An essay of 2500 words on a pre-agreed policy issue. The student will develop the title of the essay which will be approved by the module tutor(s). (addressing all LO's)

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:
Formative feedback will be through tutorials centred on the development of their essay plan for the summative assignment.

The module meets the care certificate standards:
3. Duty of care; 4. Equality and diversity

Teaching in this module will comprise a ‘core’ of theoretical and factual content, alongside regular discussion of current issues in health and social care in which the principles can be seen at work in practice. Areas covered include:

Historical, cultural and philosophical influences on health and social care policy
The political ideologies influential in the provision of health and social care, including ‘rights-based’ and ‘safety-net’ approaches, marketization and health inequalities.
The recent history of health and social care policies and structures, key factors shaping them and current threats to their functioning
Key documents in current health and social care policy
An introduction to current ideas on the nature and role of health and social care policy with particular reference to Network Theories, structural analyses,rational choice theory and "Street level bureaucracy" and organisational culture
Alternatives to the status quo – the construction of health and social care in other developed nations

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (35 hours)
10 hours of lectures
12 hours seminar presentations
10 hours group work
3 hours tutorials

Guided Independent Study: (115 hours)
20 hours reading in preparation for seminars
40 hours preparation for group work
55 hours preparation and writing summative assignment

Gray, A and Birrell, D (2013) Transforming Adult Social Care: contemporary policy and practice London: Policy Press [not in library, needs ordering]

Ham, C. (2009) (6th Edition) Health Policy in Britain, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan

Leathard, A (2003) Interprofessional Collaboration: from policy to practice in health and social care London: Brunner-Routledge

The Health and Social Care Act 2012

The Welfare Reform Act 2012

The Care act 2014

Library
IT for Blackboard support

1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the theories of policy process and its impact on health and social care (Knowledge and Understanding)

2. Demonstrate the nature of the policy process through critical evaluation of a recent introduction or reform of policy (Problem Solving)

3. Communicate understanding of theories of policy making through the application of a chosen perspective to a key health policy (Application, Communication)

This module is designed to cast light on some of the current news stories in Health and Social Care. It will look at why our Helath and Social Care system is the way it ism and how policy decisions affect our day to day lives.