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Social Policy for the Hnc in Social Care Essay

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Social Policy

To gain a better understanding of Social Policy we need to look at its definition:

Social Policy is the study of social services and the welfare state. In general terms, it looks at the idea of social welfare, and its relationship to politics and society.

The principal areas relate to

Policy and administrative practice in social services, including health administration, social security, education, employment services, community care and housing management;

Social problems, including crime, disability, unemployment, mental health, learning disability, and old age;

Issues relating to social disadvantage, including race, gender and poverty; and

the range of collective social responses to these …show more content…

Demographic questionnaires are a good source of gaining public opinions on government policy and product placement depending on gender, race and social class.

The funding mechanisms for social care services enable service user’s access to a range of services to support themselves in their own homes, institutional care and hospitals. In terms of finances a legislative framework was introduced, resources were transferred from the National Health Service and the Department of Social Security to local authorities, and social work departments were given a key role in the planning, assessment and commissioning of community care services.

Statutory services; are those required by law to be provided by local authorities or other governing bodies such as:

• Social Work ( Scotland ) Act 1968

• Disabled Persons (Services, Consultations and Representations) Act 1986

• NHS and Community Care Act 1990

• Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995

• Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996

(http://www.scottish.parliament.uk).

Such services are funded by the government where a national budget is set via the Scottish Executive. Currently the local government is making changes to delivering public services to

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