SOCY06043 2016 Social Care and Social Policy
Students will be introduced to some key concepts in social policy- the study of the social relations necessary for human
wellbeing and the systems by which wellbeing may be promoted in our society. Wellbeing is about what we need to make life worth living: essential services, such as healthcare and education; jobs and money and vital things such as love and security. Provision of these things is undertaken by a host of different agencies: by government and official bodies; through businesses, social groups, charities, local associations, and churches; through neighbours, families and loved ones. This module aims to introduce social care students to the centrality of the social policy process, i.e the principles, and actions which shape how the state defines wellbeing, who should be responsible for the wellbeing and how should it be delivered.
This module maps to the CORU Standards of Proficiency below:
Domain 1: Professional Autonomy and Accountability
Domain 2: Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking
Domain 5: Professional Knowledge and Skills
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Describe the subject matter of social policy and its relevance to social care practice (Domain 1.9, 2.6, 5.2, 5.15).
Assess the historical development of social policy in Ireland in terms of its impact on the Irish Welfare state (Domain 1. 9, 2.6, 5.2, 5.14, 5.15).
Assess the impact of economic development, the Catholic church, and other political interests on social policy development in Ireland (Domain 1.9, 2.6, 5.2, 5.15).
Outline key concepts in social policy, including individualism, social risk, keynesian economics, universalism, collectivism, citizenship, welfare state, privatisation, new public management as central to understanding social policy (Domain 1.9, 2.6, 5.2, 5.14, 5.15).
Be familiar with the contemporary context of ideological debate with particular reference to feminism and globalisation (Domain 1.9, 2.6, 5.2, 5.14, 5.15).
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Teaching will be delivered in a 1 x 2-hour lecture format each week accompanied by a1 hour tutorial discussion and case study period with guided learning programmes to ensure core concepts are applied in a social care context.
Module Assessment Strategies
Assessment in this module will ensure learners have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of core concepts and how these are applied in social care contexts. The assessment strategy seeks to (i)apply core concepts in a policy and practice context relevant to social care and (ii)to demonstrate in-depth understanding in 1-2 areas of social policy in terms of social services and social groups. As such they will be required to develop a case study for presentation in class and compile a research report related to a field of social care
This modules assessment allows for assessment of CORU Standards of Proficiency as follows:
Case study presentation and discussion 60% Learning Outcomes 3,4,5 (Domain 1.9, 2.6, 5.2, 5.14, 5.15)
Research Report 40% Learning Outcomes 1 and 2 (Domain 1.9, 2.6, 5.2, 5.14, 5.15)
Repeat Assessments
A 500 word Research Report.
Indicative Syllabus
Introduction to social policy and its relevance to social care
Historical development of social policy in Ireland with reference to the roots of social policy pre- 19th century, the Poor Law, its application in Ireland and the impact of the Famine, growth of the roman catholic church as provider of social services, the development of school, hospitals, children's charter, and cash payments such as pensions, national insurance. Assess the importance of these on later development of the Irish welfare state
Recent influences in social policy: the women's movement, the EU, equality concerns, poverty, economic crises, the politics of social partnership and deepening dualisms in Irish social policy into the 21st century
Core concepts: worlds of welfare- characteristics of welfare states and Irelands location; social risk, individualism, welfare capitalism, selectivism, universalism, citizenship, equality, corporatism, globalisation.
Introduction to social policy in social service provision: social welfare, health, education, and housing policy.
Categorisation and inclusion framework of social rights: social policy and children, disabled people, carers.
Issues of diversity and discrimination: social policy and Travellers, Immigrants and the LGBT community.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Research Report | Project | Written Report | 40 % | Week 5 | 1,2 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Case study presentation and in-class discussion | Final Exam | Group Project | 60 % | Week 10 | 3,4,5 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Lecture Theatre | Learning | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
Tutorial | Flat Classroom | Tutorial Learning | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Required & Recommended Book List
2009 Irish Social Policy: A critical Gill and Macmillan
Core social policy textbook
2006 Social Policy in Ireland: Principles, Practice :-:- Problems Liffey Press
2007 Young People in Contemporary Ireland, Gill and Macmillan
2015 Social Progress In Ireland Social Justice Ireland
2015 Living Wage 2015 Social Justice Ireland
2016 Children and Food Insecurity a crisis for Irelands future TASC
2015 November Budget 2016 Equality Analysis TASC
2015 Cherishing All Equally TASC
2015 CRA Annual Report Card 2014 CRA
2014 Mapping the National Disability Policy School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin
Module Resources
Social Justice Ireland at www.social justice ireland.ie
TASC Think Tank for Progressive Soical Change at www.tasc.ie
Childresn Rights Alliance at www.cra.ie
National Disability Authority at www.nda.ie