SP 235 – Social Issues and Policy Responses
Course Description
The course will provide participants with the opportunity to examine pressing social issues
and how policies are designed to respond to these. A selective range of substantive issues
are examined which reflect core issues pertaining to childhood, youth, parenting, gender,
family and community. These issues reflect different needs and vulnerabilities and forms
of agency experienced by certain groups or populations of people. The policy responses –
Irish and International - to these identified issues also reflect distinctive yet similar
principles and approaches, which are framed through social work, equality and human
rights, community development and family support. The course is divided into various
themes to afford participants the opportunity to investigate the complex nature of the
relationship between the individual, the family and the wider policy environment. There
are four main sections: Child Welfare and Protection; Family support, Gender,
intersectionality and rights and Community Development.
Course Objectives: The objectives of the course are to afford participants the opportunity to
begin to understand different aspects of policy design with the social and political problems
they are intended to solve. The course will focus on using critical thinking skills and
theoretical knowledge to attempt to make sense of the opportunities and experiences of
marginalized groups living in a complex and rapidly changing Ireland.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module students will be able to:
• Adopt a critical approach to why certain social issues are constituted as pressing
needs to be responded to;
•
Explore the range of policy responses to these issues in contemporary society and to
understand what their distinguishing characteristics are;
•
Critically analyse the intentions of policy design within their socio-political and
cultural contexts.
Teaching and learning methods: Series of lectures.
Methods of assessment: End of semester examination. Answer 3 questions from 4 sections.
(Plus a Mid-term essay for those students attending seminars)
Languages of instruction: English
Core texts: Core readings for each week will be identified and additional readings will be
listed. Further readings will be highlighted in relation to each topic weekly.
Time and Venue: Tuesday 2-3 (D’Arcy Thompson) & Wednesday 6-7 (Tyndall Theatre)
1
Module Co-ordinator: Professor Caroline McGregor –
E-mail: caroline.mcgregor@nuigalway.ie
Contact Details: Rm 229, School of Political Science and Sociology
TIMETABLE
Date
Week 1
Topic
th
12 Jan 2016
13th Jan 2016
Week 2
19th Jan 2016
20th Jan 2016
Week 3
26th Jan 2016
27th Jan 2016
nd
CHILD PROTECTION / CHILD WELFARE
Introduction & Policy Concepts/Policy &
Practice Overview
Introduction to Child Welfare and
Protection.
Excavating the past: Mother and Baby
Homes in the Republic Ireland
Practices of constraining and confining are
adversely impacting on minority ethnic
populations in the republic of Ireland
Young People & Sexually Abusive
Behaviour – Contexts and Correlates 1
Young People & Sexually Abusive
Behaviour – Contexts and Correlates 2.
rd
Week 4
2
Week 5
9th & 10th Feb 2016
Week 6
16th & 17th Feb 2016
Week 7
23rd Feb 2016
Week 8
24th Feb 2016
1st Mar 2016
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
& 12
Week 12
& 3 Feb 2016
2nd Mar 2016
8th March 2016
9Th March 2016
Lecturer
FAMILY SUPPORT
Children, young people and families in
need; the Irish experience
Family Support as a response to the needs
of children, young people and families
Family Support in practice today
GLOBAL WOMEN’S STUDIES
Domestic violence in Ireland: Representing
and responding to the problem
Human rights based responses to gender
based violence
Abortion: international developments and
debates
Abortion in Ireland
Regional and global perspectives
Gender in refugee and asylum policy in
Ireland
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
15 & 16 March 2016 Community, welfare & place
5th, 6th &12th April 2016 Community Development as Policy &
Politics – principles, programmes &
challenges
th
13 April
Conclusion and Revision
th
th
2
Caroline McGregor
Caroline McGregor
Paul Michael Garrett
Paul Michael Garrett
Declan Coogan
Declan Coogan
Carmel Devaney
Carmel Devaney
Carmel Devaney
Niamh Reilly
Niamh Reilly
Niamh Reilly
Niamh Reilly
Niamh Reilly
Niamh Reilly
Brian McGrath
Brian McGrath
Caroline McGregor
CHILD PROTECTION/ CHILD
WELFARE
WEEK 1 - Caroline McGregor
12TH JAN
2016
INTRODUCTION & POLICY CONCEPTS/POLICY & PRACTICE OVERVIEW
This introductory session outlines what this module intends to achieve. It introduces some of the core
concepts which cross cut any identified social issue and the types of policies designed to respond to
this. One such concept is that of ‘Need’, which it has been argued is a core organising principle in
social policy. We also examine the system of service provision for children and families in Ireland and
frameworks of responding to need. An overview of Blackboard and Resources will also be provided.
