1 choose an ineffective Australian social policy that impacts on you (or that is important to you) and write a submission to government for change that is needed in that area; or

2  consider how an important aspect of life, for someone (in some group) is negatively affected by a social issue and write a submission to government for social policy intervention in that area; or

3 find any current government social policy review that is asking for submissions and prepare a submission to them regarding your argument about the need for change.

In your chosen case you must consider what the current (social or policy) problem is and how new social arrangement (including social work services if appropriate) are needed to assist people to deal with it, if rights and social justice are to be achieved.

Use one of the policy analysis models from your unit readings and develop an understanding of each of the components of the model.

Introduction

[Describe what problem or policy you are going to talk about and why you write on this.  (This partially identifies the problem to be examined) Write a few short sentences that explain the steps in your argument that will follow.  Then briefly say (1 short sentence) where your argument starts (ie background).]

Background

[What is the current situation?

–Specify the specific social problem and if relevant the failure of a social policy that should be dealing with that problem.

– A very brief case example might be included here to explain the policy failure.

– You might or might not want to include tables; figures or appendices throughout

Explain what circumstances exist and how these have led to the current problem/policy situation? (Briefly Evidence this)

What ideological (community and government values) underpin the way the problem or policy is understood? (Read the material on ideology before you do this and try to support your ideological argument with political statements, analysis of them and alternate perspectives from social welfare policy texts if possible)

Lobby groups and their influence on policy might be considered here or in the Policy Analysis section.  This could be about helpful lobby groups of ones that seek to stop policy development for ideological reasons]

Policy Analysis

Structural Matters

How is the relevant current polity structured and implemented now.

If you say there is no policy and some is needed then you must consider the surrounding policy and the gap

The social problem; policy issue or challenge

Use a policy model to examine the policy cycle, steps, or components.  Dont just draw a figure from the text, apply the analysis to what is going on in the Australian (or other) context

You should use a policy analysis here and make clear how the ‘policy problem’ has been identified and dealt with through policy action (implementation)

 Make it very clear that you have analysed the way that the policy-makers have identified which problem they are actually responding to.  Is the official  ‘policy problem’ the most appropriate one and is there a better way of looking at the social situation (as a problem that can be solved)  How logical is the policy as an answer to that problem.

The Social Policy Implementation Strategy

Explain your intended change and why it is important.  Consider how an alternate analytical view to the existing one might provide better insight into the problem and more rational and socially effective approaches to solving the problem.

The Effectiveness of this approach

Justify the effectiveness of this approach to the problem.  Use terms like needs; appropriateness; social justice; human rights; efficiency and effectiveness. 

(Please consider if the current government actually cares about social justice etc  for ideological reasons or if you need to argue that your approach is socially just and is an efficient way of improving the social situation)

A very brief case example might be included here to articulate your points.  (only if you can fit it within the word limit.

Summary and Conclusion

Summarise your argument and conclude it. 

Recommendations

[This is really the material that should be at the end after the conclusion but for the convenience of readers it is often put up front]