Social Welfare Policy and Delivery Systems (SWK506)

SWK506 Social Welfare Policy and Delivery Systems explores various concepts, meaning and purpose of social welfare and social work, tracing the history and development of social work both in the global as well as the Singapore contexts. The course provides a critical analysis of social policy in Singapore, an examination of the range of social services, the social service delivery system, the interlinking of the various governmental and non-governmental service providers. The final part of the course examines service delivery and the impact on service users. Values and issues of social justice, equity, diversity and service gaps will also be discussed

• Historical development of social welfare and social work
• Basic concepts about social policy
• Three policy models – pattern and redistribution
• Relationship between the economic market and social market
• Differentiating public policy, social policy and social welfare
• Social service sector and its key players
• Social problems and public issues (1): poverty, income maintenance, and housing
• Social problems and public issues (2): healthcare, child & family welfare, aging population
• Social service landscapes and social policy in Singapore
• Formal and informal social systems and provision of human services in Singapore
• Policy analysis and implications for social work profession
• Role and responsibilities of social workers

• Discuss broad systems thinking as the foundation for social policy analysis and practice at a professional level.
• Develop conceptual frameworks for clear thinking on social welfare and social service delivery.
• Examine how demographics, economics, social and cultural forces and values have impacted social policy and programmes.
• Analyse how historical events and grounded values and beliefs continue to impact policymaking today.
• Evaluate theories, frameworks, and methods for analysing social policy and social service delivery systems.
• Assess policy practice skills including being able to discuss role and responsibilities of social workers in the political and policy-making process, as well as in influencing social policy.