The short guide to community development 2e by Gilchrist Alison Taylor Marilyn

Author:Gilchrist, Alison, Taylor, Marilyn [Gilchrist, Alison, Taylor, Marilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781447327837
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Published: 2016-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

Using and influencing policies

Communities are part of larger social, economic and political systems, and community development workers need to be able to operate within these but also attempt to change them if necessary. They should have some political acumen, understand the policy making process and know how to be effective on committees and working groups. Having a sound understanding of the wider context and systemic pressures will make them more effective as negotiators and, on occasion, able to oppose the abuse of power or information.

An effective community development worker therefore needs to be aware of the current policy environment, including any pertinent legal rights and responsibilities, and, perhaps most importantly, any opportunities for political leverage for gaining resources, such as through asset transfer, service contracts or programme funding. This requires a good knowledge of local decision-making structures: local authority committees as well as any forums and panels where communities can talk with their elected councillors and officers. There may also be cross-sectoral partnerships and consortiums operating to deliver services while community engagement exercises will pop up from time to time. An important role for the worker is to make sure that community members are able to influence these or become valued partners. Careful judgement and debate is required in deciding whether taking up such options will be worthwhile or simply divert energy and time from community efforts to achieve more meaningful change.

A good community worker will also be alert to opportunities to exert influence and obtain resources, perhaps by exploiting uncertainties or divisions between decision makers, or by finding allies in unexpected places. As Chapter Four suggests, there is much to be learnt from the experience of social movement activists, especially in relation to levering open ‘cracks’ in the system and mobilising people around a common cause. The practice of community development is also potentially affected by a plethora of policies and organisational procedures, some of which may be contradictory.

Box 5.4 Understanding policy tools

A tenant participation officer for a large housing association was able to use the organisation’s policies on antisocial behaviour and equalities to ensure that residents experiencing homophobic harassment were protected, while the perpetrators were moved to a different estate with both support and sanctions in place to encourage them to change their attitudes. A thorough knowledge of the relevant procedures meant that the victims’ privacy was respected and they gained much-needed security in their own home. The association’s commitment to equality for all tenants led to a mini-poster campaign in the area, which in turn generated a great deal of discussion.

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