What is social policy?

There is a lot of confusion about what social policy is.  We have adopted a broad and simple definition:

Social policy is:  addressing bad rules.

In society, we make rules.  Mostly these rules are designed to improve life.  Traffic lights, for example, are a rule that we have come up with to stop cars crashing into each other at junctions.  We observe the rule because it's in our interest!

If, however, a policeman were to charge an ambulance driver for driving through a red light, this would be an example of the rule being applied in a way that was harmful.

Society is full of rules from the rules (laws) made by Government, to the ones made by Jobcentres, high street banks, shops and councils.

These rules can be fair or unfair, good or bad. Unfair rules that affect people in society need changed.  This is social policy. 

In citizens advice bureaux, we collect evidence of such rules from around the country and use it to demonstrate that change is required.  It means we are working on our clients behalf, long after they leave the bureau.

Recent activity details work we are undertaking to address bad rules, whilst social policy successes gives examples of where our work has contributed to change.