The Government’s Respect Agenda

The Government’s Respect Agenda The current position The â€Å"respect agenda† emerged as a broad idea during the 2005 general election campaign. Tony Blair coined it as being about: â€Å"†¦putting the law-abiding majority back in charge of their local communities†¦.[how we] bring back a proper sense of respect in our schools, in our communities, in our towns and in our villages.†[1] A culmination of what has now been deemed as being â€Å"anti social behaviour† such as binge drinking, an increase in prostitution and vandalism as well as a rapid increase in low-level crime, the respect agenda was aimed at community spirit. Backing the proposals with an increase in police and local authority power to deal with families who â€Å"blight† communities with unacceptable behaviour emphasised one of its key principles as the importance of rebalancing the criminal justice system to benefit victims Supporters of the scheme have claimed that it focuses on low-level aggravation and so enables the community to maintain the traditional â€Å"neighbourhood watchdog† element that has almost disappeared from the streets of Britain. Complementing the respect agenda are other proposals such as a â€Å"Face the People† scheme where community meetings will be held to allow residents to hold officials exponible for community safety issues and to voice their concerns on community matters. The idea of respect within the anti-social behaviour agenda has also meant that the net has been able to be cast wider with further goals including the creation of a â€Å"task force† to clamp down on school discipline. Teachers and schools will be able to apply for parenting orders where a child’s behaviour requires it and local authorities being able to do designate housing or community safety officers to do the same.[2] Criticisms and legislative proposals As a whole the scheme has received criticism for, at best, being vague and at worst for being a clever PR slogan with nothing behind it.[3] Opposing the scheme some have said that it will not work unless the amount of police officers patrolling the streets increases in order to enforce the scheme’s proposals. Procedurally, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Football Banning Orders have been criticised as being are two key examples of ‘Hybrid Law’, imposed as a response to criminal conduct, supported by criminal law sanctions, but operating under a civil law procedure providing fewer protections for defendants. These hybrid orders have the power to severely restrict the freedom of individuals, who have not been found guilty of any criminal offence. [4] Encouraging its use and claiming that local authorities do not use them sufficiently frequently[5] the ASBO was introduced by s 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act, 1998, generated heated debate at its inception and this intensified since its subsequent development.[6] Criticisms have also been levelled by a wide variety of organisations, but particularly by those involved with children, concerned over the increased powers schools will have in obtaining â€Å"parenting orders† as well as expressing concern over the way the homeless will now be treated. The Government has not only sought to rebut these criticisms, but has encouraged and facilitated the use of anti-social behaviour measures, as an active part of the respect agenda. Will the agenda make a difference? Contrary to this, huge support has been heard as the matters involved in the respect agenda mean that responsibility of penalising the â€Å"culprits† is at a community level rather than at an institutional one at the courts. This would ease the workload on the courts and also make way for more serious crimes rather than seeing that the low-level offences make their way through the criminal justice system swiftly. As the backbone of the proposal is a reform in granting certain powers and with that is the advancement of the use of the notorious ASBO. But with the intension of serving more ASBOs means that more of them are likely to be breached with statistics showing that currently one in four ASBOs are breached.[7]. This has meant that those who work in the criminal justice system have their doubts as to the performance of the scheme; saying that jailing people solely for breaching an ASBO seems extreme, especially if the reasons for the breach have not, in themselves, been ad dressed such as a drug, alcohol addiction or prostitution.[8] Although there has been speculation as to whether the attempted â€Å"control† of behaviour through the use of ASBOs is still hotly debated; a good indication of the working of such a scheme can be noted in society’s changing attitude toward anti-social behaviour as a whole. Drink driving was once common place but is now regarded as unacceptable by most people. This change in outlook can be said to lead back to the massive publicity campaign coupled with sanctions.