How different kinds of policies affect the lives of children

'Policies are developed with the needs and interests of specific individuals and groups in mind' Using examples from the course, discuss how different kinds of policies affect the lives of children and families in the UK today. In this essay I aim to look at how different kinds of policies affect the lives of children and their families.

This essay will show an understanding of the main ideas that have underpinned some of the more recent policies we see today. A policy can be defined as a set of actions or a program of goals on different issues such as children or the elderly adopted by a governing body that are a way of translating legislation into practice and services provided that control or enable society.

Much of social policy is concerned with families and family life. It is clear that policies affect us all either directly or indirectly and although it is essential that there are different policies for children and adults or their families it is important to remember that it is essentially the parents that raise the child and therefore any policy aimed directly at the needs of children is likely to affect the family as well.

Most of us are aware of existing legislation of the protection of children who are orphaned, neglected or otherwise dependant. However, in more recent years the government has acted to meet more of the social and developmental needs of more children not only those special needs of children whose families are unable or unwilling to provide adequate care.

This is reflected in the growing number of variety of policies aimed either directly at children or through professional service providers and parents and other adults. These are a broad range of policies including not only those on issues such child benefit, income support, health and education but also support for agencies working with children and a wide variety of research on the problems facing children and families.

This interest in children's well-being can be explained as an indication that children are now being seen as the most important resource for a society's future. When looking at policies directed at children and their families it is possible to see some correlation between these policies and the type of society the government is trying to create. Almost every action that the state takes has an impact on families and family life.