This course aims to provide an introduction to the various issues and problems relating to the implementation of social policy.  It covers the respective roles of central and front-line agencies in implementing social policy programs and the institutional separation of of purchasers and providers.  It examines the increasing role played by non-government organisations, both for-profit and not-for-profit.  Practical examples of particular programs are examined.  Students have the opportunity to design their own delivery mechanism for a social program.  

Topics to be covered include:

1.  How academics have conceptualised the implementation process;

2.  Working across different levels of government and different government departments;

3.  How services are funded;

4.  Outsourcing and the role of non-government service delivery agencies;

5.  Accountability and measuring performance;

6.  Innovation;

7.  How the values of policy-makers and service providers affect the service experienced by clients/service users;

8.  The changing nature of welfare conditionality.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1.  demonstrate an understanding of the different ways academics have conceptualised the implementation process;

2.  demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each conceptualisation;

3.  demonstrate an understanding of the nature of key players and their role in the service delivery process;

4.  demonstrate an understanding of the factors that facilitate and constrain effective implementation.

1. A case  based exercise (20%) which relates to Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. 

2. A quiz (20%) which relates to Learning Outcomes 3 and 4. 

3. A 4,000 word essay (60%) which relates to Learning Outcomes 3 and 4.

30 hours of lectures and seminars

The range of subject matter covered in the course does not accord with the content of any particular textbook.    Two useful recent references that cover part of the course are:

• Wanna J, Butcher J. and Freyens B. 2010, Policy in Action. The Challenge of Service Delivery, UNSW Press, Sydney.
• Hill M. and Hupe P. 2009, Implementing Public Policy: An Introduction to the Study of Operational Governance,, Second Edition,Sage Publications, London. 

Delivery Mode:

The Course is delivered in an intensive format.  The course comprises three blocks, each of two days.

Full details are available from the POGO timetable on the Crawford School website.