SP 235 – Social Issues and Policy Responses
Course Description
The course will provide participants with the opportunity to examine pressing social
issues and how policies are designed to respond to these. A selective range of
substantive issues are examined which reflect core issues pertaining to childhood,
youth, parenting, family and community. These issues reflect different needs and
vulnerabilities experienced by certain groups or populations of people. The policy
responses to these identified issues also reflect distinctive yet similar principles and
approaches, which are framed through social work, community development and
family support. The course is divided into various themes to afford participants the
opportunity to investigate the complex nature of the relationship between the
individual, the family and the wider policy environment. A different theme will be
explored in depth each week by separate contributors with specialism in their fields.
Course Objectives: The objectives of the course are to afford participants the
opportunity to begin to understand different aspects of policy design with the social
and political problems they are intended to solve. The course will focus on using
critical thinking skills and theoretical knowledge to attempt to make sense of the
opportunities and experiences of marginalized groups living in a complex and
rapidly changing Ireland.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module students will be able to:
•
Adopt a critical approach to why certain social issues are constituted as
pressing needs to be responded to;
•
Explore the range of policy responses to these issues in contemporary society
and to understand what their distinguishing characteristics are;
•
Critically analyse the intentions of policy design within their socio-political
and cultural contexts.
Teaching and learning methods: Series of lectures.
Methods of assessment: End of semester examination. (Mid-term essay which is
linked to those students attending seminars)
Languages of instruction: English
1
Core texts: Core readings for each week will be identified and additional readings
will be listed. Further readings will be highlighted in relation to each topic weekly.
•
Time and Venue:
o Tuesday 2-3 (D’Arcy Thompson) &
o Friday 12 - 1 (IT 125G)
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Carmel Devaney
Contact Details: Room 212 Research & Innovation Centre
Tel. +353 (0)91 495733
E-mail: [email protected]
TIMETABLE
W eek 1
Date
Tuesday 2-3/
Friday 12-1
9th & 12th Sept
W eek 2
16th & 19th Sept
W eek 3
23rd & 26th Sept
W eek 4
W eek 5
30th Sept & 3rd Oct
7th & 10th Oct
W eek 6
14th & 17th Oct
W eek 7
21st & 24th Oct
W eek 8
28th & 31st Oct
Topic
Lecturer
Introduction & Policy
Concepts/Policy & Practice
Overview
Children and families & the
Irish Policy Response
Child Welfare and Protection in
Ireland: An Introduction
Problematising the current policy
and practice of child protection
and welfare: History of the
Present
Child Death Inquiries: The cases
of Kelly Fitzgerald & Victoria
Climbié
Young People & Sexually
Abusive Behaviour – Contexts
and Correlates 1
Carmel Devaney
Dying in ‘Care’: Reports into
the deaths of children in ‘care’
in Ireland
Young People & Sexually
Abusive Behaviour – Contexts
and Correlates 2.
Gendered Vulnerabilities and Policy Response
Sexual violence and policy
response
Vulnerability of women in
2
Carmel Devaney
Caroline Mc Gregor
Caroline Mc Gregor
Paul Michael Garrett
Declan Coogan
Paul Michael Garrett
Declan Coogan
Nata Duvvury
Nata Duvvury
Nata Duvvury
terms of access to pensions
W eek 9
W eek
10
W eek
11
W eek
12
4th & 7th Nov
11th & 14th Nov
Community
Community Development
Orla Mc Gary
Brian Mc Grath
18th & 21st Nov
Community Development
Brian Mc Grath
25th & 28th Nov
Family support and children
Conclusion
Carmel Devaney
Tuesday 2-3 (D’Arcy Thompson) & Friday 12 - 1 (IT 125G)
3
WEEK 1
9 th
Sept
&
12 th
Description
Key
Reading[s]
Additional
Reading[s]
Introduction;
Concepts in Policy
Dr Carm el Devaney
These introductory sessions outline what this module intends to achieve.
It introduces some of the core concepts which cross cut any identified social
issue and the types of policies designed to respond to this. One such
concept is that of ‘Need’, which it has been argued is a core organising
principle in social policy. We also examine the system of service provision
for children and families in Ireland and frameworks of responding to need.
• Lister, R. (2010) Understanding Theories and Concepts in Social
Policy. Bristol: The Policy Press. Chapters 5 and 6.
