Critical analysis

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You will need to identify one policy relating to your area of SOCIAL, HEALTH, AND WELLBEING and think about applying a structure when examining it. The suggested structure below is a guide only and you may want to amend or add to it where relevant. The guide below would be appropriate if you were examining a policy on a wider basis. It is also ok for you to examine part of a policy or part of the policy process it went through should you prefer.

There does need to be focus and critical analysis however you decide to critically examine the policy.  In terms of structure, you can use headings and think of this critical review as a report format. You can write in more of an essay style should you wish though. Either format is acceptable. It must however be written in the 3rd person.

Your critical review must contain a policy name and/or link to your chosen policy so the marking tutors can refer to it where necessary.

Suggestions if looking at a policy as a whole:-

  1. What is the background/context of the policy? ie what was the need?

 

  1. How was it developed? – Top-down? Bottom-up? Who was involved? What was the model used? How was the need identified?

 

  1. How was it implemented? – Top-down? Bottom-up? Who was involved? What was the model used?

 

  1. Is it a central or local government policy? Are there any underpinning political ideologies in policy development?

 

 

  1. What are the socio-economic factors considered in the development of the policy? Are there any external factors/phenomena that have influenced the development and implementation? CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

  1. What were the challenges of developing and implementing the policy and were there any conflicts? CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

  1. Is this policy linked to any other policies or government priorities? Think about Social and Public Policy here.

 

  1. Are there any case studies you can refer to about the development and implementation of the policy?

 

  1. What has been/will be the impact of this policy in terms of practice? CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

  1. Can you identify any theoretical/conceptual notions underpinning the policy? CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

  1. Are there any reasons you can think of that would prevent the policy from working? CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

  1. Are there any recommendations you have about how the development and implementation could have been done differently?