Key Readings
Lister, R. (2010) Understanding Theories and Concepts in Social Policy. Bristol: The
Policy Press. Chapters 5 and 6
13TH JAN
2016
INTRODUCTION TO CHILD WELFARE AND PROTECTION.
This lecture will provide an introduction to the child protection and welfare system in Ireland. It will
explain the child welfare system and provide some historical context. It will give definitions of what
child abuse and neglect are. In so doing, this lecture will introduce the theme of Child Welfare and
Protection: Social Issues and Policy Responses and contextualize the lectures that are to follow. The
key and additional Readings provided give important introductory context to the policy and practice
context on which this element of the module is based.
Key Readings
Buckley, H. and Burn, K. ‘Child Welfare and Protection in Ireland: Déjà Vu All Over Again’ in Social
Work in Ireland Changes and Continuities (2015) Edited by Christie, A., Featherstone, B., Quin, S and
Walsh, T. Palgrave Macmillan.
McGregor, C. (2014) ‘Why is history important at moments of transition? The case of ‘transformation’
of Irish child welfare via the new Child and Family Agency’, European Journal of Social Work, Vol.
17(5), pp. 771-783
Additional Readings
Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2012) Report of the Task Force on the Child and Family
Support Agency’, Dublin, Stationary Office
HSE (2011) Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook. Dublin, HSE available at:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Children/WelfarePractice.pdf
Skehill C (2005) 'Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in the Republic of Ireland: Continuities
and Discontinuities between the Past and the Present' in Kearney N & Skehill C (2005) (editors) Social
Work in Ireland: Historical Perspectives. Institute of Public Administration, Dublin
Skehill, C (2003a) 'Social Work in the Republic of Ireland: A History of the Present' Journal of Social
Work , Vol 3, No. 2
3
WEEK 2 - PAUL MICHAEL GARRETT
TH
19 JAN
2016
EXCAVATING THE PAST: MOTHER AND BABY HOMES IN THE REPUBLIC
IRELAND
In summer 2014 reports that a ‘septic tank grave’ containing ‘skeletons of 800 babies’, had been
located on the site of a former home for ‘unmarried mothers’ in Tuam, County Galway, became an
international news item. Following the media frenzy triggered by the apparent discovery, the Irish
coalition government announced the setting up of a Commission of Investigation to examine responses
to ‘unmarried mothers’ and their children during the between 1922 and 1998. The publication of the
inquiry’s report is due in 2018. Today’s lecture looks at the evolution of Mother and Baby Homes and
links past and present practices.
Key Readings
Garrett, P. M. (2015) ‘Excavating the Past: Mother and Baby Homes in the Republic of Ireland’,
British Journal of Social Work, pp. 1-17.
Additional Readings
Buckley, S. A. (2013) The Cruelty Man: Child Welfare, the NSPCC and the State in Ireland,
Manchester, Manchester University.
Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2014) Report of the Inter-Departmental Group in Mother
and Baby Homes
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/publications/20140716InterdepartReportMothBabyHomes.pdf
Earner-Byrne, L. (2004) ‘Moral Repatriation: the response to Irish unmarried mothers in Britain,
1920s-1960s’ in P. Duffy (ed.) To and From Ireland: Planned Migration Schemes, 1600-2000, Dublin,
Geography Publications.
