Changes in the UK Social Policy since 1945 - Essay Example

?How changes in ideology since 1945 to present have impacted on social policy in the United Kingdom How changes in ideology since 1945 to present have impacted on social policy in the United Kingdom Social policy is simply a policy, which deals with social issues. In the United Kingdom (UK), there are several historical and contemporary landmarks in social policy. Social policy became prominent in the UK following World War II when quick expansion of major public services impelled interest in the emerging welfare state. Social policy just after the Second World War covered only five issues: unemployment, poor housing, poverty, inadequate education and sickness. However, in contemporary times, social policy covers other additional vital social ills such as sexism and racism, and is a contemporary landmark is social policy (Baldock 2008, p. 21). In the period around 1945, the subject of social policy was largely concerned with what the main architect of the British welfare state, William Beveridge, described as the 5 giants. In contemporary terms, these giants included joblessness, inadequate education, poverty, poor housing and ill health. For William, dealing with these social ills was a crucial component of the post war rebuilding. The rollout of services aimed at addressing the social ills marked a major shift concerning social citizenship and it was only natural that a dissimilar body of intellectuals would turn their attention to this significant facet of government policy (Hunter & Killoran 2010, p. 25). Nonetheless, over the course of the period after 1945, analysts of social policy started to see gaps in the welfare state of Beveridge. They pointed to persistence of poverty amidst plenty, and the hidden giants of racism and sexism not tackled by the Beveridgean welfare state. These criticisms have shaped contemporary social policy that covers the areas that welfare state failed to address. The changes have broadened contemporary social policy and have necessitated the UK government to work with other groups such as businesses, families and charities so as to deliver effectual social policies (Baldock 2008, p. 27). The process involved in the development of a key Act of Parliament is as follows: If the bill starts from the House of Commons, it goes through the following processes in the House of Commons: 1st reading, 2nd reading, Committee stage, Report state and 3rd reading. Next, it goes through the following processes in the House of Lords: 1st reading, 2nd reading, Committee stage, Report state and 3rd reading. The next step is Consideration of amendments and the final step is Royal Assent. If the bill starts from the House of Lords, it goes through the following processes in the House of Lords first: 1st reading, 2nd reading, Committee stage, Report state and 3rd reading. The bill then goes through the following process in the House of Commons: 1st reading, 2nd reading, Committee stage, Report state and 3rd reading. The step after that is Consideration of amendments and lastly Royal Assent. There are 2 major influences on the development of social policy: firstly, ideologies – differing ideologies from those of William Beveridge in the post-War period to those of scholars in the course of the post-War era who critiqued Beveridge to contemporary social policy analysts and intellects have served to shape and broaden the concept of social policy in the UK. The ideology of William Beveridge stressed on the 5-giants, whist those of succeeding scholars and analysts broadened on them to what social policy entails currently (Hill & Hupe 2009, p. 42). Secondly, politics/government is also a major influence in that if political leaders and the government do not pass/enact laws that support social policy and social policy initiatives, then social policy would not be effective. Imperative Acts in line with social policy such as the National Insurance Acts that favours the disabled, elderly and unemployed; and the Education Act that encouraged all children to attend school illustrate the significance of politics and government about social policy. Governments essentially execute every social policy, thus politics/government is a major influence (Hill & Hupe 2009, p. 44). Organisations and practitioners can also implement social policy. Implementing social policies often involve organizations, both outside and within government, as well as practitioners working to deliver human services. Organizations and practitioners implement social policy regarding health by working to improve health of citizens in the country and to reduce inequalities of health countrywide. Social policies that are aimed at the poorest people are implemented through social services typified by benefits that are hard to enforce and a low budget (Baldock 2008, p. 77). Social policies as implemented by practitioners and organizations are aimed at providing for the wellbeing and social protection of people and consist of actions that help in preventing social risk or to solve existing social problems. For the case of the underprivileged, social policy is implemented in ways that ensure minimum standards of wellbeing such as provision of basic education. Practitioners and organizations implement social policies concerning health services by helping to provide prompt and quality care to the poorest members of the society (Walmsley 2000, p. 39). Measures intended to fight poverty are implemented using projects financed by non-governmental organizations. The impact of social policy on users of health and social care services can be measured by looking at the improvement, or lack of improvement about their health and social wellbeing. For instance, if there is an improvement in their health and social wellbeing, then the social policy on the users will be considered as effective and successful. Conversely, if no improvement is seen, then the social policy would be considered as ineffective. The specific policy on users of the relevant social service is that which aims at fighting poverty and the users are the poorest people in the community. The relevant social service is the provision of welfare, which entails giving financial assistance to the poorest people in the country who cannot afford basic services. Financial assistance or unemployment payment is simply a direct distribution of funds to civilians (Baldock 2008, 90). The financial assistance is given to individuals who lack money or socially accepted amount of material possessions. The problem of socio-economic gaps and increasing poverty is one of the problems that the UK faces presently. This problem is tackled to some extent through the provision of financial assistance to the poor. Other than providing financial assistance, the policy that helps to fight poverty also entails helping the poor to secure employment. This policy has helped to lead many people out of poverty in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (Hill & Hupe 2009, p. 22). Recent development in health and social policy in the UK has largely focused on increasing the availability and accessibility of healthcare in order to both decrease existing inequalities in healthcare and improving general health of citizens in the country. It is of note that there are clear dissimilarities concerning the incidence of sickness by social class. Persons from lower social classes including children have a higher likelihood of suffering from pneumonia, violence or poisonings, as well as parasitic and infectious illnesses. Adults from lower social classes have a high likelihood, additionally, of suffering from respiratory illness, heart disease and cancer (Carvalho & Reeves 2011, p. 18). There are usually major inequalities in accessing healthcare according to social class. Recent developments have entailed reduction in costs of medicine in hospitals and expanding primary care to cover more people, especially the poor. The formation and adaptation of social policy initiatives in the United Kingdom often involves the participation of every relevant stakeholder including the government, pertinent organizations and practitioners, as well as users. On the other hand, the national government without the involvement of parties often undertakes other national perspectives. No other stakeholders are involved; it is only the government. For instance, housing initiatives often involve the participation of all stakeholders including developers, government and the tenants in the provision of affordable housing (Department for Communities and Local Government 2013). In conclusion, there have been significant changes in social policy in the UK since the post-War period up to present day. Initially, the concept of social policy only comprised the five giants identified by William Beveridge that included joblessness, inadequate education, poverty, poor housing and ill health. However, in contemporary times, the subject has been broadened to include sexism and racism among other social ills. The major influences of social policy are ideologies and politics/government. The impact of social policy on users of health and social care services can be measured primarily by looking at the improvement, or lack of it about their health and social wellbeing. References Baldock, J 2008, Social Policy. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Carvalho, S & Reeves, M 2011, Fundamental Aspects of Nursing: Legal, Ethical & Professional Issues in Nursing. Coventry, England: Quay Books. Department for Communities and Local Government 2013, Policy: Improving the Rented Housing Sector. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/improving-the-rented-housing-sector--2 Hill, M & Hupe, P 2009, Implementing Public Policy: An Introduction to the Study of Operational Governance. London, England: Sage Publications. Hunter, DJ & Killoran, A 2010, Tackling Health Inequalities: Turning Policy Into Practice? Bristol, England: Springer Publishers. Walmsley, J., Reynolds, J., Shakespeare, P & Woolfe, R 2000, Health, Welfare and Practice. London, England: Prentice Hall. Read More