Devaney, C (2011) Family Support as an Approach to working with
Children and Families, Lambert Publishing, pp. 74-86 ON LY (Chapter
Two)
Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (2007) The Agenda
for Children's Services: A Policy Handbook. Dublin: Stationery Office.
(available on line)
WEEK 2
Jan 16 th & 19 th
Description
Children and fam ilies Dr Carm el Devaney
& the Irish Policy
Response
The lecture develops an understanding of childhood and the notion of
family and considers how contemporary social issues impact on
functioning within families and on children individually. An overview of
Key Reading[s]
Additional
Reading[s]
the response to children’s needs is outlined within the historical and
social context of the development of children’s services in Ireland.
• Canavan, J. Family and Family Change in Ireland: An
Overview, Journal of Family Issues , 33 (1) 10-28
What do children think about childhood? in Smith, R. (2010) A
Universal Child. Palgrave Macmillan. London pp.161 – 178.
Dolan P. (2011) Youth Civic Engagement and Support Promoting
Wellbeing in McCauley, C., Pecora, P.J., & Rose, W.E. (eds.)
Enhancing the Well Being of Children and Families through
Effective Interventions- International Evidence for Practice.
London: Jessica Kingsley (Chapter 5)
Week 3
Child Welfare and
Protection in Ireland: An
Introduction
Description
The first lecture will provide an introduction to the child protection and
welfare system in Ireland. It will explain the child welfare system. It will
give definitions of what child abuse and neglect are. In so doing, this
Tuesday 23rd Sept
4
Caroline McGregor
lecture will introduce the theme of Child Welfare and Protection: Social
Issues and Policy Responses and contextualize the lectures that are to
follow. The key and additional reading provided give important
introductory context to the policy and practice context on which this
element of the module is based.
Key Reading[s]
HSE (2011) Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook. Dublin,
HSE available at:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Children/WelfarePrac
tice.pdf
Additional
Reading[s]
Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2012) Report of the Task Force
on the Child and Family Support Agency’, Dublin, Stationary Office
Skehill C (2005) 'Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in the
Republic of Ireland: Continuities and Discontinuities between the Past and
the Present' in Kearney N & Skehill C (2005) (editors) Social Work in
Ireland: Historical Perspectives. Institute of Public Administration, Dublin
Skehill, C (2003a) 'Social Work in the Republic of Ireland: A History of
the Present' Journal of Social Work , Vol 3, No. 2
Week 3
th
Friday 26 Sept
Description
Key Reading[s]
Additional
Reading[s]
Problematising the current
policy and practice of child
protection and welfare: History
of the Present
Caroline McGregor
This lecture will offer a critical overview of the child protection system
which was introduced to students in Lecture 1. Using a history of the
present approach, it will draw parallels between moments in the past, and
the present, to highlight the way in which child welfare policy today bears
a complex relationship with its past which needs to be recognized and
understood as a vehicle for effective critical understandings in the present
and for the future.
McGregor C. (2014a) Why is History Important at Moments of Transition?
The case of ‘transformation’ of Irish child welfare via the New Child and
Family Agency. European Journal Of Social Work.
McGregor, C. (2014) ’History as a Resource for the Future: A response to ’Best of
Times, Worst of Times: Social Work and Its Moment’ British Journal of Social
Work. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bct197
Holahan C (2011) In Plain Sight, Responding to the Ferns, Ryan, Murphy,
5
Cloynes report, Dublin, Amnesty International Ireland
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. 2009. Commission to Inquire into
Child Abuse Report. Dublin: Stationery Office. (available online)
F. Powell, M. Geoghegan, M. Scanlon and K. Swirak (2012 'The Irish
Charity Myth, Child Abuse and Human Rights' British Journal of social
Work , Br J Soc Work (2012)
Further reading and resources will be available on Blackboard
Week 4
th
Tuesday 30
Sept
Description
Child Death Inquiries: The cases of Kelly
Fitzgerald & Victoria Climbié,
Paul Michael Garrett
Here the aim will be to look at reports into child deaths: more specifically,
inquiry into the death of Kelly Fitzgerald in the Republic of Ireland and the
inquiry examining the circumstances related to the death of Victoria Climbié
in England.
Key Reading[s]
Suggested Reading:
Cooper, A. (2005) ‘Surface and depth in the Victoria Climbié Inquiry
Report’, Child and Family Social Work, 10: 1-9
Garrett, P. M. (2006) ‘Protecting Children in a Globalised World: ‘Race’ and
Place in the Laming Report on the death of Victoria Climbié’, Journal of
Social Work, 6 (3): 315-336.