[9] But once again evidence serves to the contrary using the examples of the increased use of cannabis as well as the increase in sexually transmitted diseases. Which both, despite long-standing advertising campaigns, have become increasingly widespread, with the likes of certain STIs on the increase and increased cannabis use saw the government reclassify cannabis to make its use and possession a less serious offence. The Human Rights issue Some writers, especially lawyers, have concentrated on the procedural aspects of on the main elements of the proposals and the manner in which â€Å"unruly behaviour† will be dealt with – via the use of ASBOs, criticising by considering whether the government strategy is consistent with its own human rights legislation.[10] Most controversially, the scheme has also proposed to go beyond the ambit of crime and is offering what has been coined as a â€Å"shut and seal† power. A new house closure order which would lead to people deemed guilty of causing serious nuisance to others being excluded from their own homes for three months, even if they own the properties. JUSTICE,[11] has expressed its concerns over the manner in which an ASBOs may be obtained and how procedural issues in dong so are likely to encroached on human rights. Using the case of McCann[12] where the House of Lords accepted that proceedings to obtain an ASBO in accordance with section 1 of the Crime and Disorders Act, 1998 the classification of ASBO proceedings as being civil would mean that hearsay evidence would be used in all cases, even where there is no indication of witness intimidation. Expressing it’s understating of the Government’s motivation was a perception that victims of anti-social behaviour have in the past been too fearful to come forward and give evidence. But still raised concern over its unnecessary restriction the right to a fair trial; adding to their argument that this is particularly so, now that the Criminal Justice Act, 2003 has relaxed the hearsay rule to allow courts to accept such evidence in individual cases where there is a demonst rated problem of witness fear or intimidation. Jeopardising civil liberties Police powers, under the agenda, have meant that greater powers have been granted to them concerning the dispersal of groups, even when there has been no bad behaviour. This unnecessary restriction on civil liberties will potentially result in a loss of respect for the police, and the law generally, amongst the groups singled out for attention (including blanket curfew imposed on people less than 16 years of age). This should be narrowed, in that only those groups where there is evidence of actual anti-social behaviour should there then be power for the police to order that people leave the area. So if the police believe that a certain area is especially affected then they can award themselves extra powers to deal with that location in particular. Not only are these extra powers likely to create unfounded discrimination against certain groups in society but will also confuse the police as to their powers and the public as to their rights. Further criticism of the use of the ASBO in preventing anti-social behaviour is that they contain prohibitions that are too wide in scope and infringe the rights of the recipient, making breach of orders very likely.[13] Parent power – Knowing what’s best? With regards to parenting orders and increased powers allocated to school when dealing with unruly pupills, literature has critisisied this for removing young people’s right to automotny.[14] Yet at a time when the government is emphasising parents duty to produce good moral citizens, a degree of confusion about the limits of parents power is perhaps understandable. Conflicting social norms prevent parents from controlling their childrens lives, while at the same time requiring them to take responsibility for their childrens moral education and to be accountable for their childrens actions and decisions. Parents may well wonder at societys expectations of them in seeking to find the balance.[15] Impact of the interest group and supporting organisations Defining â€Å"anti-social behaviour† The meaning of the term â€Å"anti social behaviour† is wide and so problematic in its definition. As different people associate different behaviour as constituted anti-social behaviour there are certain groups at more risk than others to be unjustly swept into its categorisation. So, the wide definition of anti-social behaviour has the potential to discriminate against those from ethnic minority populations, travellers and those who simply choose an alternative lifestyle. Another main concern is that the older members of society who believe that young people are predominately anti-social means that community ties may be jeopardised as well as community relations. The risk of unnecessary over policing of young people and perhaps the unnecessary criminalisation of (what to some may be perceived as being anti-social) activities may also be prejudicial to young people’s perception of the police and be detrimental to future associations between the two groups. With the majo rity of ASBO applications being made against persons under the age of 21[16] is seems that the creation of this tension would be