The terms policy and procedures are crucial to an organization and are interdependent. However, there is a big difference between the two that is important to be aware of. The term policy is a plan of action and has an impact on an organization. It is reactive, since it is created with the purpose of obtaining an answer to a current urgent problem. On the other hand, the procedures are steps that help to achieve excellence with the policy.
The differences between policies and procedures for social care services are:
What is a policy?
A policy gives an organization the all-purpose direction provided by a set of rules that is comprised of senior executive leadership. It is a general principle that the senior executives have agreed upon and that all employees who are part of the association will abide by it. A policy maker is someone who makes decisions for a group or collective organization. It is a high-level rule that is supported by the organization’s procedures.
A policy can be both reactive (as mentioned above) and proactive. That means it is a course of action designed to prevent a problem or problem.
Considering the examples given below:
- Example of reactive policy is housing
- An example of a proactive policy is that of government kickbacks or kickbacks.
The key to good policymaking is a good method for top executives to make decisions that set directions for the company.
What should be the characteristics of a good policy?
- A policy must be clear and simple. However, it does not explain how they are to be achieved.
- Fortunately, the principle is well established in an organization and therefore negates the need for revision.
- There may be both internal and external policies for different stakeholders.
What is the procedure?
The procedure explains how a policy works. It is similar to a roadmap that explains how organizations comply with the policy. Procedure by its term has the literal meaning of a series of small tasks or steps that one takes to perform a task. There are also different levels of procedures, from highest to lowest, that outline the steps to follow when documenting a policy.
What should be the characteristics of a good procedure?
- You must explain how a business gets to its destination and you must also comply with all business laws.
- Reveal step-by-step instructions on how a business gets to that destination. Step-by-step directions help the company overcome barriers in how to excel in its policy.
- It is an algorithm or protocol that must be followed for the benefit of the institution.
- A procedure includes all the tools, means, and methods that are used to meet the requirements of the policy.
You might think that a policy and a law are somewhat similar. However, the truth is far away. Policies, on the one hand, guide the decisions of a company or institutions; on the other hand, the laws implement justice and order.
A policy is a plan of action and a law is an established procedure or standard that each member of a society must follow. A law is highly dependent on policies, as the latter is used to create them.
Having a set of standard policies and procedures is essential for a business. On the other hand, the latter defines how that is going to be done. Therefore, both policy and procedure are obvious elements of an organization that must be taken care of when drafting social care services.