cept of need is important within social policy. What other factors influence the making of social policy?
‘Social policies aim to improve human welfare and to meet human needs for education, health, housing and social security’ (Ken Blakemore, 2007, p.1). In other words, this could be viewed as describing social policy as the route to social change. A social problem is often defined when society’s needs are not being met, which are then as a result extended into the wider public and ‘becomes a more widely shared experience in the community’ (Pete Alcock, 2016). Often the solution to an unmet 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 p