Connecting Policy to Practice in the Human Services

In this volume the authors argue that, as currently developed, policy seldom responds to the needs of service users.

While well-intentioned in their efforts, policy makers in the head offices of human service organizations just can't get it right!

For their part, practitioners are frustrated in their attempts to provide appropriate services and by their inability to have their wisdom respected in the policy process.

Indeed, neither policy maker, practitioner, nor those who receive services are satisfied with policy outcomes.

This text attempts to come to grips with this unsatisfactory state of affairs.

The first section of the book describes the policy making process, including a detailed discussion of policy analysis.

Particular attention is given to the implementation stage of the policy process where practitioners assume primary responsibility.

The second section outlines new and more inclusive approaches to policy making: shared decision making (Stephen Owen), policy communities (Deborah Rutman), and community governance.