8 Social planning Part 1

Keshav Walke

epgp books

Contents Outline

 

Ø  Introduction

Ø  Objectives

Ø  The context of Rothman’s social planning model in community organization

Ø  Concept and definition of Social Planning

Ø  Rationale of programme planning

 

 

Introduction:

 

The definitions for social planning are diverse. This is a reflection of the vast field of activities that the term social planning can be applied and the range of perceptions and expectations of the term held by different groups. Local Governments have always undertaken a range of activities that are now encompassed under the definition of social planning /These activities are based on the promotion of ‘well-being’ in a community and may include: transport, health, housing, employment, community safety, recreation, education, culture, community facilities and the environment. Despite the variations, there are fundamental consistencies that underpin all definitions, including that social planning is value based, people focused, participatory and equitable.

 

Objectives:

 

After going through the module titled “Social Planning.” learner would able to know and understand the concept and process of social planning and the nature of social planning in India.

 

 

·   Planning is the process of preparing a blueprint of actions to attain stated objectives within a time frame. The determination of objectives, the specifications of targets, the strategy for mobilization of resources, the allocation of outlays to different development sectors, the blueprint of actions (including their operationalisation in the shape of policies, programmes and their delivery system) are aspects which have to be considered in any planning exercise

 

· Social planning is a process for planning social services programs, services, and policies. Government agencies engage in large-scale development, research, and planning to address social problems. Social planning is used by policy makers-legislators, government agencies, planners and often funders to solve community problems or improve conditions in the community.

 

 

·  Planning is essential because it enables us to formulate with some precision what we intend to achieve within a given time frame. Prioritization among various objectives enables us to demarcate the more important objectives from those, which are less so.

·   Planning gives expression to the idea of intervention and it is a central notion in social development. Advocates of planning contend that social and economic processes can be directed through rational intervention to improve society.

 

The context of Rothman’s social planning model in community organization:

 

Community organization is the process of people coming together to address issues that matter to them. Community members developing plans for how the city can be a place where all its children do well. Neighbors joining in protests to stop drugs and violence in their community, members of faith communities working together to build affordable housing- these are all examples of community organization efforts.

 

Rothman (1995) identify three models of community organization and macro practice. Originally developed in 1970, Rothman’s three models of community practice have probably been one of the most influential conceptualizations of macro social work practice.

 

·         Locality Development (Bottom-up)

·            Social Planning (Top-down)

·         Social Action (Inside-out)

 

The social planning model is in some ways the opposite of locality development. It refers as a top-down model of community change. It emphasizes the technical aspects of solving problems. It assumes that most social problems in large industrial societies are too complex for the average citizen to understand. Therefore, professionals who have specialized expertise must guide and control the change process through the use of technical skills such as sophisticated data collection and analysis and the manipulation of large bureaucratic organizations. Participation on the part of the citizens can vary greatly, but this model often provides little opportunity for citizen input into the planning process. Some have criticized it as an “elitist” model of social change.

The social planning approach is concerned with the application of technical skills and expertise to public problems, with emphasis on rational, deliberative decision making and planning. The approach is task oriented and community participation is usually not emphasized. As visualized by Rothman social planners gather facts, analyze situations, and use their technical skills to develop and implement programs.

It refers to the type of community work where a worker or agency undertakes an exercise of evaluating welfare needs and existing services in the area and suggests a possible blue print for a more efficient delivery of services, it is termed as social planning. It is concerned with social problems, for example, housing, education, health, childcare and so on. Its aim is to affect a large population. The community planner works in that capacity with the government and is often identified with power structure of the community. But basically he is interested in the needs and attitudes of the community and help them plan their future.

 

Social planning is used at various levels of government and in numerous public agencies. In recent years the social planning approach has received much attention in the areas of urban renewal and health planning.”The approach presupposes that change in a complex industrial environment requires expert planners who, through the exercise of technical abilities, including the ability to manipulate large bureaucratic organizations, can skillfully guide complex change processes.

Definition of social planning:

 

 

·     Alfred J. Kahn defines planning as follows: Planning is policy choice and programming in the light of facts, projections and application of values.

 

·     Michael Clague defined social planning as, “a local, democratic system for setting priorities, arriving at equitable compromises and taking action. It supports community needs and interests in social, cultural, economic, and environmental affairs.”

·      Kimball Young: “Planning is a programme aimed at sociocultural change in a particular direction with a given aim or goal in mind”.

· Sumner and Keller. Social Planning “is the development of non-instinctive foresight that distinguishes the man”.

