Policy analysis for practice : : Applying social policy / / Paul Spicker.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Bristol University Press Backlist eBook-Package 2013-1995
• VerfasserIn: Spicker, Paul,
• MitwirkendeR: Spicker, Paul,
• Place / Publishing House: Bristol : : Policy Press, , [2006]; ©2006
• Year of Publication: 2006
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (216 p.)

People who work in planning, management and service delivery in the public sector need to know how policy is translated into practice, what is happening, and whether a policy works. Policy analysis for practice introduces students and practitioners to the concepts, methods and techniques required to undertake the analysis and review of policy and its implementation. Focusing on developing understanding and skills for a growing area of practice, it combines material from public and social administration with examples and application to social policy and the social services. The book looks at ways to understand and analyse the main stages of the policy process: developing strategies, identifying aims, examining the situation, choosing methods, implementation and service delivery, and evaluating outcomes. It stresses throughout the role of policy analysis as a political, and not just a technical, activity. Policy analysis for practice is an original, thought-provoking text with a strong applied focus. It offers systematic, accessible coverage of wide-ranging literature, application to practical circumstances and the needs of people in the field and a direct relationship to vocational work in the management and administration of social services. It will be invaluable for students and practitioners in public policy, social policy and public sector management, in fields including central and local government, health and social care and the voluntary sector.

Table of Contents

Front Matter -- Contents -- Preface -- Notes on the author -- The nature of policy analysis -- The policy process -- Strategic policy making -- Aims, values and goals -- Assessing the environment 1: qualitative interpretation -- Assessing the environment 2: quantitative interpretation -- Methods, constraints and resources -- Selecting methods: value for money -- Analysing implementation -- The evaluation of policy -- Policy analysis: developing a checklist -- References -- Index