An Analytical Framework for Policy Practice: A Value Perspective

Date

2007

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

Abstract

It is the intent of this paper to examine the frameworks available to social workers for policy practice. Analyzing policy requires a social worker to integrate a variety of frameworks to produce one that is applicable to the policy/political arena. It also requires that a distinction be made between policy analysis to inform decision making and policy analysis for political action. Policy analysis to inform decisions requires a social worker to maintain an objective and value neutral perspective to generate policy recommendations. Policy analysis for political action also informs the decision makers, but requires the social work policy practitioner to analyze the policy in relation to social work values as well as to take action to implement the policy. Within this policy/political arena, a framework must address substantive, value, and environmental issues. No one framework can address all these issues, thus the necessity of integrating basic concepts of a number of frameworks. The frameworks to be examined for their contribution to this discussion include the analytical descriptive ((Dobelstein, 2003), value critical (Chambers & Wedel, 2005), value committed (Chambers & Wedel), and policy advocacy (Jansson, 2003).

Description

Keywords

Jane Hayes, Perspectives on Social Work, Policy Practice, Social work, Perspectives on Social Work, Policy practice

Citation