Garrett, P. M. (2000) ‘The hidden history of the PFIs: The repatriation of unmarried mothers and their
children from England to Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s’, Immigrants and Minorities, 19 (3), pp. 2544.
Milotte, M. (1997) Banished Babies, Dublin, New Island.
20 January (6-7) – Children and Families from Minority Ethnic populations
20TH JAN
2016
PRACTICES OF CONSTRAINING AND CONFINING ARE ADVERSELY IMPACTING ON
MINORITY ETHNIC POPULATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.
Today’s lecture explores the current position of Irish travellers, Roma and asylum seekers.
Key Readings
Garrett, P. M. (2015) ‘Constraining and confining ethnic minorities: impoverishment and the logics of
control in neoliberal Ireland, Patterns of Prejudice, 49 (4), pp. 414-434.
Additional Readings
Arnold, S. (2012) State Sanctioned Child Poverty and Exclusion: The case of children in state
accommodation for asylum seekers, SEE:
4
http://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/State-sanctioned-child-poverty-andexclusion.pdf
Fanning, B. and Munck, R. (eds.) (2011) Globalization, Migration and Social Transformation,
Farnham, Ashgate.
NASC (The Irish Immigrant Support Centre) (2013) In from the Margins: Roma in Ireland
http://www.nascireland.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/NASC-ROMA-REPORT.pdf
Pavee Point (2013) Travelling with Austerity: Impacts of Cuts on Travellers, Traveller Projects and
Services, Dublin, Pavee Point. http://paveepoint.ie/sitenua/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Pavee-PointAusterity-PDF-1.pdf
WEEK 3 – DECLAN COOGAN
TH
26 JAN
2016
YOUNG PEOPLE & SEXUALLY ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR – CONTEXTS AND
CORRELATES 1
During the two lectures on these themes, the dilemmas that can challenge us when considering young
people, sexuality and sexually abusive behaviour are explored. In the first of these lectures, the
prevalence and correlates of sexual abuse are outlined. Questions of the ethics of consent and sexual
behaviour within relationships are considered. Distinctions are drawn between sexually abusive and
sexually problematic behaviour of some young people. Commonly held perspectives on both the
“causes” and treatment of the sexual abusive behaviour carried out by young people will be questioned.
Key Readings
Ashurst, L & McAlinden, A M (2015) Young people, peer to peer grooming and sexual offending –
understanding and responding to harmful sexual behaviour in a social media society. Probation
Journal. Vol. 62, No. 4: 374-388.
Dept. of Children & Youth Affairs (2011) Children First – National Guidance for the Protection and
Welfare of Children. Dublin. Government Publications Office. Chapter 9 Peer Abuse, pages 60-61.
Available at no charge from
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/Publications/ChildrenFirst.pdf
Additional Readings
McGrath, K (2010) Understanding and Managing Sexualised Behaviour in Children and Adolescents.
Dublin. CARI. Available at no charge from
http://www.cari.ie/images/uploads/pictures/Understanding%20%26%20Managing
%20Sexualised%20Behaviour%20in%20Children%20%26%20Adolescents.pdf
Calder, M C (2009) Sexual Abuse Assessment – Using and Developing Frameworks for Practice.
Dorset: Russell House Publishing
Carrington, K & Pereira, M (2009) Offending Youth – Sex, Crime and Justice. Riverwood, New South
Wales. Federation Press.
Chaffin, M et al (2008). Report of the ATSA Task Force on Children with Sexual Behavioural
Problems. Child Maltreatment. Vol. 13. No.2: 199-218.
5
27TH JAN
2016
YOUNG PEOPLE & SEXUALLY ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR – CONTEXTS AND
CORRELATES 2.
