignment.
e.g. women – are impacted by economic policy, income support, parenting payments and family tax benefits, child care support and many more.
recap
As you have worked through this unit, there are likely to have been topics or issues that have resonated with your , or really grated you.
For example, do you feel angry that people on income support payments appear to be allowed to just sit around and do nothing? Do you think the government supports them to just do nothing?
What would happen if there was a continued tightening of conditions for receiving income support?
Would anyone suffer? Would this matter? Would this impact society?
Why influence change?
Do you consider the government approach to income support is punitive?
Does the approach of welfare conditionality under a neoliberal government leave vulnerable people at risk?
What would drive your approach to intervene in this area of macro policy compared to the approach you would take if you fully supported government’s tightening of access to income support?
Alternatively
It is important to know your current world view and values as you enter any field of human services practice.
This will ensure that your tactics and strategies for influencing policy are transparent and appropriate.
Do your own values and philosophy align with those of your professional association?
Articulate your own theoretical perspective
Develop a framework that you would adopt for influencing policy change that aligns with your professional values, standards and ethics.
Second part
Creating your own practice framework for influencing outcomes to the specific target population
What is a framework?
Why develop a framework for influencing policy?
What should the framework demonstrate?
Understanding the policy making process
Understanding the type of policy – micro, meso, macro
Identifying your strategy for influencing – micro, meso or macro (or any combination)
Articulating the alignment between your professional values, standards and ethics and the framework you have created.
Creating your Framework – on how to influence policy change
| Micro | Meso | Macro | |
| Practitioner Actions | Support welfare beneficiaries through advocating within Centrelink to achieve entitlements | Contributing to research or reports that address the impacts of such policy on individuals or groups of vulnerable people | Contributing to social commentary or advocacy at the political level to influence changes to policy or legislation. Contribute through professional body. |
| Timing | Ongoing as part of client support role. | Strategic points of opportunity (eg by invitation, through advocacy within organisation) | Through key points in the election cycle, recognising the power of marginal seats in the lead up to elections. |
| Professional considerations | Responsibility for pursuing social justice Acting within the law | ||
| Practice intervention | Case work | Program and policy development from within | Community Development / Social Action |
Income Support – neoliberalism and welfare conditionality
Finally bring home your essay with a conclusion that ties together the two parts of your paper.
Ensure you clearly articulate the value of the framework you have developed to influencing change to the policy identified.
Good Luck!!
concluding