Outline

By the End of the Lecture:

Define Social Policy
Distinguish between Social Policy and Social
Administration
Review Approaches to Social Welfare
Identify the Need for Social Policy
Review the Goals of Social Policy
Conceptions of Social Policy
Identify the various institutions of social policy

What is Policy?
Richard Titmuss:
the principles that govern action directed
towards given ends
(cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 209)

Policy:
action-oriented;
problem solving
(Alcock, et al)

What is Social Policy?

Social Policy was once seen as Handmaiden and then nurse
of economy; now it is seen as an equal partner to economic
policy, equally integral to development (Kabeer & Cook, 2000).

Social policy is embodied in legislation, institutions,

administrative programs & practices (Aina, 1999, cited in de
Haan, 2007;6) and often is the result of years of struggle and
protests by citizens.
Politics and ideology play a major role in shaping public policy
3

What is Social Policy

The term has two possible meanings
Academic Discipline
Government Intentions and Action that are social in nature (Baldock
et. al. 2012)

Thomas, 2001, cited in Transition, Issue 31, Dec., 2002, p.70 or in

Hall and Benn, 2003:
Social policy refers to:
those aims, objectives and declared intentions of a range of organizations in
the public, private/business, civil sectors and international community that
are intended to reduce poverty and to meet the needs of the population,
both male and female, in order to improve their well-being or welfare,
and to promote the development of the country;

What is Social Policy

(Contd.)
Social Policy is an approach that seeks to promote
peoples welfare by creating governmental social
programmes that enhance the wellbeing of citizens
through providing a variety of social services
(Midgley, 1995, p. 21).
Measures that affect peoples well being, whether
through the provision of welfare services or by
means of policies that impact peoples livelihoods
more generally (Hall and Midgley, 2004).

Social Policy as an Academic Discipline

As an Academic discipline:
Spicker: social policy is the study of the social services and the welfare state
(1995; 3)
Study of social services and welfare provisioning
Guaranteeing and safeguarding well-being are at the core of social policy
Social services (housing, education, health, sanitation, social security, social work, prisons and
rehabilitation centres, employment, legal services, child care and protection, etc.)
Titmuss 1968: 22, cited in Baldock, Manning and Vickerstaff 2012: 19:

Social Policy as OUTCOME!

the analysis and description of policy formation and its
consequences, intended and unintended

What is Social Policy

(Contd.)
Areas of concern following Lord Beveridge:
(Baldock, Manning, Vickerstaff, 2012:8)
Social protection benefits
Health services
Education services
Housing provision and subsidies
Personal social services

What is Social Policy

(Contd.)
Since Lord Beveridge, concerns extend to:
Criminal justice system
Environmental policies
Arts and culture
Gender
Labour markets
Macroeconomics
Governance

Social Policy as Government action

Social policies are public policies which outline the principles
governing action or intentional actions (de Haan, 2007;4)
towards achieving key social goals.

Formal or official response of governments to social

issues
Aina (1999) deliberate intervention in the social life of a
country to ensure the satisfaction of basic needs and
wellbeing of citizens (de Haan, 2007;6).
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Why Social Policy?

To develop human capital /capabilities (Amartya Sen) and
secure livelihoods.
Investment in human capital creates conditions for market
functioning and economic development (de Haan, 2007; 5).
To counteract the negatives associated with socio-economic
stratification systems
Social inequality Cbean and LAC especially
Poverty and Inequality
Marginalization
Prejudice and discrimination
Compromised life chances and well-being

10

Why Social Policy?

To address social needs and social problems
To improve living standards
To reduce social risk or assist households to manage social risk

i.e. vulnerability to adverse outcomes like poverty. The sick,

elderly face greater social risk, (Dean, 2008).
Increasing Access Social Policy must aim to break down
barriers preventing access to services, and promote inclusion of
marginalised groups and social mobility.
11

Values Underlying Social

Policy
Freedom
Rights (social/ human /civil rights)
Equality of opportunity, treatment, etc.
Equity
Justice/Fairness
Democracy participation in decisionmaking (Spicker 2008, 87).

11

Early Interpretations of
Meaning of Social Policy
Professor Macbeath (1957)
Social policies are concerned with the right ordering
of the network of relationships between men and
women who live together in societies, or with the
principles which should govern the activities of
individuals and groups so far as they affect the lives and
interests of other people (Titmuss, 1974; p.28 cited in
Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 212)

13

Interpreting Macbeaths
Definition
Reconciling of the two sides of man egotistical and
altruistic activities
Shaping morals, values, norms of behaviour to create
an orderly and stable society
Significant Govt intervention in social and cultural life
14

Early Interpretations of
Meaning of Social Policy
Professor Hagenbuch (1958)
the mainspring of social policy may be said to be the
desire to ensure every member of the community
certain minimum standards and certain opportunities
(Titmuss, 1974; p.29 cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001;
213)

15

Interpreting Hagenbuchs
Definition
Provision of welfare and
general social services for all at
a basic level

16

Early Interpretations of
Meaning of Social Policy
Professor Lafitte (1962)
in the main social policy is an attempt to
steer the life of society along channels it would
not follow if left to itself (Titmuss, 1974; p.30
cited in Alcock, et al (eds.), 2001; 213)

17

Interpreting Lafittes
Definition
Social policy more concerned public health
and the environment (provision of national
parks and community facilities, reducing
pollution)
Social goods not usually provided by the
market
Less emphasis on social welfare issues
18