Kearney, J. (2013) ‘Perceptions of non-accidental child deaths as
preventable events: the impact of probability heuristics and biases on child
protection work’, Health, Risk & Society, 15 (1) 51-66.
Week 4
rd
Friday 3 Oct
Description
Young People & Sexually Abusive Behaviour – Contexts and Correlates 1.
Declan Coogan
During these two lectures on these themes (which take place on the 3rd and
10th of October 2014) the dilemmas that can challenge us when considering
young people, sexuality and sexually abusive behaviour are explored. In the
first of these lectures, the prevalence and correlates of sexual abuse are
outlined. Questions of the ethics of consent and sexual behaviour within
relationships are considered. Distinctions are drawn between sexually
abusive and sexually problematic behaviour of some young people.
Commonly held perspectives on both the “causes” and treatment of the
sexual abusive behaviour carried out by young people will be questioned.
6
Key Reading[s]
Dept. of Children & Youth Affairs (2011) Children First – National
Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Dublin. Government
Publications Office. Chapter 9 Peer Abuse, pages 60-61. Available at no
charge from
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/Publications/ChildrenFirst.pdf
McGrath, K (2010) Understanding and Managing Sexualised Behaviour in
Children and Adolescents. Dublin. CARI. Available from
http://www.cari.ie/images/uploads/pictures/Understanding%20%26%20
Managing%20Sexualised%20Behaviour%20in%20Children%20%26%2
0Adolescents.pdf
Additional
Reading[s]
Calder, M C (2009) Sexual Abuse Assessment – Using and Developing
Frameworks for Practice. Dorset: Russell House Publishing
Carrington, K & Pereira, M (2009) Offending Youth – Sex, Crime and
Justice. Riverwood, New South Wales. Federation Press.
Chaffin, M et al (2008). Report of the ATSA Task Force on Children with
Sexual Behavioural Problems. Child Maltreatment. Vol. 13. No.2: 199-218.
Week 5
th
Tuesday 7 Oct
Description
Dying in ‘Care’: Reports into the deaths of children in ‘care’ in Ireland
Paul Michael Garrett
In recent years a number of young people have died in ‘care’ in Ireland.
What are some of the main issues associated with these deaths?
Key Reading[s]
Suggested Reading:
Garrett, P. M. (2012) ‘Adjusting “our notions of the nature of the State”: A
political reading of Ireland’s child protection crisis’, Capital & Class, 36 (2):
263-281.
Garrett, P. M. (2014) ‘The children not counted: reports on the deaths of
children in the Republic of Ireland’, Critical and Radical Social Work, 2 (1):
23-43.
Gilligan, R. (2009) ‘The “Public Child” and the Reluctant State?’, ÉireIreland, 44 (1 & 2): 265-291.
Week 5
th
Friday 10 Oct
Description
Young People & Sexually Abusive Behaviour – Contexts and Correlates 2.
Declan Coogan 2.00 – 2.30
In the second of two lectures on the theme young people and sexually
abusive behaviour, policy and practice responses to these problems in
Ireland are outlined. These responses are critiqued in the light of the rights of
7
all children for education, to protection and to appropriate treatment.
Key Reading[s]
Wylie, L A & Griffin, H L (2013) G-Map’s application of the Good Lives
Model to Adolescent Males who Sexually Harm: A Case Study. Journal of
Sexual
Aggression.
Vol.
19,
No.
3:
534-356.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2011.650715
Slattery, P, Cherry, J, Swift, A, Tallon, M & Doyle, A (2012) From custody
to community – development of assessment and treatment for juveniles
serving sentences for sex offences in an Irish context. Journal of Sexual
Aggression.
Vol.
18,
No.1:
8190.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2011.641130
Additional
Reading[s]
Marshall, W L, Serran, G A, Fernandez Y M, Mulloy, R, Mann R E,
Thornton, D. (2003) ‘Therapist characteristics in the treatment of sexual
offenders: tentative data on their relationship with indices of behaviour
change’, Journal of Sexual Aggression. Vol. 9, No. 1: 25-30.
Yee Lee, M, Sebold, J & Uken, A (2003) Solution Focused Treatment of
Domestic Violence Offenders – Accountability for Change. Oxford, New
York: Oxford University Press. (Chapter 8: Useful Assumptions: 130-149).
Week 5
th
Friday 10 Oct
Overview of Child Protection and Welfare Theme.