extremely likely. How long is the punishment? JUSTICE has expressed concern over the duration of which an ASBO can be granted. ASBOs can be served against children as young as 10. The only criteria that the magistrate must use in deciding to impose the order is that the individual has behaved in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. Breaching the conditions of an ASBO is a criminal offence, punishable by up to five years in prison. This means that individuals are being sent to prison for committing acts which are not in themselves illegal.As has already been discussed the conditions impose through an ASBO may be wide so warranting a likelihood of breach yet the punishment may not necessarily constitute the level of the breach committed. An ASBO may only be imposed for the minimum of two years, and an application to discharge an ASBO lasting more than this duration may only be made after the first two years of it have passed. The granting of an ASBO is intended to prevent future anti-social behaviour. But a two year period in a young person or adolescent’s life is a long period of time, in which as a teenager much can change.[17] JUSTICE argues that a duration as long as this is unnecessary and in part may be detrimental in the development of children into adults. Curbing what some would see as â€Å"anti-social behaviour† which may have only lasted a short period of time if allowed to â€Å"run its course† may now be drawn out over a longer period of time as part of the young person rebellion. The example given by JUSTICE is that if a young person of 15 is given an ASBO including the ban on entering a town centre, 18 months on, the now mature 17 year old may miss out on offers of employment if s till unable to entering the town centre.[18] Controversially, it has been suggested that this matter will affect children much younger than those suggested by JUSTICE in that the respect agenda is leading to a generation of children being demonised because too many are being given anti-social behaviour orders. Prof Rod Morgan, the chairman of the Youth Justice Board, says some children as young as 10 are being labelled with the mark of Cain on their foreheads because of a misplaced hysteria over teenage crime.[19] The wide spread of restrictions such as ASBOS in an attempt to â€Å"clamp down† on anti-social behaviour means that perfectly lawful activities can become criminalised through the use of an ASBO, such as children playing on the street. The fact that anti social behaviour must cause or â€Å"be likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress† should be better defined and narrowed to incorporate an objective element and a need for actual harassment.[20] Ignoring the root of the problem Whilst the civil liberties organisation Liberty[21] is concerned that children and vulnerable people who need help and support are being served with ASBOs fearing that this will create greater problems for those individuals and their roles in society. Liberty argues that if individuals are committing crimes of intimidation or harassment, then the criminal law should be used to tackle their behaviour. Concluding A suggestion for the way in which anti social behaviour may be prevented by non criminal justice means has been initiated in the respect agenda. The agenda proposes to rekindle a sense of solidarity in the community building bridges between neighbours and creating community relations. Due to this there is great scope for the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques, neighbourhood mediation and restorative justice responses. This would directly involve the communities that may have once been, or are risk of being affected by anti-social behaviour be it by young people or not. These methods would also avoid the need for a corrective criminal justice response. It would also aid in preventing the behaviour before it escalates; solving the problem rather than punishing people or removing them from their homes. At present the ASBO does not appear to be working as an efficient mechanism in the fight against anti-social behaviour. Be this because the restrictive conditions of ASBOs are frequently breached, and this can lead too easily to the further criminalisation of children and young people and (in many cases) to incarceration[22] or the more controversial fact that the frequency to which ASBOs are granted the stigma behind them has disappeared, with many young people penalised by one considering it to be a â€Å"badge† of their disorderly behaviour. At a national level, criticisms relating to the lack of fairness in the use of ASBOs need to be addressed and urgently if the ASBO is to retain any weight in society.[23] Charities have suggested that more funds should be granted to voluntary organisations and youth groups in order for young people to channel their abilities into productive activities.