IMPACT OF POLICY

Impact of Policy on the Placement Organization



Abstract

This paper discusses the policies affecting the voluntary organization which I have chosen. In this paper I will be discussing the “Supporting People Programme” which was introduced in April 2003. This was an initiative taken by the Local Government as a national policy in order to offer vulnerable people the right type of housing related support so as to maintain independence and choice in the community. I will attempt to identify the strength and weaknesses of the agency's response to this programme and the implementation of these services to the community and how it has influenced service users / carers and my practice as a social worker.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Discussion5

Government Policies for support people program5

Impact of policies on the placement Organization6

Positive implications7

Negative Implications7

SWOT analysis9

Strengths9

Weakness9

Opportunities9

Threat10

My Role as a Social Worker10

Personal Learning understanding from the placement Organization12

Conclusion15

References16

Impact of Policy on the Placement Organization

Introduction

The voluntary organization I undertook my placement provides affordable homes and housing services to people in communities across London and Essex. The supporting people programmer also building homes every year and are selling shared ownership properties to people who would not be able to afford their own homes. They also assist and support vulnerable individuals in need of a home. Assistance is also provided for those with tenancies or owner-occupiers this is with the intention of gradually reducing support as the situation improves, the agency can work with the service users for up to two years or until the service user no longer needs the support (Sperlinger, 1997, pp 12).

The organisation is contracted and funded by the Local Authority through a government initiative which was introduced in April 2003 called the “Supporting People”. This programme was introduced as a policy in order for Local Authority's to plan, commission and provide housing related support to vulnerable people. (Audit Commission: May, 2005). Through the programme, the agency provides support to vulnerable tenants who are at risk of losing their tenancy. The services provided are 'low level housing-related support services'. They are available to people who are vulnerable because of disability, life experience or illness, and who are also at risk of losing their home because of an inability to cope with the responsibilities that are associated with maintaining their tenure. The service users vary from those with learning disabilities, mental health problems, parents with children and older people (Beresford, 1997, pp. 110).

Discussion

Government Policies for support people program

As mentioned above, the supporting program is an initiative taken by the government to help people in getting independent by providing them home and shelter. The government has derived various policies that benefit the general public or in other words a step forward for the welfare of the people. It is the job of the government to take care of its citizens and work on those policies which has maximum benefit to the citizens. A policy is developed within a framework of objectives and guidelines for action and for this reason we find policy relating to ...