Assessment Task 3_2014: Policy Report

Rationale
Policy development and implementation is the core business of what democratic governments do. Decision-making regarding public policy impacts the lives of individuals, families, communities and society in some way. Hence, it is imperative that those involved, and those who practice, the promotion of health acknowledge that health is developed in the public arena - public health is political (Baum 2006). To promote the principles and values of the New Public Health agenda, particularly regarding the way in which health is influenced by decision-making outside of the health environment, this assessment is designed for you to build your knowledge of pubic policy process and the ideologies of healthy public policy (HPP).

Undertaking this report, provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of public policy process and features of healthy public policy. The assessment task has three identified areas of reporting. Firstly it requires a robust discussion of public policy and healthy public policy (HPP) theory – so that you demonstrate your knowledge of both concepts and provide a clear indication of how public policy is linked to health outcomes. This section provides the theoretical and background context of the report.

The second section is a brief critique and analysis of policy through the features of healthy public policy. You have a local government policy and briefing paper on the topic of food security (see AT3 Module). In doing so, you critique the policy document and briefing paper to establish if HPP values were considered in the development of the policy structure.

Simply, for each of the six HPP features+ you are to discuss if the policy includes/outlines/discusses/highlights such an approach (i.e., YES - it was considered, or NO if your critique of the HPP feature suggests it was not considered), you must provide a brief rationale for each response+.

In the third section of the report – a critical discussion and analysis of how well the policy is positioned when viewed through a Health in All Policies lens is required. This section draws on the complexity of the content covered in HSH702. In this section you demonstrate your understanding of Contemporary Health Issues and Policies through a robust, evidenced based discussion.

The findings are to be presented as a written report. Report writing is a competency task for professional health practice. For some of you already in working roles, this may come easy. However, for others, writing a report is a new task that will involve you undertaking independent research to establish report writing requirements and presentation.

Again, be mindful to consider your learning objectives when undertaking this process. Revisit what you stated as your learning objectives at the commencement of the unit, and question - how does the process of undertaking assessment task three assist you to achieve one, two or three of your learning objectives.

Your task is to address the following:
• Discuss public policy process – healthy public policy and HiAP
You have been introduced to the theoretical position of policy, public policy and policy process. You are required to explore these concepts and demonstrate your understanding of the terms and processes involved in the Australian political system and in the development and decision making of public policy.

Similarly, it is important that you demonstrate your understanding of healthy public policy in a succinct and articulate manner. You need to explain notions of HPP and HiAP. Again, put this in context (i.e. presenting a background the historical context of the new public health agenda, and the thinking and shifts of this movement).

• Policy Critique and Analysis (Food Security Policy –see AT3 Module )
For this task you will critique the policy document provided for the consideration of HPP features. A policy briefing paper is also provided to give background context of the policy development and process.

In this section you respond and discuss how well the policy considered and/or applied the six features of healthy public policy (see AT3 Module for Baum 2008 eReading).

1. Issues are multi-sectoral
2. Engagement comes from many interest groups
3. Health risks are global not regional
4. Aims to be educational and persuasive not dictatorial
5. Action for healthy public policy takes many forms
6. HPP is intrinsically a political activity

You respond by providing a brief assessment of each feature and include a rationale of the position taken (i.e. yes, no or limited – rationale of why this is so). Following the critique of each of the six discussion points you are to provide a brief summary of your overall assessment of HPP features employed in the development and intent of the policy (one paragraph only).

Note: You do NOT critique or assess the TOPIC of Food Security – you are assessing Healthy Public Policy features ONLY.

• Discuss the Health in All Policies Standing
In the final section of the report discuss how well the Maribyrnong Food Security policy is positioned when viewed through a Health in All Policies lens. Thus, you will draw on your knowledge of HPP and HiAP and consider how well the policy you have critiqued assumes a Health in All Policies position.

You have covered contemporary issues, social health, social determinants, healthy public policy, public policy process and Health in All Policies across the trimester. This final section requires you to draw on your knowledge of HSH702 content and discuss how well the policy draws on the values and principles of HiAP. You need to discuss if/how the policy has the potential for the betterment of individual, family, and community health outcomes. If this is not the case – why not?

