Social Work and Social Policy

Social Work and Social Policy
Author: Jonathan Dickens
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2016-01-27
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1317702409

An understanding of social policy is vital for engaging practically with social work values, and dealing with political and ethical questions about responsibility, rights and our understanding of ‘the good society’. This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to social policy, tailored to the needs of a social work audience. The new edition of this popular and accessible text analyses current policies and policy themes relevant to social work, and locates them in the context of fundamental social policy principles and debates. It discusses the nature of social policy and its relationship to social work, and covers essential themes such as: - service user participation and involvement - the balance between individual, societal and state responsibility for people’s wellbeing - the interactions of the state, the private sector, voluntary organisations and the family - the relationships between needs, rights and choices - the purposes and challenges of professional social work - the meanings of ‘equality’, ‘prevention’ and ‘personalisation’. Each chapter ends with activities for reflection and analysis, and suggestions for further reading. Social Work and Social Policy is invaluable for students undertaking social work qualifying courses, all of whom are required to demonstrate an understanding of the social policy contexts of practice.

Young People Not in Education, Employment Or Training

Young People Not in Education, Employment Or Training
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Children, Schools and Families Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2010
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780215553829

Radical change is needed if the Government's latest initiative to increase young people's participation in education, employment or training is to be more successful than past interventions. Whilst some progress has been made towards developing a strategy for 16-24 year olds, the Committee urges the Government to move more quickly to establish a seamless, overarching strategy for this age group. Young people make progress at different rates and many require tailored provision well beyond the age of 18. The Committee recommends extending current policies to a wider range of young people. In the Netherlands, the equivalent of the Jobseeker's Allowance is dependent on compulsory participation in education, employment or training. This may be the way forward for the UK. Many young people looking for work or training need better access to advice on claiming benefits, housing support, or health matters. Providing all these services in a 'one-stop shop' could well meet this need and prove more cost-effective. The Committee was deeply impressed by the work done by some local authorities to increase participation rates among 16-18 year olds. However, existing rewards and incentives offered by the Government are not sufficient to drive widespread improvement. The Government should consider strengthening the incentives offered to local authorities who are successful in raising rates of participation

Reclaiming Individualism

Reclaiming Individualism
Author: Paul Spicker
Publisher: Policy Press
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2013-04-17
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 144730909X

This book is about individualist ideas, and how they shape contemporary approaches to public policy. If we were to believe the existing literature, we might think that only markets can satisfy people's needs, and that any collective concept of welfare compromises individual welfare. The price mechanism is taken to be the best way to allocate resources, and it is assumed that individualised responses to need must be better than general ones.Reclaiming individualism reviews the scope of individualist approaches, and considers how they apply to issues of policy. It argues for a concept of individualism based on rights, human dignity, shared interests and social protection. A valuable resource for those working or studying in social or public policy, this book is a powerful restatement of some of the key values that led to individualism being such a force in the first place.

Children First

Children First
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Education Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 126
Release: 2012-11-07
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9780215049896

In a report that recognises the recent positive developments in the child protection system in England, the Education Committee calls for changes to ensure that all children are treated as children and that their interests are put first. The report examines three key themes: neglect, older children and thresholds for intervention, taking children into care and adoption. On neglect, the Committee found evidence that children are left too long in harmful situations. On older children, an urgent review is needed of the support offered to this group in order that services can be re-shaped to meet their needs. On thresholds, the Committee makes a number of recommendations to ensure that the referrals process makes better use of intelligence from teachers and doctors and to improve co-ordination between agencies, including multi-agency training and greater clarity in guidance over data-sharing. The report finds that the balance of evidence is heavily in favour of care being considered as a viable, positive option at an earlier stage for many children. While welcoming the Government's proposed reforms to the adoption process, the Committee recognises that permanence and stability can be achieved by other means and that these options should also be encouraged. The Committee calls on the Government to monitor the impact of the economic situation and cuts in services on child-safeguarding.

The Work of the Committee In 2008-09

The Work of the Committee In 2008-09
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Children, Schools and Families Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2010
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780215543172

work of the Committee In 2008-09 : Third report of session 2009-10, report, together with formal Minutes

Transitions From Care to Independence:

Transitions From Care to Independence:
Author: Jennifer Driscoll
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2017-09-22
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 131730327X

This important book focuses on the critical role of educational achievement for the wellbeing and success of vulnerable youth in adulthood. It is concerned with three interconnected issues: the support which is or should be afforded to youth ageing out of state care to enable them to fulfil their academic potential; the interdependence of social aspects of ‘care’ and educational attainment for children growing up in state care; and the conditions which are pre-requisite for transition to fully autonomous adulthood, together with the implications of these for the state’s responsibilities to care leavers. These issues are addressed through a review of international literature based on the educational outcomes and life-chances of youth graduating from state care, analysis of the findings of a three-year qualitative study following the educational transitions of young people, and the use of theoretical frameworks to explore the complexities of children’s experiences of the state care system. In doing so the book balances predominantly needs-based discourses with a children’s right perspective, focusing on competence rather than vulnerability and promoting the development of the skills needed for autonomous adulthood. Reconceptualising Transitions from Care to Independence should be considered essential reading for researchers, practitioners and policy makers in the fields of education, childhood studies and adoption and fostering services. Additionally, the issues addressed are of wider relevance to youth transitions to adulthood. Youth ageing out of care provide a particularly insightful case study into the broader cohort of young people entering the workforce in an era of a globalised economy and austerity.

House of Commons - Education Committee: Foundation Years: Sure Start Children's Centres - HC 346-II

House of Commons - Education Committee: Foundation Years: Sure Start Children's Centres - HC 346-II
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Education Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2014-01-08
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780215066022

Incorporating HC 852-i and ii, Session 2012-13. Additional written evidence is contained in Volume 3, available on the Committee website at www.parliament.uk/educom. Incorrect paper number 346-II printed on document

House of Commons - Transport Committee: Access to Transport For Disabled People - Volume I: HC 116

House of Commons - Transport Committee: Access to Transport For Disabled People - Volume I: HC 116
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2013-09-17
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780215062307

In the UK some 11.5m people already live with a recognised disability and more than a fifth of them experience some difficulty when using transport networks. So it's essential that the Department for Transport delivers an ambitious Accessibility Action Plan. Changes made ahead of the 2012 Paralympic Games delivered access for disabled people to significantly more parts of the public transport network for the first time and highlighted the immense value of such improvements for all. Yet a year later, there is a risk that some of the momentum from London 2012 is being lost because further key accessibility improvements planned have been watered-down or abandoned. The Committee's recommendations include: imposing penalties on bus operators who claim to offer accessible routes but then fail to provide accessible buses; the phased introduction of audio-visual information systems on all buses over the next ten years; phasing out the need for disabled travellers having to book organised assistance in advance; financial incentives to encourage investment in fully accessible vehicles by taxi and private care hire vehicle operators; and a change to EU rules so that in future airlines are required to allow carers to travel free of charge when the airline judges a disabled person incapable of travelling independently. The Cabinet Office should convene a working group of ministers and officials to improve cross-government working on accessibility in order to secure the full benefits to be gained from widening disabled people's access to employment and training, healthcare and wider participation in all parts of society