[24] A strong argument for this suggestion is that youth groups, activity organisations and extra-curricular centres where children and young people could attend on a voluntary basis be created. The organisations could work hand in hand with schools and maintain feedback as to the progression of the young person’s development, enabling the young person to be proactive and productive and so prevent anti-social behaviour in the long term and boredom (which may result in this) in the short term. This would also prevent the need for schools to initiate the need for parenting orders if they felt that a child’s behaviour was likely to benefit from these types of activities. Obviously, statistics are not needed to understand that anti-social behaviour and low-level crime are affecting communities at both ends of the UK and rapidly seems to have become a mounting problem. But this combined with the fact that parenting skills are being blamed and children and young people are having their freedom of association as well as their civil liberties encroached upon is all but likely to break down community ties and encourage bad behaviour further. But by creating a parallel civil system of justice where the definition of anti-social behaviour is extremely broad means that non-criminal activity, is in effect, being made criminal by the imposition of an order as a result of non-criminal proceedings. In a country that respects the rule of law – is it necessary for an order to cater for the crimination of behaviour?[25] What is obvious is that the ASBO appears to be a bandage over a gaping wound. The matters behind the granting of an ASBO and other remedial p roposals set out in the respect agenda such as lack of parenting skills and discipline, teenage binge drinking, drug and alcohol addiction, unruly pupils and lack of adequate discipline in schools and prostitution are not even marginally being addressed. Aggravating this with an increase in powers for authorities such as councils, schools and police and lack of community ties and neighbourhood schemes those who are in need of help are more likely to be punished before the true problem is addressed. Reference list Bright, S. Eviction for Anti-Social Behaviour. 2006. Conv. 2006, JAN/FEB, 85-91 Burney, E. Talking Tough, Acting Coy: What Happened to the Anti-Social Behaviour Order? Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, Volume 41,Number 5, December 2002, pp. 469-484(16) Collins, D.M. Tenant Liability for Nuisance Children. J. P. L. 2007, May, 669 – 674 Guthrie, T. Anti Social Behaviour Legislation. 2006. S.L.T. 2006, 16, 103 Hall, A. Children’s Rights, Parent’s Wishes and the State: Medical Treatment of Children. Fam Law 36 (317) 2006 Hopkins Burke, R Morrill, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders: an Infringement of the Human Rights Act 1998? R. (2002) 11 Nottingham L.J. Koffman, L. The Use of Anti-social Behaviour Orders: An Empirical Study of a New Deal for Communities Area. 2006. Crim. L.R. 2006, JUL, 593-613 Matthews, R. Policing Prostitution: Ten Years on. November 2005. 45 Brit. J. Criminology 877 Robins, J. Focus Police: Serve and Protect. (2006) LS Gaz, 9 Mar, 20 Robson, G. Community Justice Centres Part 1: A Political Agenda with Possibilities? (2006) 170 JPN 584 5 August 2006 Thomas, D.A. Sentencing: Anti-Social behaviour orders on conviction. 2006. Crim. L.R. 2006, JUN, 569-572 Case Comment: Anti-Social Behaviour. Knowsley Housing Trust v McMullen [2006] EWCA Civ 539; [2006] H.L.R. 43 (CA (Civ Div)) L. T. Review 2006, 10(4), D61-62 [1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4597378.stm (Wednesday, 11 January 2006, 08:53 GMT) [2] Op cit [3] I bid 1 [4] R. Hopkins Burke and R. Morrill, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders: an Infringement of the Human Rights Act 1998? (2002) 11 Nottingham L.J. [5] Burney, E. Talking Tough, Acting Coy: What Happened to the Anti-Social Behaviour Order? [6] Hopkins Burke, R Morrill, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders: an Infringement of the Human Rights Act 1998? [7] Koffman, L. The Use of Anti-social Behaviour Orders: An Empirical Study of a New Deal for Communities Area [8] http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/public/article697842.ece [9] I bid 1 [10] I bid 6 [11] As per report via http://www.justice.org.uk/ [12] R. (on the application of McCann v Manchester Crown Court. [2002] UKHL 39 [13] I bid 6 [14] Hall, A. Children’s Rights, Parent’s Wishes and the State: Medical Treatment of Children. [15] Op cit [16] As per statistics included in Koffman, L. The Use of Anti-social Behaviour Orders: An Empirical Study of a New Deal for Communities Area as sourced from S. Campbell, A Review of Anti-social Behaviour Orders, Home Office Research Study 236 (Home Office, 2002), at p.8. [17] As per Memorandum submitted by JUSTICE: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmhaff/80ii/80we24.htm [18] Op cit at para 10 [19] Daily Telegraph, 24 April 2006, [20] I bid 17 at para 16 [21] http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/ [22] In accordance with the proposals set out by the respect agenda: referring to the campaigns use of refer to this campaigns use of simple, populist language, justifying tough enforcement. [23] I bid 7 [24] I bid 20 [25] I bid 17 at para 19