In the second of two lectures on the theme young people and sexually abusive behaviour, policy and
practice responses to these problems in Ireland are outlined. These responses are critiqued in the light
of the rights of all children for education, to protection and to appropriate treatment.
Key Readings
Wylie, L A & Griffin, H L (2013) G-Map’s application of the Good Lives Model to Adolescent Males
who Sexually Harm: A Case Study. Journal of Sexual Aggression. Vol. 19, No. 3: 534-356.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2011.650715
Slattery, P, Cherry, J, Swift, A, Tallon, M & Doyle, A (2012) From custody to community –
development of assessment and treatment for juveniles serving sentences for sex offences in an Irish
context. Journal of Sexual Aggression. Vol. 18, No.1: 81-90.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2011.641130
Additional Readings
Rasmussen, L A (2013) Young people who sexually abuse – A historical perspective and future
directions. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. Vol 22, No. 1: 119-141.
Marshall, W L, Serran, G A, Fernandez Y M, Mulloy, R, Mann R E, Thornton, D. (2003) ‘Therapist
characteristics in the treatment of sexual offenders: tentative data on their relationship with indices of
behaviour change’, Journal of Sexual Aggression. Vol. 9, No. 1: 25-30.
Yee Lee, M, Sebold, J. & Uken, A (2003) Solution Focused Treatment of Domestic Violence Offenders
– Accountability for Change. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press. (Chapter 8: Useful
Assumptions: 130-149)
FAMILY SUPPORT
WEEK 4 – CARMEL DEVANEY
ND
RD
2 &3
FEB 2016
CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IN NEED; THE IRISH
EXPERIENCE
This week’s lectures will provide a general overview on the current social issues affecting children,
young people and families in Ireland and their associated needs. The current policy response(s) and
their implementation will also be reviewed. This will include the system of service provision for
children and families in Ireland and frameworks of responding to need
Key Readings
Excerpt from Chapter 8 ‘Gender Sexuality and the Family’ in “Sociology of the Family” (2012), Perry
Share, Mary Corcoran and Brian Conway (4th ed.), Gill and Macmillan, Dublin.
Excerpt from Chapter 4 ‘Child Welfare and Protection in Ireland: Déjà Vu All Over Again’ Helen
Buckley and Kenneth Burn in Social Work in Ireland Changes and Continuities (2015) Edited by
Alastair Christie, Brid Featherstone, Suzanne Quin, Trish Walsh, Palgrave Macmillan.
Additional Readings
6
What do children think about childhood? in Smith, R. (2010) A Universal Child. Palgrave Macmillan.
London pp.161 – 178.
Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2014) Better Outcomes Brighter Futures 2014 – 2020,
Dublin,
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/cypp_framework/BetterOutcomesBetterFutureReport.pdf
WEEK 5 – CARMEL DEVANEY
TH
9 &
10TH FEB
2016
FAMILY SUPPORT AS A RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, YOUNG
PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
This week’s lectures will provide a detailed overview on Family Support as a response to the needs of
children, young people and Families in Ireland. It will consider what we mean by Family Support from
a theoretical, policy and practice perspective. It will also review the wider context of the development
of child welfare and Family Support services.
Key Readings
Excerpt from Chapter 2 ‘What is Family Support’ in Family Support as an Approach to Working with
Children and Families in Ireland’ Carmel Devaney, (2011), pp. 14 – 32 ONLY, Lap Lambert
Publishing
Additional Readings
Devaney, C and Dolan, P (2014) Voice and meaning: the wisdom of Family Support veterans, Child
and Family Social Work, doi:10.1111/cfs.12200
WEEK 6 – CARMEL DEVANEY
TH
16 &
17TH FEB
2016
FAMILY SUPPORT IN PRACTICE TODAY
This week’s lectures will focus on the implementation of Family Support as a model of responding to
the needs of children and families in Ireland. A number of social interventions currently in use will be
explored and critiqued.
