Social Work Policy Analysis
Social workers help children, families, the elderly and others cope with challenges in their daily lives. From unemployment and substandard housing to chronic illness and substance abuse, social workers provide support and advocacy for people facing these and other issues. Social workers with appropriate knowledge and training can use techniques of public policy analysis to help design programs and initiatives that better serve their clients.
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Identification
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Policy analysis is an interdisciplinary form of social science research that examines public issues and analyzes policy proposals for addressing them. Policy analysis in social work centers on policies and programs designed to address such social issues as welfare, affordable housing and those related to the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Social workers employed in education and health care settings may analyze policy proposals in these areas, as well.
Features
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Social work policy analysis uses qualitative and quantitative research techniques, such as case studies, interviews, surveys, statistical analyses and others, to study social issues and assess policy proposals for alleviating problems. Master's degree programs in social work include required courses in social science research methods. Such courses help provide social workers with the research and analytical skills necessary to conduct policy analysis.
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Types
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In addition to studies that compare and contrast proposals for alleviating social problems, other types of social policy analyses include evaluations of existing social programs, cost-benefit analyses and studies that assess the implementation of new social programs.
Potential
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As the front-line providers of social services, social workers can offer valuable insight into the implementation and impact of programs in social welfare, public education, health care and treatment of the elderly. Policy analysis that includes a social work perspective has the potential to lead to the design of more effective programs and interventions.
Considerations
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In addition to professional social work experience and knowledge of social research methods, social work policy analysts should have an understanding of the social, political and economic contexts in which policy-makers formulate new initiatives.
Expert Insight
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Author Susan Einbinder, in a chapter in "The Handbook of Social Work Research," proposed a framework that incorporates social work values into policy analysis. An analyst using this framework should ask if the policy analysis addresses issues of race, gender and social class; whether the policy proposals aim to reduce socioeconomic inequalities; and if the analysis accounts for the historical and cultural contexts of the affected groups. Social work policy analysts also should strive to keep their analysis free of social and cultural biases. Einbinder contends that a policy analysis framework that incorporates social work values can lead to programs that advance the well-being of clients and of the social work profession.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Beijing Poverty image by Lenkarl from Fotolia.com