Importance of Early Invention Essay -- Children Education Learning Ess

Importance of Early Invention Early childhood researchers have repeatedly found and established that the rate of human learning and development is most rapid in the preschool years. Therefore, if the child’s most teachable years are not taken advantage of, it could result in the child difficulty of learning a particular skill at a later time (Kidsource, 1996). Karnes and Lee (1978) have noted that, â€Å"only through early identification and appropriate programming can children develop to their full potential† (Smith, 1988). One of the most important skills young children must learn during their early childhood years is how to expressively communicate. "At least 70% of preschool children with disabilities have communication impairments and 12% of all services provided to infants and toddlers in 1995 were for speech and language (Luze, Linebarger, & Greenwood, 2001). Communication skills are important for young children to further gather knowledge, to grow cognitively, and to interact appropriately with others in their environment. If a child is delayed of communication skills, it may further delay other developmental areas and create problems. This may include problems in early literacy, school achievement, behavioral development, and establishing relationships with friends and family. Benefits of early intervention Three primary reasons for intervening in a young child that I have found are: to enhance the child’s development, to provide support and assistance to the family, and to maximize the child’s and family’s benefit to society. The child will need fewer special education and facilitative services later in life. It has been proven that children involved in early intervention are less likely to be held back in a... ...ton, VA: ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted Children. (ERIC Document Service NO. ED295399). Retrieved February 26, 2002 from ERIC database. KidSource. What is early intervention? (1996, August 10). Retrieved February 19, 2002, from http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/early.intervention.html The Editors. (2002, January 10). In early-childhood education and care: quality counts. Building Blocks for Success, 21(17), 8-9. Retrieved February 27, 2002 from http://www.edweek.org/sreports/qc02/templates/article.cmf?=17exec.h21 Newspapers & Magazines: Smith, P. (2002, February 22). You can never be too early. The Times Educational Early Intervention 14 Supplement, 1841, 23. Retrieved May 7, 2002 from Lexis-Nexis. White, T. (2001, November 16). Getting back to basics. The Baltimore Sun, 1B. Retrieved May 7, 2002 from Lexis- Nexis.

Postmodernism and Politics Essay

Postmodernism has revealed how science has been political largely because of how postmodernism approaches science, for instance. Postmodern thought does not consider the scientific method as the sole basis for determining the truth or understanding the world as there are many other approaches which, for all we know, may also be more or less valid (Cole, Hill & Rikowski, 1997, p. 189). In doing so, postmodernism views the scientific method as one of the reasons why science has dominated not only the academic circles but the bastion of human knowledge in its entirety. Basically, anything that has been established by the methods of science has been collectively understood as the truth or the closest that we can get to truth (Mirchandani, 2005, p. 93). The result is simply staggering—science has become power itself in shaping the course of human civilization. One example is how the development of the atomic bomb through careful scientific research and experiment has led the way to the contemporary proliferation of nuclear power. Countries have become all the more powerful because of their possession of nuclear armaments that could easily wipe away the threats to their sovereignty. Another example is the way in which science has created technological means for hastening the production and distribution of goods across geographical boundaries. The scientific advancement in terms of cyber technology and the internet has contributed to the increase in the capabilities of local and global businesses. In effect, large corporations have gained more ways to expand their wealth and, therefore, their influence over governments. Postmodernism has made all of these circumstances clearer than before although critics point out that postmodernism merely reveals the power of science and the other ways of explaining why science has gained such wide influence over various societies (Lee, 1999, p. 744). In essence, postmodernism has revealed the breadth of the influence and power of science over humanity inasmuch as science has largely contributed to the assimilation of political power and force over the years. Other ways may be developed in explaining how science has behaved in more recent times in changing the political landscape of the world, but postmodernism will agree that those ways do not necessarily stand of lesser significance than the scientific approaches. References Cole, M. , Hill, D. , & Rikowski, G. (1997). Between Postmodernism and Nowhere: The Predicament of the Postmodernist. British Journal of Educational Studies, 45(2), 187-200. Lee, J. (1999). The Utility of a Strategic Postmodernism. Sociological Perspectives, 42(4), 739-753. Mirchandani, R. (2005). Postmodernism and Sociology: From the Epistemological to the Empirical. Sociological Theory, 23(1), 86-115.