Key Readings:
Meitheal NATIONAL GUIDANCE & LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION (2013) Tusla, the Child and
Family Agency, pp. 1-4
http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Tusla_Meitheal_A_National_Practice_Model.pdf
Additional Readings
Meitheal Toolkit (2015) http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/TUSLA-Meitheal_Toolkit.pdf
7
G L O B AL WOM E N ’S S T U D I E S
WEEK 7 – NIAMH REILLY
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND POLICY RESPONSES
23RD FEB
2016
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN IRELAND: REPRESENTING AND RESPONDING TO
THE PROBLEM
The first lecture this week focuses on domestic violence in Ireland as an important example of genderbased violence. It includes an overview of what is known about the forms and prevalence of domestic
violence and an introduction to current policy and practice in Ireland in response to the problem.
Popular understanding and representations of the issue are also discussed.
Key readings
On Just One Day: The 4th November 2014. A National One Day Count of Women and Children
Accessing Domestic Violence Services in Ireland (Athlone, Co. Westmeath: Safe Ireland), 2014, pp. 720 (Available at: http://www.safeireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/On-Just-One-Tuesday-4th-Nov-2014FINAL.pdf)
Mary Ryan, “What's Love Got To Do With It?: Family, Sex, and Domestic Violence in Contemporary
Irish Women's Fiction”. disClosure. 2011, Issue 20 [Extract: “Domestic Violence” – 6 pages].
Additional readings
"Understanding domestic, sexual and gender-based violence" in National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual
Available
at:
and
Gender-based
Violence
2010-2014,
p.
36-48.
http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Domestic_nationalstrategy.pdf
Lifelines to Safety A national study of support needs and outcomes for women accessing domestic
violence services in Ireland (Athlone, Co. Westmeath: Safe Ireland), 2011, pp. 8-20 (Available at:
http://www.safeireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/National-Study-of-Support-Needs-2011.pdf)
Kearns, N., Coen, L., & Canavan, J. (2008). Domestic violence in Ireland: an overview of national
strategic policy and relevant international literature on prevention and intervention initiatives in
service provision. Galway: Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway.
“The Abused Have Not Gone Away. Nor Will They”. Address by Enda Kenny, Taoiseach, Ireland.
Delivered on allegations of sexual abuse against the IRA, Dáil Éireann, Dublin, Ireland, Nov. 12, 2014
(Available at: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/full-text-of-enda-kenny-speech-on-claims-ofsex-abuse-by-republicans-1.1998156)
24TH FEB
2016
HUMAN RIGHTS BASED RESPONSES TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
The second lecture reviews developments in human rights based responses to domestic and sexual
violence at European and UN level.
Key reading
Dubravka Šimonovi, "Global and Regional Standards on Violence against Women: The Evolution and
Synergy of the CEDAW and Istanbul Conventions", Human Rights Quarterly Volume 36, Number 3,
August 2014, pp. 590-606
8
Additional Readings
John Devaney, "Male Perpetrators of Domestic Violence: How Should We Hold Them to
Account?”, The Political Quarterly, Vol. 85, No. 4, October–December 2014, pp. 480-486
Dauer, Sheila, “Symposium: The Global Advancement of Women: Barriers and Best
Practices. Violence against Women: An Obstacle to Equality”, U. Md. L.J. Race, Religion,
Gender & Class 6 (2006): 281. 8pp
WEEK 8 – NIAMH REILLY
REGULATING ABORTION: THE NEXUS OF LAW, POLICY ABORTION
1ST MAR
2016
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AND DEBATES
Recent developments and debates regarding the legal regulation of and policy approaches to abortion
are the focus of this week’s sessions. The first lecture considers trends internationally in abortion law
along the spectrum from prohibitionist (like Ireland) to more liberal regimes (like the UK), as well as
some of the arguments for and against different approaches.
Key Readings
Finer, L, & Fine, J 2013, “Abortion Law around the World: Progress and Pushback”, American
Journal of Public Health, 103, 4, pp. 585-589.