Early Interpretations of Meaning of Social

Policy

Professor Marshall (1965)

Social Policy is taken to refer to the
policy of governments with regard to action
having a direct impact on the welfare of the
citizens, by providing them with services or
income. The central core consists, therefore,
of social insurance, public assistance, the
health and welfare services, housing policy
(Titmuss, 1974; p.30 cited in Alcock, et al
(eds.), 2001; 213)
19

Interpreting Marshalls
Definition
Social policy should address all areas
of social need
Social rights are seen as part of
citizenship
20

The Caribbean: A Special

Articulation?
C.Y. Thomas: Social Policy should be all
embracing, to include non-traditional areas
of social action, including employment &
labour market policy, the justice system,
governance, gender equality, arts &
entertainment, macroeconomic regulations,
& income & asset redistribution
(Transition, Issue 31, Dec., 2002)
21

Caribbean articulations of the meaning

of Social Policy
C. Y. Thomas, 2001; 70

Social policy refers to:

1) those aims, objectives and declared intentions of a

range of organizations in the public, private/business, civil
sectors and international community that are intended to
reduce poverty and to meet the needs of the
population, both male and female, in order to
improve their well-being or welfare, and to promote
the development of the country;
2) the way these declared aims, objectives and intentions
are translated into specific programmes and projects for
change; and,
3) the monitored outcomes of these programmes and
projects
22

Interpreting Thomas
Definition
Emphasis on poverty reduction and development
Highlights gender as an important factor
Stresses need for implementation, monitoring and
evaluation

23

Caribbean Articulations of
Social Policy
o

Social Policy Evaluation Project (JASPEV) This

project sought to improve the way social policies are
designed, delivered and monitored in order to make
these processes more inclusive, participatory, and
transparent.

Jaspev sought to widen & deepen stakeholder

participation in policy making

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Other Developmental Approaches to

Promoting Social Welfare (Midgley 1995)
Social Philanthropy
Private Giving and Charity
Traditionally based on Religion
Sharing and caring
Donating
Activities of Salvation Army, Red Cross, Food for
the Poor
Charity Organisation Societies

Other Developmental Approaches to

Promoting Social Welfare (Midgley 1995)
Social Work
A profession uses professionals to deal with social
problems
Concerned with enhancing social functioning of
individuals, families, groups and communities
Intervention and treatment using various
psychotherapeutic approaches.

Social Policy and Social

Administration?
the area of (social policy) concerned with the
practicalities of service organisation and delivery
(http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy/introduction/socadmin.htm)

Procedures and organizations established by

governments to deliver the intentions that lie
behind social policies in ordered and predictable
ways (Baldock, et al 2007: 16)

The Link between Social Policy and Social

Administration
We already know that Social Administration speaks to the
procedures and organizations set up to deliver the Social Policy
intentions
So, Social Administration speaks to the machinery required to
execute Social Policy
Baldock, Manning, Vickerstaff, 2012: 17) Social Policies
generally use one of three main administrative forms to achieve
their goals:
Regulation: such as seat belt legislation, food handlers permits, building
regulations, etc.
Service In-kind: such as free health care, free education or free tuition,
social housing such as NHTs Inner City Housing Development project

The Institutions of Social

Policy The Social Division
of Welfare
The State
Civil Society
The Private Sector
International Development and Financial
Agencies

The Institutions of Social

Policy The Social division
of Welfare
The State
Main architect of social policy and the main driver of social
reform (Hall and Midgley, 2004)
The State is central to the organization and delivery of social
welfare and the establishment of policies (Spicker, 1995)
JASPEV
Determines Social Developmental Policy Priorities
Welfare as safety nets
Governments can be out of touch with local people

The Institutions of Social

Policy The Social division
of Welfare
Civil Society (The Voluntary Sector)
Modification of the view of the state as the sole
provider of welfare services
Key actors in the design and implementation of
Policy
Domestic and international NGOs (Some Religious
groups)
Grassroots Development Organizations
Increasing amount of AID is channelled through
NGOs

The Institutions of Social

Policy The Social Division
of Welfare
The Private Sector
The private sector is detrimental to the functioning of
the economy Wages, employment
Their activities have profound socio-environmental
impacts
Hence social policy implications are manyshocks to
the private sector affect national situation for eg
increasing unemployment or increasing poverty
Divestment of state assets
What about the Jamaican situation?

The Institutions of Social

Policy The Social Division
of Welfare
International Development and Financial Agencies
Globalization which leads to the blurring of national boundaries
SAPs of the IMF and the World Bank and Other Developmental
Agencies
Reduced spending on social services
Public sector transformation and wage freeze

Recent developments regarding the Trafficking in persons Act

Various watch lists
International legislation and treaties to which we are signatories eg ILO
Pioneering development work in certain key areas such as health,
education etc by the World Bank and United Nations

Goals of Social Policy

Guaranteeing and Safeguarding Welfare and
Wellbeing
Strengthening and Protecting Livelihoods
Protecting the Vulnerable
Aiding Economic Development

Growth and development are compromised by unsound

social policies

Reducing the negative effects of social stratification

Reducing inequality

Goals of Social Policy Contd

Poverty Alleviation
Protection of Human Rights

Why the Need for Social

Policy
To achieve the various goals of Social Policy
Social Policies are important, they affect the way that
people live
It engages with serious social problems
Social Policies protect the vulnerable in the Population
Provides safety nets or social protection

Poverty as personal pathology.Discuss