Caroline McGregor 2.30-3.00
This final half hour will focus on drawing together the main themes covered
in relation to child protection and welfare social issues and policy responses.
Guidance on exam preparation will also be provided.
WEEKS 6,7 &
8
Oct 14 & 17
Oct 21 & 24
Oct 28 & 31
Description
Gendered Vulnerabilities and Policy Response
Dr Nata Duvvury & Dr Stacey Scriver
This set of six lectures focus on providing a deeper understanding of
gendered vulnerabilities and the extent to which these are addressed within
policies through an examination of two key gendered vulnerabilities. First is
the issue of sexual violence and its policy response. Discussion will focus on
the extent and why of sexual violence in Ireland and the policy response it
including legal, health, and NGO responses. The second topic is the
vulnerability of women in terms of access to pensions. The discussion will
unpack the underlying gender norms that circumscribe women’s access to
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Key
Reading[s]
Additional
Reading[s]
pensions as well as analyze the implications of proposed pension reforms in
Ireland.
Hanly, C., Healy, D. and Scriver, S. 2009. Chapter 2: The
Current State of Knowledge: Rape and Attrition in the
Legal System, in Rape and Justice in Ireland. Dublin: Liffey
Press. pages 15-34 only
• RCNI, 2013. National rape crisis statistics and annual
report 2011. Galway: Rape Crisis Network Ireland.
Daly, M. (2001) ‘Between means-testing and social
insurance: women’s pensions in Ireland’ in Ginn, J., Street,
D., & Arber, S. (eds.) Women, Work and Pensions
International Issues and Prospects. Buckingham: Open
University Press, 103-119.
• Frericks, Maier and de Graaf (2007) “European Pension
Reforms: individualisation, privatisation and gender
pension gaps”, Social Politics Summer: 212-237
doi:10.1093/sp/jxmoo8.
Sexual Violence
RCNI, 2010. National rape crisis statistics and annual report
2009. Galway: Rape Crisis Network Ireland
Kelly, L. and Regan, L. 2001. Rape: the forgotten issue? A
European Attrition and Networking Study. London: CWASU.
http://www.cwasu.org/page_display.asp?pageid=STATS&pagekey=
35&itemkey=41
McGee, H., Garavan, R., De Barra, M., Byrne, J. & Conroy, R.
2002. The SAVI report. Sexual abuse and violence in Ireland. A
national study of Irish experiences, beliefs and attitudes
concerning sexual violence. Dublin: Liffey Press
Pensions
Duvvury, N, Ni Leime, Aine and Callan, Aoife. 2012. Older women
workers’ Access to Penions: Vulnerabilities, Perspectives and Strategies.
NUI, Galway and CARDI.
Ivosevic, V, (2009). Pension Reforms in Europe and their impact on
Women. Brussels: Education International.
McCashin, A. (2005) The State Pension- Towards a Basic Income for the
Elderly? in, editor(s) Stewart, .J. , Richer, For Poorer. An Investigation of
the Irish Pension System, Dublin, New Island, 2005, pp. 94 – 128.
9
Phillipson, C. (2004). “Older Workers and Retirement: Critical Perspectives
on the Research Literature and Policy Implications”, Social Policy and
Society 3(2), pp.189-195.
Price, Debora (2006). “Gender and Generational Continuity: Breadwinners,
Caregivers and Pension Provision in the UK”, International Journal of
Ageing and Later Life 1(2): 31–66. WEEK 9
Com m unity
Dr Orla M c Garry
N ov 4 & 7
Description
Key Reading[s]
‘Community’ has received much attention among policy makers in recent
years. Where people live and the extent to which people are made
vulnerable and affected by the nature of where they live occupies a very
important consideration in policy and nature of interventions. Community
and actions planned at the local level, it is argued, can engender social
capital, a sense of belonging, civic renewal and cohesion. We explore the
core concepts and debates surrounding community, how exclusion plays
out at community level and how does policy seek to mobilise communities
into action.
•
•
•
Additional
Reading[s]
Atkinson, R. and Kintrea, K. (2004) ‘Opportunities and Despair;
It’s All in There’: Practitioner Experiences and Explanations of
Area Effects and Life Chances, Sociology, Vol 38, No.1, pp. 437455.
Jack, G. and Jordan, B. (1999) Social capital and child welfare,
Children and Society, 13: 242-256.