Jones K, Chaloner C (2007) “Ethics of abortion: the arguments for and against”, Nursing Standard. 21,
37, pp. 45-48.
Additional Readings
Elizabeth H. Boyle, Minzee Kim and Wesley Longhofer, "Abortion Liberalization in World Society,
1960–2009", American Journal of Sociology Vol. 121, No. 3 (November 2015), pp. 882-913.
Rossi, MR 2012, “Nonreligious and Pro-Life”, Humanist, 72, 5, pp. 32-35.
Safe and unsafe abortion: UK’s policy position on safe and unsafe abortion in developing countries,
DFID Policy 2011 (Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/67649/pol-2010-safeunsafe-abort-dev-cntries.pdf)
2ND MAR
2016
ABORTION IN IRELAND
The second lecture focuses specifically on the situation in Ireland with a focus on women’s
experiences. It provides an overview of current law, policy and practice with a view to the anticipated
referendum to repeal the 8th amendment of the Irish Constitution which affords the “unborn” an equal
right to life to the pregnant woman.
Key Readings
Maeve Taylor, "Women’s right to health and Ireland’s abortion laws", International Journal of
Gynecology & Obstetrics Volume 130, Issue 1, July 2015, pp. 93–97
“Ireland and abortion: The facts in 2014” (6 pages) (Available at: http://www.thejournal.ie/abortion1631314-Aug2014/)
9
Additional Readings
Bloomer, F, & O'Dowd, K 2014, “Restricted access to abortion in the Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland: exploring abortion tourism and barriers to legal reform”, Culture, Health & Sexuality, 16, 4,
pp. 366-380.
WEEK 9 – NIAMH REILLY
GENDER IN REFUGEE AND ASYLUM POLICY
8TH MAR
2016
REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
This topic considers the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe from a gender perspective. It introduces basic
concepts in international refugee law regarding states’ obligations to refugees, including genderspecific aspects.
Key Readings
Albahari, M. (2015), “Europe's refugee crisis”. Anthropology Today, 31: pp. 1–2.
Z Deacon and C Sullivan, "Responding to the Complex and Gendered Needs of Refugee Women",
Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, Volume 24 Number 3, August 2009, pp. 272-275
Additional readings
Freedman, J 2010, “Protecting Women Asylum Seekers and Refugees: From International Norms to
National Protection?”, International Migration, 48, 1, pp. 175-198
Freedman, J 2008, “Women’s Right to Asylum: Protecting the Rights of Female Asylum Seekers in
Europe?”, Human Rights Review, 9, 4, pp. 413-433
9TH MAR
2016
GENDER IN REFUGEE AND ASYLUM POLICY IN IRELAND
This topics includes critical discussion of the Irish policy of “direct provision” in light of international
obligations with a focus on the significance of gender roles and norms in shaping refugees’ experiences
of the Irish asylum processes and its impacts.
Key Readings
“Am Only Saying It Now”: Experiences of Women Seeking Asylum in Ireland, AkiDwA March 2010,
pp.10-24. Available at: http://akidwa.ie//publications/AmOnlySayingItNowAkiDwA.pdf
Martín-Ruiz, S 2015, “’The way the Irish asylum system turns people into un-human is my problem’:
An Interview with Ifedinma Dimbo”, Estudios Irlandeses, 10, pp. 109-114
Additional Readings
Helen Uchechukwu Ogbu, Bernadine Brady & Louise Kinlen (2014) "Parenting in Direct Provision:
Parents' Perspectives Regarding Stresses and Supports", Child Care in Practice, 20:3, 256-269
Ruth Fletcher, "Contesting the cruel treatment of abortion-seeking women", Reproductive Health
Matters 2014;22(44):10–21
Claire Breen, "The Policy of Direct Provision in Ireland: A Violation of Asylum Seekers’ Right to an
Adequate Standard of Housing", Int J Refugee Law (2008) 20 (4): 611-636.
