1.1 Describe the relationship between legislation, policies and procedures.
Legislation, policies and procedures are all tools that legislators, administrators and other decision-makers use to carry out their responsibilities. Each has its own purposes, but they are related in at least three ways.
The parliament (or government) establishes legislation as the general rules or principles under which an activity is carried out. Policies provide detailed instructions about how to carry out those rules or principles. Procedures specify the specific steps that must be taken to implement policies.
For example, a workplace safety law may require employers to take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Policies would be developed to explain how that requirement should be fulfilled, while procedures might specify specific actions such as providing protective equipment or conducting regular training sessions.
It is worth noting that while legislation is the basis of all policies and procedures, in many cases, it may not be sufficient to provide detailed instructions. It may therefore be necessary for legislators or administrators to develop additional guidance through policies and procedures which can expand upon the rules laid out by legislation.
Legislation is usually the starting point, as it is the broadest and most general type of document. Policies are then created to give further detail about how the rules should be carried out, while procedures provide specific instructions on what actions need to take place in order for policies to be effectively implemented. Together these three documents provide a framework for decision-makers and administrators alike to understand their responsibilities within an organisation or institution.
The relationships between legislation and policies can change over time as well – especially if officials consider new information and change their thinking about how best to implement a particular rule or principle. This might result in an amendment being made either in the form of a new bill or through a revision of existing policy documents.
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2. Summarise legislation in relation to health and social care.
- 1.3. Analyse how legislation informs policies and procedures in health and social care provision.
- 2.1. Explain reasons for professional standards and codes of practice within the health and social care sector.
- 2.2. Summarise requirements of professional standards and codes of practice.
- 3.1. Explain the functions of national and local health and social care provision.
- 3.2. Describe factors that influence national and local service delivery.
- 4.1. Explain the roles and responsibilities of health and social care practitioners.
- 4.2. Describe different working relationships in health and social care settings.
- 4.3. Explain the need for health and social care practitioners to adhere to the boundaries of their own job role.