Social Policy for Social Welfare Professionals: Tools for Understanding, Analysis and Engagement

Abstract

To be sure, there are many books on social policy available today and many of these, as good as they may be, all tend to follow a similar format in relation to the field of study. Generally, such texts provide an overview of the policy terrain, giving some detail as to provenance before discussing, dissecting and debating the relevant issues. In this regard, they all follow a well-trodden path and it might be something to do with the subject matter itself, but many students will say that policy is ‘dry’ and the study of it is often seen as a necessary ‘chore’. This particular book seems to implicitly and courteously acknowledge this generalised view and respond to it creatively. The authors' account of the genesis of the book perhaps gives some insight into the approach they adopt—‘this book was first discussed over poached eggs on toast, bacon sandwiches, teas and coffees in Jay's Café’ (p. iv)—gives a sense for me of the grounded nature of this text and the importance of the need for policy to be seen as real, vibrant and very much alive for all of us, professionals and public alike. The authors state that, in their view, ‘social welfare professionals need to engage with social policy’ (p. 1)—a common assertion in many texts, but this is then given an interesting twist by reference to the their approach, which is ‘to focus on the development of “skills for analysis” or “tools for understanding”’ (p. 1). They advocate that ‘a form of “policy literacy” needs to be developed by all citizens and by practitioners of social welfare in particular’ (p. 2).