Miljen Matijašević Office: G10, room 6 (1st floor) Tue, 11:30-12:30

Today’s session 1. Revision of the last session 2. Social Policy

Employment

1. Translate/explain the following terms: a) contractual provisions b) fixed-term contract c) sick leave d) parental pay e) jobseeker f) summary dismissal g) to make sbd redundant h) social exclusion i) employment prospects j) collective bargaining Revision

Social Policy The term used to refer to: Government policies for welfare and social protection Ways in which welfare is developed in a society Academic study of the subject It is an interdisciplinary area which involves issues dealt with in sociology, social work, psychology, economics, political science, management, history, philosophy and law

Social Policy In practice, social policy is concerned with: policy and administrative practice in social services policy and administrative practice in social services (health care, social security, education, employment services, housing management), social problems social problems (crime, disability, unemployment, mental health, learning disability, old age), issues relating to social disadvantage issues relating to social disadvantage (race, gender, poverty)

Welfare Two main meanings of the term: Well-being Well-being of people services Range of services provided to protect people in certain conditions (childhood, sickness, old age, unemployment, etc.) *in the US the term ‘welfare’ refers mainly to financial assistance provided to the poor

The Welfare State Although there are different interpretations of the term, it basically means that the state cares and provides funds to support welfare activities The idea is that the entire society contributes at a proportional rate to income to the well-being of those in need CONTRIBUTIONS to health care and pension funds As opposed to this idea, each individual would have to take care of themselves (provide for health care, pension, etc.)

Welfare ARGUMENTS FOR WELFARE Humanitarian Practical – more social welfare means less poverty and crime Issue – not whether it should exist but how it should be organised and implemented

Welfare ARGUMENTS AGAINST WELFARE In conflict with personal freedom to use own property as desired Based on compulsion May infringe on the rights of the individual May produce dependency on welfare and trap people in poverty Q: In your opinion, which is more important – economic growth or social provision of welfare?

Welfare Welfare is not only for the poor – it helps create social solidary networks from which each individual can benefit excluded Most individuals belong to such networks (through family, work, education, etc.) but some do not – these are considered to be excluded Social inclusion Social inclusion is one of the aims of social welfare In addition – it helps the economy by enhancing the purchasing power of the disadvantaged, thus supporting market stability

Social Policy DISCUSSION As a future social worker, how do you see your role in improving lives of the disadvantaged? What policy changes would you like to see implemented in the future? Do you support the idea that higher education should be free (i.e. state-funded)?

The Scope of Social Policy Read the text on p. 24 ‘The Scope of Social Policy’ 1. What is the aim of social policy? 2. What are contributional and non-contributional benefits? 3. Who are ‘at-risk’ groups?

Provision of Welfare Welfare is provided in the: public sector public sector (state welfare) private sector private sector (provision for profit by commercial organisations – e.g. insurance companies) voluntary voluntary (provision on a non-profit basis)

Provision of Welfare public sector public sector (state welfare) universal standards social control (protection of certain groups, compulsory education, punishment for criminals, etc.) cost-effectiveness residual provision (acts as a safety net for those not provided for in other ways) Do you see any disadvantages to the public provision of welfare? Possibility of corruption, state deciding for the individual, no direct incentive to reduce costs

Provision of Welfare private sector private sector consumer-driven – choice for users better responsiveness to need On the other hand: market-driven systems exclude people with extreme needs – usually more risk involved for the provider

Thank you for your attention!