·  Merrill and Eldredge: “Social planning is merely organised foresight aimed at accepted goals and based on existing knowledge of skills”

· Alfred J. Kahn defines planning as follows: Planning is policy choice and programming in the light of facts, projections and application of values.

 

· Boyle, 1965: Programme planning is viewed as a process through which representatives of the people are intensively involved with extension personnel and other professional people in four activities :

·     Studying facts and trends;

·     Identifying problems and opportunities based on these facts and trends;

·       Making decisions about problems and opportunities that should be given priority; and

·  Establishing objectives or recommendations for future economic and social development of a community through educational programmes.

 

·   Olson, 1962: An organized and purposeful process, initiated and guided by the agent, to involve a particular group of people in the process of studying their interests, needs and problems, deciding upon and planning education and other actions to change their situation in desired ways and making commitments regarding the role and responsibilities of the participants. This definition implies that it:

 

·         Is a decision-making, social process;

·         Involves advance thinking;

·         Is a progressive step-by-step process;

·         Uses educational means in defining the goals and situations;

 

·         Is built around improved technology, people, their needs, interests, resources, values, attitudes and skills; and

 

·         The end-product is a written statement of situation, problems, objectives and solutions.

·         Thus extension programme planning may be defined as:

·         A decision-making, social-action process in which extension educationists involve people’s representatives,

·         To determine their needs, problems, resources and priorities,

·         In order to decide on an extension programme consisting of situation analysis, problems, objectives and solutions,

·         Which will form the basis of extension teaching plans for a given period.

 

 

Rationale of programme planning:

 

 

1.    Progress requires a design: Effective education is a result of design not drift; it results from a plan-not from trial and error. The experience of workers in education and in other educational agencies has been that progress is made most effectively when a plan of action is set forth and followed. The pay-off for educational effort comes when people change their behaviour to improve their situation. These results come most rapidly when careful planning is done and when effective teaching methods are used.

 

2.    Planning gives direction: There are no tests for directing the people’s learning in extension. This arguments the difficulty of designing a plan and underscores the fact that planning is one of the most important jobs of extension workers.

 

In planning or constructing a course of study, the teacher should be guided by five major factors: (1) the purpose for which the course is offered, its aims; (2) the characteristics and needs of those who are to take the course; (3) the educational environment of these persons; (4) the sources of information available; and (5) the requirements or demands of the vocation or other uses to which the learning is to be put. These factors apply to the development of extension programmes as well as to the curriculum of the public schools. The factors that apply to the study of a situation will be considered more closely a little later.

 

3.    Effective learning requires a plan: There must be consciously directed effort on the part of the teacher to give guidance to the learning process. The direction of this teaching effort can best be stated in terms of objectives. They must be developed with the people to be taught and must be capable of attainment by and with the people concerned.

  1. Planning precedes action: The results of an action are dependent on the following: adequacy of analysis of the problems, situation of objectives and involvement of the people. Through the planning process, questions such as these are posed:

What information do farm men and women need most?

  1. Which kind of information shall be extended?
  • What information shall be extended first?
  1. How much time shall be devoted to this line of work?
  2. How much effort shall be devoted to this line of work?

The answers to these questions lie in the programme planning process.

Kelsey and Hearne (1949) have given the following rationale for a planned extension programme. According to them, sound extension programme planning is based on

 

  1. Analysis of the facts in the situation;
  2. Selects problems based on needs;
  3. Determines objectives and solutions which offer satisfaction;
  4. Reflects performance with flexibility;
  5. Incorporate balance with emphasis;
  6. Envisages a definite plan of work;
  7. Is a continuous process;
  8. Is a teaching process;
  9. Is a coordinating process;
  10. Involves local people and their institutions; and
  11. Provides for evaluation of results.

Summary:

Thus it could be said that planning programmes is an integral part of the development process and ensures better and efficient utilization of resources, accountability and human development.

you can view video on Social planning Part 1

 

References

 

  1. Web links (Link of Wikipedia/Other Websites, e-journal articles/ Papers, Blogs, etc)
  2. http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195389678/obo-9780195389678-0123.xml
  3. http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/promotion-strategies/social-planning-policy-change/main
  4. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/economic-institutions/social-planning-requisites-and-types-of-social-planning/31331
  5. http://www.ignou.ac.in/upload/bswe-02-block5-unit-25-small%20size.pdf
  6. http://www.urbancentre.utoronto.ca/pdfs/researchassociates/Social_Planning_SWK_ 4663_19.pdf
  7. http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_196802_link.pdf
  8. file:///C:/Users/Aman/Downloads/Social%20Planning%20JID%202003.pdf