need, or social problem, is the implementation of social policy. The concept of human needs can be defined in two ways, absolute needs and relative needs. Absolute needs are the basic needs that humans have to ensure survival. Whereas, relative needs are more of a social construction in which individuals ‘need’ particular material items, in order to adhere with their particular social surroundings. This essay will explore the answer as to why the concept of need is so important within social policy, drawing to the conclusion that understanding what needs are not being met is a vital process in understanding social problems; to then introduce a policy accordingly. The making of a social policy is also dependent on a number of different factors such as; external factors, pressure groups, research studies, individuals, the media, as well as constraints. This essay will analysis arguably the most important factors of; external pressures, individuals and the media, and constraints.

The concept of need is so important within social policy as it is vital in effecting specific policies that are implemented. Having an understanding of needs also helps researchers of social policies and problems to interpret why a social problem has come about. A key example of this in the UK could be demonstrated with the social problem of homelessness. By understanding the importance of need in this scenario, researchers were able to deduce that the cause of this social problem was not due to the individual, but ‘the single most common cause of homeless people is poverty’ (Christian, 2003, p.107), meaning that people are unable to afford the high prices that the commercial market offers. As a result of this, the government has responded by implementing a benefits schemes as a social policy, where an allowance is provided to those who struggle having a steady income, to allow them to afford housing(Gov.co.uk, 2018). In conjunction to this, the government have also implemented a policy of social housing. This policy essentially allows properties to be sold to those who are getting a steady income but at a cheaper price than what the commercial sector is offering. This social policy has then meant that individuals can have a house to live in, instead of the alternative scenario where they could be living in unfit environments or potentially be homeless. The issue of homelessness is ever increasing with figures showing that number had increased to ‘4,751 people bedded down outside overnight in 2017, up 15% on the previous year’ (Butler, 2018). In reaction to this unmet need has encouraged a discussion of a revised social housing policy (2018) with a main goal of ‘providing safe, secure homes that help people get on with their lives’ (Gov.co.uk, 201