Policy interventions-intervening in people's lives

Question 1

What is the definition of intervention?

Answer 1

“the action of becoming intentionally involved in a difficult situation, in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse” Cambridge

Question 2

What do those in power assume in terms of policy?

Answer 2

• Assume we have the legitimacy, the right, (the ability?) and resources to:

• make policy interventions
• implement interventions

Question 3

What do interventions assume about people?

Answer 3

• Are mostly free to act as they want,
• Sometimes do not have the knowledge or structures to make good decisions,
• Can be willing to changing their behaviour

Question 4

What do policy interventions imply?

Answer 4

A claim or warrant about what can be expected to happen if a particular action is taken (Dunn, 1981).

Question 5

When intervening what questions should be considered? ‘Ws’

Answer 5

• Why intervene? (what’s the problem)
• Who is targeted?
• What is the nature of the intervention?
• What is the proposed outcome? (the solution)
• What barriers might there be?

Question 6

Why take precautions?

Answer 6

Because “there is some evidence of a serious threat to health, safety or the environment.” (Nuffield Foundation)

Question 7

What should be considered when taking precautions?

Answer 7

(a) scientific assessment of risk, acknowledging uncertainties, updated with new evidence;
(b) fairness and consistency;
(c) consideration of costs and benefits of actions;
(d) transparency
(e) proportionality

Question 8

What questions should be considered to see if a policy is proportional?

Answer 8

• Are public health goals sufficiently important to warrant particular laws, policies or interventions?
• How likely is the intervention is to achieve goals?
• Is the action chosen the least intrusive and costly whilst still achieving the aims?

Question 9

What are the stages of the traditional intervention ladder?

Answer 9

1. Eliminate choice
2. Restrict choice
3. Guide choice through disincentives
4. Guide choice through incentives
5. Guide choice through changing the default policy
6. Enable choice
7. Provide information
8. Do nothing

Question 10

Explain the traditional intervention ladder?

Answer 10

.

Question 11

How do the interventions change as you move down the intervention ladder?

Answer 11

Interventions move from least to the most coercive/intrusive measures

Question 12

Outline eliminate choice

Answer 12

Heavy regulation

Question 13

Outline restrict choice

Answer 13

Eg: Limit the number of car parks available at a facility

Question 14

Outline ‘Guide choice through disincentives’

Answer 14

To influence people not to pursue certain activities.

Question 15

Outline ‘Guide choice through incentives ‘

Answer 15

Regulations which induce socially desired behaviour (through specific benefits):
e.g. financial benefits

Question 16

Outline ‘Guide choice through changing the default policy ‘

Answer 16

Altering policy hoping to contribute to behaviour change

Question 17

Outline ‘Enable choice ‘

Answer 17

Empowering individuals with better facilities, more opportunities

Question 18

Outline ‘Provide information ‘

Answer 18

Using education to encourage change

Question 19

Outline ‘Do nothing’

Answer 19

• Belief that it is best not to act (not necessarily a bad option)
• Or do not act because of
 -a lack of resources, 
 -other priorities, 
 -a perceived inability to act

Question 20

How should you look at to determine the advantages of each intervention?

Answer 20

• Useful?
• Easy to apply?
• History of success?

Question 21

How should you look at to determine the disadvantages of each intervention?

Answer 21

• Consider precautions and proportions
• Too overbearing? Too oppressive?
• Too weak? Easy to ignore?
• Too costly? (for different stakeholders)
• History of limited success?

Question 22

Explain the swiss cheese model in regards to policy intervention?

Answer 22

.

Question 23

Does intervening work?

Answer 23

• Policy problems are often complex.
• There is a range of tools available to intervene.
• Simply intervening does not guarantee successful change. Indeed, policies often fail.
• Understanding more about the dynamics of a complex situation might lead to better results.