Creating and Implementing Public Policy

In order to address major social policy problems, governments need to break down sectoral barriers and create better working relationships between practitioners, policymakers and researchers. Currently, major blockages exist, and stereotypes abound. Academics are seen as out-of-touch and unresponsive, policymakers are perceived to be justifying policy decisions, and the community sector seeks more funding without demonstrating efficacy. These stereotypes are born out of a lack of understanding of the work and practices that exist across these three sectors.
Drawing on ground-breaking research and partnerships, with contributions from senior public servants, this book explores the competing demands of different actors involved in policy change. It challenges current debates, assumptions and reflects a unique diversity of experiences. Combined with differing theoretical perspectives, it provides a uniquely practical insight for those seeking to influence public policy.
This innovative text provides essential reading for community sector practitioners, academics and advanced level students in public policy, social policy and public administration, as well as for public service professionals.

Gemma Carey is a Research Fellow with the Regulatory Network at the Australian National University, Australia. Kathy Landvogt is a social worker with experience in service delivery, management, policy research and further education. Kathy is currently a social policy researcher in Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, Australia. Jo Barraket is Director of the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia.

Introduction - Crossing boundaries for better public policy Part I: Understanding the Policy Process 1. Lost in Translation: Knowledge, policy, politics and power 2. Opening Policy Windows with Evidence and Citizen Engagement: Addressing the social determinants of health inequalities 3. Policy Cycle Models: Are we throwing the baby out with the bath water? 4. Influencing Policy from Inside and Outside of Government Part II: Influencing Policy 5. Influencing Policy: Lessons from the health sector 6. Using Metrics for Policy Change 7. Evidence Based Policy: Why and how? 8. Using a Randomised Trial to Evaluate an Innovative Homelessness Intervention: The J2SI Pilot 9. Producing Change: An integrated model of social services, research and public policy advocacy Part III: Disrupting Business as Usual 10. The Effects of Hybridity on Local Governance: The case of social enterprise 11. How Better Methods for Coping with Uncertainty and Ambiguity can Strengthen Government-civil Society Collaboration 12. Performance Budgeting: The power to persuade, control or deceive? 13. Creating Joined-up Government: Challenging intuitive logic 14. Approaching Collaboration in Public Policy: Agency and efficacy Conclusion - Emerging themes and important lessons for progressing cross sectoral policy design and implementation: a discussion