Social Policy and Legislation

Course details

This course provides a comprehensive overview of Irish social policy and legislation and its specific importance for people with disabilities, their families and people/organisations providing services to them.

The accredited programme:

• Surveys the political and legislative context in which social policy/legislation has developed and operates
• Explains the structure, development and overall impact of social policy on the disability sector in Ireland
• Examines how the Irish Social Welfare system works and deals with disability
• Investigates educational policy within a disability-specific framework
• Explores the policy context of the world of work for a person with disabilities

Who Is This Course For?

The course is for disability service professionals looking to extend their knowledge and skills in the area in an accredited programme developed by and for people working in disability services.

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing the course you should be able to:

• Describe the political, legislative and administrative system in Ireland and outline how to work in a positive and ethical manner within it
• Explain the origins, structure and development of disability legislation and social policy in Ireland and assess its importance
• Discuss how the Irish welfare benefit system operates and explain the key components of benefit payments system
• Understand how social welfare policy affects both a person with disabilities and their family and describe how changes to it can impact on access to the workplace and a person’s experience of it
• Describe current debates surrounding education and disability
• Promote the current language and concepts of supported education policy

Contents

Unit 1: Understanding Political Ideology, Government Policy, Social Policy & Legislation

• Political Spectrum & Ideologies
• The Centre of the Political Spectrum
• Left Wing Political Ideology
• Right Wing Political Ideology
• Understanding the Legislative Government & Political System in Ireland
• Social Policy Defined
• Social Services & the Welfare State
• Active Social Policy
• Disability Policy
• Disability Studies & the Link to Social Policy
• Why does Social Policy Matter?
• Why do Social Care Professionals Need to Study Social Policy?
• What Role does the Government Play?
• Disability Policy & Legislative Developments
• The New Structures
• The National Disability Authority (NDA), Comhairle & FAS

Unit 2: Disability & Welfare

• Irish Social Welfare Law & Administration
• The Irish Social Welfare System – Characteristics
• Social Insurance Payments
• Social Assistance Payments
• Universal Benefits
• Other Distinctions
• Disability-Related Social Welfare Payments in Ireland
• Payments for Carers
• Levels of Disability-Related Social Welfare
• Disability-Related Social Welfare & Earnings from Employment
• Disability Payments – Expenditure & Trends
• The Relationship between Disability & Poverty
• Social Protection & Social Inclusion
• Disability & the Cost of Living

Unit 3: The Changing Educational Framework

• The Legislative Context
• Education Provision for Students with Disability – Primary & Secondary Schools
• Early Education for Children with Special Educational Needs
• Inpidual Schools
• Certificate Examinations & 3rd Level Study
• Disability & Further Education / Higher Education
• Funds for Students with Disabilities
• Disability Support Services (University College Cork)
• Trinity College Dublin (Certificate in Contemporary Living)

Unit 4: Disability & the New Employment Framework

• Employment of People with Disabilities – Historical Overview
• The Contemporary Situation
• Barriers to Employment – Education & Training, Qualifications, Welfare, Social Attitudes & Discrimination
• The New System: Legislation
• What is Reasonable Accommodation?
• Disability Discrimination Cases (1995 – 2005)
• Access to Public Buildings, Information & Services
• Other Employments Supports available to People with Disabilities & their Employers

Assessment

Successful completion of the course is dependent on passing an exam that will test your knowledge and understanding of Irish social policy and legislation and its impact on the Irish disability sector.

While writing it you will have access to expert advice and the input of professional contemporaries. Having access to this learning community provides a unique opportunity to develop your understanding and analysis of Irish social policy and how it impacts on disability in Ireland.

Qualification

The course is certified by the QQI/HETAC as a Level 7 Award. Successful participants will be awarded a single subject Certificate in Social Policy & Legislation. Graduates will hold 10 credits against the Applied Social Studies (Disability) degree.