Book review

 Title: Social Policy for Social Welfare Practice in a Devolved Wales
Editor: Charlotte Williams
Year: 2007
Edition: 1
Number of pages: 152
Publisher: Venture Press
ISBN: 9781861780799
Price: £15.95

Reviewer: Jane Williams, Senior Lecturer, University of Wales, Newport
Review date: 16/12/2008

Further information about this book 

As a Welsh academic (by birth and geographically), I am often amazed and bemused by the lack of awareness of the difference in policy direction between Cardiff and Westminster both among professional colleagues and the wider public. In the recent furore over SATs results, no mention was made of the fact that the tests are no longer taken in Wales and I have lost count of the times I have had to explain that ‘Every Child Matters’ does not apply here. This book clearly and succinctly illustrates the key divergences between Welsh and English policy and examines the extent to which the Welsh Assembly Government has succeeded in its mission to put ‘clear red water’ between the two administrations.

There are three sections organised under the headings of Understanding Devolution, Key Themes in Service Delivery and Service Delivery Areas. Section one provides an excellent overview of contemporary Wales, illustrating the issues that specifically impact upon the principality whilst also noting challenges that are faced jointly by England and Wales. Drakeford’s chapter, ‘Governance and social policy’ gives a useful comparison between the philosophies underpinning Welsh Labour and those developed by New Labour, which can be summarised as a Welsh focus on the individual as a citizen and an English focus on the individual as a consumer. This theme is returned to throughout the book with the various authors examining these differences with regard to specific areas of social policy.

Section two examines four themes that impact significantly on all aspects Welsh social policy, namely Welsh language, child poverty, provision in rural areas and equality. Whilst the issues of child poverty and rural contexts also apply in England their impact is generally greater in Wales as a whole and as such they merit discrete presentation and discussion. Each chapter gives an historical backdrop to the current situation, outlines key Welsh policy initiatives and draws conclusions regarding the extent to which these themes have been effectively incorporated into practice. This then leads into the final section which isolates distinct social policy fields (children’s policy, youth policy and youth justice, social services for adults and social work) and scrutinises these with regard to the themes and discussions raised in the previous sections.

Each of these chapters explores the extent to which the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to social democracy has influenced policy and practice and what the future implications for these approaches are. It is interesting to compare the authors’ perceptions of how successful the changes have been, for example, Butler suggests that developments in children’s policy have created a clear and useful ‘policy space’ in which policy makers, practitioners and citizens can interact. However, Williams’ view of the situation regarding social work suggests that progress in that area has been much slower.

This is an accessible and timely book which is of interest to students, academics and practitioners alike. It is particularly useful for those are looking to develop reflective practice, providing an opportunity to examine their current practice in the light of a different governance and also for those who are interested in international perspectives on social policy. I have used the opening chapter as a reader for year one undergraduate students to help them gain familiarity with the current situation in Wales, and have also guided students on postgraduate courses to the book to help them clarify their knowledge and understanding. The text is probably most relevant to Welsh practitioners, but could also be used as an interesting comparative tool for those studying social policy in other areas of the UK. I have certainly found the book very useful and have recommended it to colleagues.