Chapter 7 Flashcards
What does social policy pertain to?
Provincial, federal, or municipal government legislation or service delivery frameworks that guide methods of intervention in direct practice.
As a social worker, why is important to study and analyze practice models of practice?
To consider the effectiveness of practice models in achieving the desired social outcome of social inclusion, and also the desired outcome for members of a service user group.
What signifiant implications do income security programs have?
- Where people can afford to live
- What they can afford to eat
- The extent to which they can engage in social and recreational life
- The level or quality of social inclusion that a group of service users experiences
What factors impact the service users experiences?
- government-mandated policies
- eligibility requirements
- programs and focus of efforts of organizations that act as sites for for social work
- organizational policies that structure service provision
What overall shift has made social workers aware of the way policy affects direct practice?
A shift away from support for the welfare state to the dismantling of programs and the restricting of access to social services.
(neo-liberalism)
What is the person-in-envrionment approach?
A focus on the individual in a wider context (family system, organizational system, community, society) as well as the complex relationships between the individual and these broader structures.
In 1915, Abraham Flexner issued a stinging indictment of social work. What did he urge social workers to do?
Enhance their status as a profession by emulating the medical profession.
Since the shift from indivdualism that pervaded social work until the 1920s, the majority of social workers and social work students have been directed towards what?
Interventions with individuals and families.
For what reason do some social workers still maintain their focus on individuals?
Individuals and families present themselves directly to us; they are immediately available as the focus of possible changes, whereas policy changes are slow.
What influences do contemporary social work scholars consider that were not traditionally factored in the welfare state era?
- Broader influences of civil society/third sector
- Influences of private sector
- Mezzo-level social work practice (organizational level factors and practice roles related to social work manager, social welfare leader, and agent of social change)
What is the role of organizational level practice?
It acts as a bridging agent between macro-level change tactics and improved micro-level social outcomes for service users.
What are the 2 traditional ways that scholars thought social welfare needs would be met?
- Through market practices and measures
2. Through a more elaborate federally-directed social policy framework guaranteeing economic equality and human rights
What is the “third-way” to provide social welfare that social welfare scholars have been arguing for?
Social welfare development through civil society and social capital (e.g. nonprofit organizations and other forms of association such as grassroots initiatives or individual acts of reciprocity, such as donating or volunteering)
What is the role of the third sector in relation to social welfare and social work?
Nonprofits influence both public policy and act as agents for the development of civil society. Since many social workers are are employed by direct service nonprofits, their role in social welfare and social policy development becomes tied to their day-to-day work efforts with service user groups.
From the work of Tocqueville comes the idea that social issues are rooted in a lack of social ties. How does this relate to the concept of “social capital” and non-profits and the voluntary sector?
They create opportunities for individuals to participate and can aid in reducing the social exclusion of segments of the population.
From the work of Gramsci come the idea that the role of civil society is to mobilize popular discontent, promote empowerment and to create systemic change. How does this relate to nonprofits and the voluntary sector?
They are seen as active agents that seek to address issues of inequality and mobilize groups to create social change.
In what 4 ways are direct service nonprofits important in contemporary social work?
- They are exposed to the day-to-day needs of service users
- There is a historical context in which social change emerges from the local level
- There have been structural changes within the social welfare system where neo-liberal governments have move away from traditional welfarism
- Their social, economic and political impacts meet emerging and persistent needs, they support labour market and general economic growth, and provide opportunities for active citizenship through advocacy efforts and volunteerism.
How have direct service nonprofits been redefining their relationship with public policy?
Through emerging practices and perspectives of social entrepreneurship and social innovation.
What is a social enterprise?
A business that has a social mission, where the profits and assets accrued are utilized to achieve a particular social purpose.
Why are many direct service nonprofits engaging in market-based efforts to generate revenues, such as the development of social enterprise initiatives?
To develop programming and new methods of intervention beyond the sometimes narrow focus of existing government initiatives.
What 3 actors are involved in the contemporary model of governance?
- Government
- Private sector (business/market)
- Civil society (third sector/community)
What is the difference between the contemporary model and the traditional welfare model?
In the contemporary model, there is a deeply embedded cross-sector interrelationship.
In the traditional welfare model, there are one-sided relationships between the government and non-profits and between the private sector and non-profits. Civil society actors are viewed in silos of distinct service areas.
What does existing evidence show about nonprofits and civil society actors?
They are not just silos of direct practice, only involved in political advocacy. They are the combined collective relationships between people and non-profits, and these associations happen on a continuum aimed at creating social change and generally represent various forms of community practice.
What are some of the collective associations that civil society actors engage in to shape social policy and social welfare development?
- Individual forms of association
- Grassroots initiatives
- Formal nonprofit organizations
- Service sector networks
- Intra-sectoral partnerships