How Many Days Congress Works - Annual Total and Average

How Many Days Congress Works - Annual Total and Average Members of Congress work fewer than half of the days in any given year, But those account for only the legislative days, defined as an official meeting of the legislative body to do the peoples business. The House works about one day out of three, and the Senate works a little more than that, according to federal records. Youve probably heard the phrase do-nothing Congress at least once in your life, and its often a jab at the inability of lawmakers to reach common ground and pass important spending bills. Sometimes its a reference to how little Congress appears to work, especially in light of the $174,000 base salary for its members - more than three times the amount of money the median U.S. household earns. Heres an explanation of how many days Congress works every year. Number of Days Congress Works in Session a Year The House of Representatives has averaged 138 legislative days a year since 2001, according to records kept by the Library of Congress. Thats about one day of work every three days, or fewer than three days a week. The Senate, on the other hand, was in session an average of 162 days a year over the same time period. Technically a legislative day in the House can span more than 24 hours. A legislative day ends only when the session is adjourned. The Senate works a little differently. A legislative day often stretches beyond the boundaries of the 24-hour workday day and sometimes week. That doesnt mean the Senate is meeting around the clock. It just means that a legislative session merely recesses but doesnt adjourn after a days work. Here are the number of legislative days for the House and Senate each year in recent history: 2016: 131 in the House, 165 in the Senate.2015: 157 in the House, 168 in the Senate.2014: 135 in the House, 136 in the Senate.2013: 159 in the House, 156 in the Senate.2012: 153 in the House, 153 in the Senate.2011: 175 in the House, 170 in the Senate.2010: 127 in the House, 158 in the Senate.2009: 159 in the House, 191 in the Senate.2008: 119 in the House, 184 in the Senate.2007: 164 in the House, 190 in the Senate.2006: 101 in the House, 138 in the Senate.2005: 120 in the House, 159 in the Senate.2004: 110 in the House, 133 in the Senate.2003: 133 in the House, 167 in the Senate.2002: 123 in the House, 149 in the Senate.2001: 143 in the House, 173 in the Senate. House Averages 18 Hours of Work a Week Theres a little more to this analysis than just the number of days lawmakers are scheduled to cast votes. A 2013 analysis conducted by The New York Times found that the House was in session for 942 hours that year, or about 18 hours a week. That level of work, The Times noted, was the least by any Congress in a non-election year in nearly a decade. By comparison, the House worked 1,700 hours in 2007,1,350 hours in 2005,and 1,200 hours in 2011. The same went for the Senate, which had 99 voting days in 2013. Some attempts have been made to force members of Congress to work full weeks. In 2015, for example, a Republican lawmaker from Florida, Rep. David Jolly, introduced legislation that would have required the House to be in session 40 hours a week when members of the House were in Washington, D.C.A work week in Washington should be no different than a work week in every other town across the nation,† Jolly said at the time. Jollys measure failed to gain traction. Constituent Services Theres much more to being a congressman than voting. One of the most important aspects of the job is being accessible and responsive to the people who voted them into office. Its called constituent service: answering phone calls from the public, holding town-hall meetings on important issues, and assisting members of the 435 congressional districts with their problems. The nonprofit Congressional Management Foundation has reported: Members work long hours (70 hours a week when Congress is in session), endure unequaled public scrutiny and criticism, and sacrifice family time to fulfill work responsibilities. The 70-hour work week reported by members of Congress is more than twice the average length of the work week for Americans. When Congress Adjourns Congressional sessions begin in January of odd-numbered years and typically end in December of the same year. Congress adjourns at the end of each session. There are two sessions for each sitting of Congress. The Constitution forbids either the Senate or the House to adjourn for more than three days without the permission of the other chamber.

Social Policy and Legislation essays

Social Policy and Legislation essays So what is Social Policy? When asked this question I find it quite difficult to explain in terms that are easy enough for everyone to understand, therefore I have done research in order to find a simple explanation. I particularly like Hartley Deans definition, Social Policy is the study of human well-being he also states that Social Policy, involves the study of human well-being, the social relations necessary for well-being and the systems by which well-being may be promoted. In my opinion this explanation is clear, concise and makes it easy to understand. (Dean, 2005). Our thoughts and ideas of childhood as a social construction have altered noticeably over the last ten years. The development of constructions of childhood has steadily become more intricate as the numbers of theories rise. Through research of early examples of childhood this essay sets out to describe how contemporary thinking of childhood has developed through complex patterns of sociological deliberation and political, cultural and historical pressures. (Kehily, p. 2-12). During the past 10 years, the changing attitudes and arising problems within the state-parent-child relationship has stirred a vast amount of concern leading to the need for further research; which in turn has lead to new policy proposals. It is widely believed that the lack of support given to families, due to the collapse of communities working together in harmony, is impacting on the current, wider spread, social problems within our families. It has become more predominant that state-parent-child relationships play an important role in the wellbeing of todays children. (Barnes et al. 2006). Having an understanding of Social Policy offers us guidelines which in turn promotes our abilities to ensure the well-being, needs and rights of children are being met. Working towards these guidelines set by the government we are able to help change and red...