AT3 Resources – Refer to Assessment Task 3 Module
• Maribyrnong City Council Food Security Policy 2011 – 2013
• Maribyrnong City Council Food Security Briefing Paper
• Baum, F.(2008) Reading – Healthy Public Policy (Chapter 24)
• Healthy Public Policy features
• HiAP principles
• Health in All Policies (HiAP) Framework for Country Action, January 2014 (WHO website)


The report is a formal document and thus, you must always introduce your report intent/content and provide a concluding statement:
• Typically, with a report of this size it would be a small paragraph for the introduction and the conclusion.

Introduction – details the intent of the report (what it is about and why).
Conclusion – sums up the discussion (what was said and why).

This is assessed as part of the Style and Presentation Marking Criteria.

Presentation
Times Roman
Size 12 Font
Spacing 1.5
Harvard Referencing style


You must substantiate all academic work (e.g. peer reviewed journals, text books, sources of information used in the document must be cited).

NOTE:
Any papers submitted without substantiation/referencing - will not be marked.




Assessment three: Policy Report

Due date: Wednesday June 4th @ 10pm

Weighting: 40%

Length: ~2000 words

________________________________________
In your report you are expected to:
Demonstrate your knowledge of public policy and process. Demonstrate your understanding of HPP and HiAP. Present findings of a policy analysis using the features of healthy public policy and draw conclusions how well the policy provided assumes the position of HiAP. Communicate your findings in a report document and support your discussion by evidence-based literature.
________________________________________

Marking criteria

Aspects of AT3 Description Marks

Public Policy: Demonstrates an understanding of 10
Public policy process in Australian context

HPP/HiAP: Demonstrates knowledge of: 15
- Ideologies and thinking around HPP/HiAP
- Places HPP/HiAP in context

Policy Analysis: Findings provide a report of: 25
- Introduction to policy (b’gnd)
- Discussion of each HPP feature
- A summary of the HPP intent

Health in All Policies: Assessment of HiAP position 30
- Critical discussion of HiAP position
- Drawing on unit theory and content

Evidence of Literature: Use of literature to support discussion 15

Style and presentation: Presentation and structure 5
________________________________________


Assessment criteria
Grading of assessment AT3 will be according to the following criteria

Criteria Range of performance

PP in Australian context: Marginal (0-2)
Responsiveness to task Does not provide key features of PP in Australian context
10 marks Fair (3-5)
Limited outline of PP or demonstration of understanding
Good (6-8)
General – provided general discussion of PP, lacks detail
Excellent (9-10)
Clearly defines PP & places discussion in Australian context

HPP/HiAP: Marginal (0-3)
Responsiveness to task little or no discussion of HPP/HiAP
15 marks Fair (4-7)
Some discussion but lacks understanding of HPP/HiAP
Good (8-11)
Outlines background and concept – general discussion
Excellent (12-15)
Details HPP/HiAP clearly – places HPP/HiAP in context

Policy analysis: Marginal (0-6)
Responsiveness to task little outline of analytical process – lacks key information
25 marks Fair (7-12)
(3.5 each feature) Some critique –too descriptive, lacks analysis
(4 marks – summary) Good (13-18)
Good analysis – good general discussion
Excellent (19-25)
Critically analyses policy – thorough critique of all steps

Discussion: Marginal (0-6)
Responsiveness to task No or little conclusion drawing on unit content and HiAP
30 marks Fair (7-15)
Discussion lacks clear understanding of HiAP in context
Good (16-23)
Good concluding comments – drew points together well
Excellent (24-30)
Clear, well structured discussion of HiAP position & unit

Assessment criteria - continued
Grading of assessment AT3 will be according to the following criteria

Use of literature
Evidence of literature Marginal (0-5)
15 marks Little or no mention of ideas from literature
Fair (6-8)
Basic use of literature, lacking in breadth
Good (9-11)
Mentions key ideas and thoughts from literature
Excellent (12-15)
Draws on literature to assist critique and analysis

Presentation
Written work Marginal (0-2)
5 marks Difficult to follow, poor academic paper
Fair to Good (3-4)
Clear, crisp and logical discussion
Excellent (5)
Innovative work, well-presented, easy to read and follow