Social Policy Interventions

Todays society has the ability to create a significant amount of issues for individuals and communities as a result of neoliberal, individualistic ideologies underpinning the way in which our society functions. In response to these social issues, the government has implemented a number of services, programs and social security in order to sustain the wellbeing of its citizens (Ivory Research, 2013). As the social work profession is concerned with the provision of welfare and human services, they are often the implementers of social policy interventions within society. Subsequently, social workers are often influenced by social policy in their practice, profession and the impact that they have on their clients. Therefore it is essential to understand

These changes include the significant sense of safety and protection as there is a reduction to the risk of harm. Clients may then experience a strong sense of empowerment as they are no longer living in fear or being restrained by perpetrators from having individual freedom. Clients may also feel understood and supported, if applicable, in their position as a mother as the wellbeing and safety of children are prominent within this policy. It is evident that social policy can positively influence individuals, nonetheless there are often negative experiences and perceptions that arise in policy implementation. In relation to the ‘It Stops Here’ policy, the negative impacts on clients may include the perception that the policy does not focus enough on perpetrators and the criminal action that will be taken against them once found guilty of inflicting domestic

This is not the case, in some instances social workers or social work agencies come together to make changes to social policies that they believe are not sufficient or need alteration. In 2010 members of the Australian Association of Social Work protested against the cutting of social workers working in the mental health sector from providing mental health programs and services under the ‘Better Access to Mental Health Services’ scheme in Whyalla (Australian Association of Social Work, 2010). This protest promoted a meeting with federal and state ministers of health and social workers to discuss the programs aims. Therefore, social workers can have their voice heard and freely respond to the impacts of social