Ready to Eat (RTE) Cereal Industry in 1994 Case Study

Ready to Eat (RTE) Cereal Industry in 1994 - Case Study Example A popularity of RTE cereal industry can be explained by the concentration of manufacturers in this sector. In 1972 there were the major tendencies of anti-monopolization in this field against the largest manufacturers, such as Kellogg, General Mills, and General Foods. The cereal industry was rather profitable and it is possible to explain such kind of antagonistic moods by an inappropriate level of competitiveness in this field. The major players in this field have used the following tactics in order to deal with the developing practices of trade dealing, in-pack premiums, and vitamin-fortification (Corts 1997, p. 3). The profitability in this industry was intimidated by a potential hazard of short-run advantages of the firms and its mimicking by other competitors. Moreover, in spite of the popularity of this field of industry, there were a lot of controversies and technological challenges in the manufacturing processes experienced by the firms operating in this field. For example, in 90s in order to manufacture a flake cereal, it was necessary to combine raw ingredients, which was not rather challenging process, actually. It was more complicated to implement the extrusion processes, which were mainly used in the production of children’s cereal. Therefore, in spite of a simple appearance of this industry, it had too intricate system of manufacturing and it was not for everyone to know those secrets. On the one hand it was not that easy to enter the cereal manufacturing market for private labels. They experienced numerous challenges and brand names prevailed over them. The way for the new companies was open, but it was necessary to facilitate the process of entrance by developing and implementing criteria of a fair price-policy and manufacturing strategies for these companies. Corts (1997) puts it in the following way: â€Å"When demand for natural cereals surged

School Activities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

School Activities - Essay Example Recommendations for strategic planning include conducting surveys among school teachers and officials regarding what changes they might like to be brought in the school environment and the curriculum; among students regarding any problems they might be having inside school premises like school bullying; and, among parents regarding what they think of school’s performance with respect to their children’s academic results. An activity needs to be arranged which should address such situations like a parent coming with a complaint or a community member raising a conflict. The administrator will need to arrange a meeting with the complaining party. When the parents come, they should first be made comfortable with tea and snack. Then, their complaint will be listened to and recorded. After that, relevant persons who can solve the issue will be called and they will meet the parents. A shared collaboration will be carried out in order to reach a solution that is equally accepta ble to all involved. If the conflict is so big that it cannot be solved through meeting, then a mediatory party will be arranged who will listen to the conflicting parties and will reach an unbiased solution. This activity relates to the school administrator in that all parents who have complaints about the school or their children’s performance always come to the administrator to get the issue resolved hence, it is necessary for him to arrange meetings with them so that the atmosphere remains calm and parents are satisfied. This all adds to the school’s repertoire and is beneficial for the whole of school community because when issue get resolved there and then, it results in overall satisfaction of everybody involved in the conflict. On the other hand, when issues remain unresolved, it results in tension between the parties which are the teachers and parents in this case, and this weighs heavily on children’s academic performance eventually. To sum up, this ac tivity involves arranging meetings with the parents and entertaining them in the best possible way. 3. Lunch supervision is very important if the aim is to achieve discipline among students. It is a common practice that students do not follow any rules and regulations during lunch time and since they are feeling hungry, so lunch lines become a mess as every child tries to get his turn first. Activity will include arranging a queue supervisor who will be a teacher or a class monitor. He will make the students form queues and will be present there for the whole of the lunch time to keep a check in students. He will make sure that no student breaks the queue and tries to get ahead of his turn. He will note down the names of students breaking the rule and will notify them to the school administrator. Students who follow the rule strictly will also be notified to the administrator and they will be appreciated in front of their classes. Doing so will motivate the students to keep a check on their own selves and with the passage of time, they will learn to stay in disciplined queues without the need for having a supervisor keeping an eye on them constantly. This activity relates to the school administrator in that he is responsible for the maintenance of discipline within school premises. He has to take steps to ensure that no student gets indulged in an activity that is a threat to school discipline. This activity will be beneficial to the overall school community because discipline will be achieved through control. Also, lunch time will be very peaceful with properly arranged lunch lines.