Example social policy dissertation topic 8:

Faith-based welfare organisations: Part of the ‘Big Society’ or manipulating the vulnerable?

This dissertation explores in detail four faith-based welfare organisations: the Salvation Army, the Trussell Trust, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, and Norwood. It examines the extent to which faith-based organisations currently do, or are likely to receive, funding from local authorities and national government, and whether such funding implies a deterioration in the maxim of the division of church and state. Additionally, the thesis investigates the degree to which discrimination is evident, both in the employment policies of faith-based organisations (for example, the Trussell Trust states that job applicants must be ‘sympathetic to the Christian ethos of the Trust), and in the selection of those whom they help. Finally, the paper considers the role of proselytising in the distribution of welfare to the most vulnerable in society.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Evans, S. (2012). ‘Faith based welfare looms as local authorities ask ‘Big Society’ to feed the poor’, National Secular Society, 29th August 2012.
• Furness, S. and Gilligan, P. (2012). ‘Faith-based organisations and UK welfare services: Exploring some ongoing dilemmas’, Social Policy and Society, Vol. 11, pp. 601-612.
• Jochum, V., Pratten, B. and Wilding, K. (2007). Faith and voluntary action: An overview of current evidence and debates. London: National Council for Voluntary Organisations.