Policy, Politics and Empowerment FDHS 1203 FDLD 1203

Lesson Outcomes Launch module 1203 Explain the assessment tasks for 1203 Identify the difference between social policy and political science. Describe the process of law making.

What do you think? Explore the : impact of politics and social policy on the individuals who we support The influences of social theory and policy on what we understand of health and ill health Knowledge in: Legislation and policy Skills in: Supporting the people who we support Ask the group to brainstorm what they think this unit will be about? Explain that we will be running 2 units together and that we will look at both health and social care and ld issues throughout this module.

Module Objectives FDHS Demonstrate the links between early sociological theorists work and the social welfare system we have today. Trace the provision of welfare through history from Poor Laws, charity organisations and through Beveridge to today. Demonstrate and understanding of the relationship between international, European and UK law. Evaluate the application of law to practice in health and social care and demonstrate how clients are empowered in this process.

Module Objectives FDLD Examine the key historical developments in policy and practice that have influenced the status of people with learning disabilities in British society. Understand why people with learning disabilities may be excluded from mainstream services and explore measures to address this exclusion. Apply major legislation frameworks and policy that impacts and empowers people with learning disabilities. Review the contemporary ethical and capacity issues influencing care and support of people with learning disabilities. Demonstrate ability to provide support to people with learning disabilities in a person centred way. Explain both of these – point out in the book. Take questions and answers from the group.

How is it going to be assessed? Structure: Spelling, paragraphs, references, module details and student number. Introduction Confidentiality Case study Conclude Give out assignment briefs to all students Then give out the timetable – question and answer with the group. Break Remind not to start this piece of work yet!!!!!!!!!

What is Social Policy? “Social policy is the term used to describe actions, aimed at promoting well being; it is also the term used to denote the academic study of such actions” (Alcock, 1997, cited in Alcock et al, 2000 p1)

Social Policy Social policies have an impact on the “real world” they are not just theory. Policies are goals to improve the welfare of people in our society. They also aim to meet people’s needs – think Maslow!! You need to think about how, what and why?

What is Political Science? The study of Governments, policies and legal systems.

Question?????? What is the difference between a law and a policy? Question How is law made?

Development of Policies The public The media The public services Politicians Subject experts Initially policies begin life as ideas on how to change or manage a situation. These ideas can come from a variety of sources such as Video why laws are made - take notes – relate this to the assignment.

What happens next Cabinet meeting- senior government ministers meeting once a week. Parliamentary committee/subcommittee – smaller focussed group of politicians and civil servants meet to discuss potential new policies. Have more time and, often, knowledge of the issue than the cabinet. If the policy is needed and the idea has some merit then it is subject to discussion in governmental meetings such as cabinet meetings, parliamentary committees and subcommittees.

What happens next GREEN PAPER Distributed to interested parties to gather their views and open up consultation and debate. WHITE PAPER Contains a set of formal proposals on the new law or policy. These are the drafts of what will later become known as bills. Green Paper – There is a consultation period. Not necessarily persuasive but aims to set out the main issues that might lead to a vote on the law The debate may take the form of a public meeting or open enquiries from outside government. Sometimes the discussion around a green paper make it clear that the policy isn’t wanted and it stops there. But sometimes the discussion shows that there is a need for the law and it moves ahead to the next stage which is …………………….. White paper - much more formal. The beginning of the bill which will eventually form the policy or law. Views on a new policy. Letters to MPs, seeing an MP acand taking into account the views of the opposition are all ways that new public policy can be influenced from outside the government are all ways that views about a new policy can be heard White paper is the more formal setting out of the ideas that might gain momentum and push a law forward

Bills A public bill A private bill A Private Members bill So these bills now have to become statutes or acts of parliament All potential laws and legislation starts off life as a “bill” There are 3 types of bills Any ideas what the differences between the might be? Public bill – proposal for a large piece of legislation that affects the whole country, created by the government currently in power Private bill – proposed by a local authority or large corporate and generally only affects the group who proposed it and with little or no effect on the whole country per se Private members bill – prepared by a member of parliament who had to enter a ballot to be guaranteed the time to introduce the bill in parliament. The time to introduce it allows the bill to be debated in parliament. They often fail because the time isn’t allowed for it to be debated in parlaiment. Sometimes introduced to draw attention to certain causes.

The stages that a bill goes through to become an Act of Parliament First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading House of Lords Royal Assent There are seven stages Give out handout with information on. Explain each stage The last time a monarch refused a bill was Queen Anne in 1707 (the Scottish Militia Bill)

New law Is never implemented immediately There is a “familiarisation” period The government issues guidance and directives to public services to identify the changes and the areas that the public services will be responsible and accountable for. The familiarisation period is to make provision for the law to come into force e.g Training Preparation Resources When they are signed they are given an implementation date Important for the general public to have an opportunity to become familiar with a new law If implementation was immediate the public would have difficulty conforming to it. New law if introduced to the public usually trhough the media

The Queen signs-off the bill as a new law or ‘Act of Parliament’. Consultation stage The government makes a draft of the bill and asks senior officials to make comments. The government announces the bill by reading out its title in the House of Commons to let everyone know about it. First Reading Second Reading This is the main debating stage where all MPs can discuss the bill, ask questions and vote on it. It could be voted out at this stage. Committee Stage A smaller group of MPs look at the bill in detail. They may make changes, called ‘amendments’, based on their discussions. Amendments made during the Committee Stage are reported to everyone in the House of Commons. MPs may vote on these amendments. Report Stage Overall consideration of the bill in the House of Commons and final votes to decide whether it goes any further. Third Reading The Lords Stages The bill goes to the House of Lords who follow similar stages. They can suggest amendments to the bill and send it back to the Commons, who may send it back again until an agreement can be reached. If no agreement can be reached, the House of Commons can eventually vote to pass the law without consent from the House of Lords through an Act of Parliament which gives them more power over the House of Lords. The Royal Assent The Queen signs-off the bill as a new law or ‘Act of Parliament’.

Consultation Stage House of Lords House of Commons Royal Assent BILL First Reading Drafting Second Reading BILL Pre-legislative Scrutiny Committee Stage BILL Report Stage House of Commons Third Reading BILL First Reading Second Reading Royal Assent Committee Stage ACT OF PARLIAMENT BILL Report Stage Third Reading

New law Is never implemented immediately There is a “familiarisation” period The government issues guidance and directives to public services to identify the changes and the areas that the public services will be responsible and accountable for. The familiarisation period is to make provision for the law to come into force e.g Training Preparation Resources When they are signed they are given an implementation date Important for the general public to have an opportunity to become familiar with a new law If implementation was immediate the public would have difficulty conforming to it. New law if introduced to the public usually trhough the media

References Alcock C, Payne S, Sullivan M (2000) Introducing Social Policy Singapore Pearson Education Ltd