The
role of government policy and practice in the community
Government
policy and practice (the institutions
of government, and
how these institutions determine the decision making process towards
interventions in community practice).
The various programs or
strategies designed to
support disadvantaged
people in society have evolved through a process that could be best
describes as "trial and error" in response to various social issues
within society. Government resopnds to an issue by creating a
department to deal with the issue.
Universities and institutions use historical and evedance
based research
related to the issue within that arena.
People with an
intellectual disability
are supported within the
psychiatric/developmental arena
People with a physical disability are supported within the
physical/occupational arena
The aged are supported within the gerontology arena
Each Government,
state,
department or locality has a different approach
to supporting disadvantaged people in society..
There are a number of reasons for this
... Historical
development
of government policy: Each government has a different economic and
social structure and a different politicial framework that fulfills the
needs of the state.
... Political agenda: While
a particular political party sets the agenda in policy and practice
within a state, it is the social institutions of the various
departments that determine how the policy and practice is used in wider
community.
... Community
needs: Each
policy has evolved to suite the needs of the state. Because each has
different needs, these policies will be different.
When providing the most
appropriate
care for people with high support
needs ...
1) The community is not
where the
person is living, but where the
person participates, shares experiences and has valued relationships
with others.
2) People with high support needs (severe disability, aged etc.)
will always need support structures as a part of their lives.
3) The amount of participation in a community (living, education,
employment or recreation) is directly related to the skills and
resources of the person, and, the skills and resources of the
community that the person wishes to participate in.
4) Institutions are going to be around in one form or another
whether we like it or not, It is the way that they are used that is the
problem.
5) The institutions of a society towards a particular group
determine the way the group participates in society.
6) The institutions of a particular government department,
organisation,
profession or service define the way the person is supported within
that society.
7) Facilities that support people with high support needs do not
need to be the nursing homes or prisons in the
sense
that they are today, but can become warm inviting community places that
offer a range of services to the community, as well as be a part of the
wider community within that society.
8) People with high support needs are a minority group in our
society, and will have the same problems as other minority groups in
being a part of society.
