I agree with Paul's very important points. Social policy should be able
to offer a strong combination of understanding the causes and experience
of social disadvantage and inequality, being able to critique policy
approaches in this light, including how problems are framed for
intervention, and being able to conceptualise and deliver programmes
that make a difference. Few students in any of the social sciences are
taught this last one.
Tim
Paul Spicker wrote:
> There is scope for rather more emphasis on the analysis of social
> administration. The title of the paper is "Social Policy and
> Administration". In relation to the detailed description of content,
> however, there is only one mention of "administration", in the line
> referring to the "Organisation, administration, governance and
> management of welfare institutions." There should be reference to
>
> * public sector management,
> * service delivery, and
> * Social Administration, as the study of the institutions,
> mechanisms and processes by which social services are provided.
>
> I've argued elsewhere that the benchmarks, and our current presentation
> of the subject, makes too little of the vocational aspects of Social
> Policy and Administration, which was initially conceived as a
> preparation for work in public service and the voluntary sector. It's
> in our interests to re-assert that position.
>
> Paul Spicker
--
Tim Blackman
Professor of Sociology and Social Policy
Durham University
School of Applied Social Sciences
32 Old Elvet
Durham
DH1 3HN
United Kingdom
Tel: 0191 3346840
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