Moran, L. (2007). ‘Negotiating Boundaries or drawing a line”
Transcending Insider/Outsider distinctions’, Irish Journal of
Sociology. 16(2), pp. 136-159.
(available online and in library)
Elias, N. & Scotson, J.L. (1994) The established and the outsiders: a
sociological enquiry into community problems. London: Sage.
Cattell, V. (2001) Poor people, poor places, and poor health: the mediating
role of social networks and social capital. Social Science and Medicine,
vol. 52, pp.1501-1516
Chaskin, R. (2008) Resilience, Community, and Resilient Communities:
Conditioning Contexts and Collective Action, Child Care in Practice,
vol.14, no.1, pp.65-74
Jack G. (2004) Child protection at the community level. Child Abuse
Review 13: 368–383.
Jack, G. and Gill. O (2009) The Role of Communities in
10
Safeguarding Children and Young People, Child Abuse Review, vol. 19,
pp.82-96.
WEEK 10 & 11
Community
Development
Dr Brian M c Grath
Nov 11 th & 14 th
Nov 18 th & 21 st
Description
In these sessions we examine the different ways in which community work has
been thought about and implemented as well as the underlying principles
involved in the specific field of activity known as ‘Community Development’.
We trace the history of efforts to work directly and engage with communities
in an international context and identify the agendas, politics and outcomes
surrounding these. Case studies are used to provide practical illustrations of
community development initiatives and policies in Ireland and internationally.
This allows us to gain practical insight into more contemporary principles and
theories of collective action in terms of participation, empowerment and
partnership. Within this evolution of development in Ireland and elsewhere,
we trace the kinds of challenges, tensions, opportunities and dilemmas that
emerge within such arrangements.
Key
Reading[s]
•
•
•
•
•
Additional
Reading[s]
Stepney, P. and Popple, K. (2008) Community as an Organising Focus
for Social Policy (Chapter 4), in Stepney, P. and Popple, K (eds) Social
Work and the Community: A critical context for practice. Houndmills:
PlagraveMacmillan.
Geoghegan, M. and Powell, F. (2006) Community
Development, Partnership Governance and Dilemmas of
Professionalization: Profiling and Assessing the Case of Ireland,
British Journal of Social Work, 36: 845-861.
Shaw, M. (2008) Community Development and the politics of
community, Community Development Journal, 43, 1: 24-36
MacFarlane, A & O Reilly de Brún, M, Nurse, D (2011),Guideline for
Communication in Cross-Cultural General Practice Consultations:
Developing using a Participatory Research Approach, Discipline of
General Practice, NUI Galway (NUIG), Centre for Participatory
Strategies Galway (CPS), Health Services Executive (HSE), and the
Health Research Board (HRB)
Katherine N. Rankin (2002) Social Capital, Microfinance, and the
Politics of Development, Feminist Economics, 8:1, 1-24,
(available online)
Curtin C and Varley T (2002) Communitarian populism and the politics of
rearguard resistance in rural Ireland. Community Development Journal,
11
37(1):20–32.
Meade, R.R. (2012) Government and Community Development in Ireland: The
Contested Subjects of Professionalism and Expertise, Antipode. 44, 3: 889910.Eversole, R. (2010) Remaking Participation: Challenges for community
development practice, Community Development Journal, 47, 1: 29-41.
Kelly, K. and Caputo, T. (2005) Case study of grassroots community
development: sustainable, flexible and cost-effective responses to local needs,
Community Development Journal, 41, 2, pp. 234–245.
WEEK
12
Nov 25 th &
28 th
Description
Key
Reading[s]
Additional
Reading[s]
Family Support in
Ireland
Conclusion
Dr Carm el Devaney
The issue of family support as an operating model for childhood is
considered while key concepts of resilience, social ecology, social support,
social capital and attachment are introduced as a theoretical basis for this
practice orientation
Devaney, C (2011) Family Support as an Approach to working with
Children and Families, Lambert Publishing, pp. 14 – 32 ONLY (Chapter
One)
Pinkerton J. and Dolan, P. (2007) Family Support, Social Capital,
Resilience and Adolescent Coping, Child and Family Social Work Issue 3
Special Issue (August 2007)
Dolan, P., Canavan, J. & Pinkerton, J. (2006) Family Support as Reflective
Practice, London, Jessica Kingsley. Chapter one, pp.11-23.
Considine, M and Dukelow, F (2009) Irish Social Policy: A Critical
Introduction. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, pp 373-384.
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