10
CO MMUN I TY DEVE LO PME NT
WEEK 10 – BRAIN MCGRATH
TH
15 &
16TH
MARCH
2016
COMMUNITY, WELFARE & PLACE
This week we examine some general aspects of ‘community’ and community development in the wider
context of welfare provisions. What is distinctive about a ‘community’ driven approach, and what
marks it as different from other fields of social life (viz. the state, market, family). What are the
assumptions about the meaning of ‘Community’? Where people live and the extent to which people
are made vulnerable and affected by the nature of where they live occupies a very important
consideration in policy and nature of interventions. We also explore how ‘community’, primarily as
place/space, takes on significance in terms of social relations, interactions and support, with a
particular focus on social exclusion and marginalisation. We will look at experiences of urban
disadvantage, stigma, child/family well-being and issues of ‘integration’.
Key Readings
Tovey, H. Share, P. and Corcoran, M. (2009) Civil Society: community and citizenship (Chapter 5 of
‘Sociology of Ireland’); pp.106-127.
Atkinson, R. and Kintrea, K. (2004) ‘Opportunities and Despair; It’s All in There’: Practitioner
Experiences and Explanations of Area Effects and Life Chances, Sociology, Vol 38, No.1, pp. 437- 455
Additional Readings
Warr, D. (2005) Social Networks in a ‘discredited’ neighbourhood, Journal of Sociology, 41, 3: 285308.
Jack, G. (2015) ‘I may not know who I am, but I know where I am from’: the meaning of place in
social work with children and families. Child & Family Social Work, 20, pp.415-423
Jack, G. and Gill, O. (2009) The Role of Communities in Safeguarding Children and Young People,
Child Abuse Review, vol. 19, pp.82-96.
WEEK 11 & 12 – BRAIN MCGRATH
5TH, 6TH &
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS POLICY & POLITICS – PRINCIPLES,
TH
12 APRIL PROGRAMMES & CHALLENGES
2016
We explore some of the historical and contemporary models and experiences of community
interventions, and analyse the experience of the UK, US and Ireland. We examine their core features,
underlying rationale/discourses and examine how ‘successful’ they were. What can we learn from
these experiences? We look at some of the contemporary features of community programmes and
interventions; and the relationship between the state and local communities. We explore what it
means to deliver family support from a community perspective. What are the advantages and
limitations? What does it mean to involve the ‘community’ in delivering on development and support
interventions? We also identify and analyse some of the key challenges facing community
organisations/community oriented work today, particularly in terms of measurement/evidence and
expectations about the role of community initiatives/organisations. What are the implications for the
work/worker?
Key Readings
Shaw, M. (2008) Community Development and the politics of community, Community Development
11
Journal, 43, 1: 24-36
Bagley, C., & Ackerley, C. L. (2006). ‘I am much more than just a mum’. Social capital,
empowerment and Sure Start. Journal of Education Policy, 21(6), 717-734.
Additional Readings
Alcock, P. (2005) ‘Maximum Feasible Understanding’: lessons from previous wars on poverty, Social
Policy and Society, vol.4, no. 3, pp. 321-329.
Stepney, P. and Popple, K. (2008) Community as an Organising Focus for Social Policy (Chapter 4),
in Stepney, P. and Popple, K (eds.) Social Work and the Community: A critical context for practice.
Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.
Somerville, P. (2011) Understanding Community: Politics, policy and practice, Bristol: Policy Press.
Chapter 2: ‘Making sense of community development’, pp. 33-54.
Tovey, H. Share, P. and Corcoran, M. (2009) Civil Society: community and citizenship (Chapter 5 of
‘Sociology of Ireland’); pp.127-38
WEEK 12 – CAROLINE MCGREGOR
TH
13
APRIL
CONCLUSION AND REVISION
The final lecture will involve review of the module, exam preparation and conclusion. No additional
readings are required.
12