In the constantly evolving landscape of governance, policy transfer, the process of adopting and adapting policies from one jurisdiction to another, has become an essential tool for innovation and improvement. By looking to international examples and adapting them to local contexts, policy makers can leapfrog challenges and implement proven solutions. Wales has been particularly active in this arena, drawing on global practices to shape local policies. Here’s a look at three instances where Wales has drawn on policy transfer, highlighting successes, pitfalls, and lessons learned.
Organ Donation Opt-Out System
Background
On 1st December 2015, Wales became the first country in the UK to move to a “soft opt-out” system of consent to organ donation. This means that when someone dies, it is presumed they want to donate their organs – unless they have actively opted out of the system, with approval of the family also required. The “soft opt-out” system was inspired by that implemented in Spain in 1979, which has since contributed to Spain holding the highest organ donation rates in the world[1].
Successes
Consent rates rose to 64.1% within the first six months, leading to more organ transplants, and reached an all-time high in Wales of 77% in 2018/2019. The success has influenced other parts of the UK to adopt similar systems.
Challenges
Implementation required delicate handling of religious, familial, and ethical matters while ongoing public education and clear communication were vital to maintaining public trust.
Analysis
The implementation shows the importance of stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and respect for cultural sensitivities. It highlights that a careful, localised approach can lead to a successful policy transfer.
Fusion of Health and Social Care
Background
The Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act (2014) and A Healthier Wales (2018), established a 10 year plan for delivering preventative, integrated health and social care in Wales[2]. Drawing on experiences in New Zealand, Wales has been at the forefront of integrating health and social care, with a focus on prevention and early intervention[3].
Successes
The fusion has led to better care coordination, patient satisfaction, and service efficiency.
Regional Partnership Boards and the Integrated Health and Social Care Regional Integration Funds have been designed to ensure the policy can meet local needs.
Challenges
The alignment of different professional cultures was a complex challenge and organisational resistance had to be overcome. Adequate investment was needed to support the integration of services.
Analysis
The integration illustrates the complexities of policy transfer in multifaceted systems like healthcare. It emphasises the need for collaboration, proper funding, and ongoing adaptation to local needs.
Foundation Phase in Early Years Education
Background
In 2008, Wales introduced a new holistic play-based learning approach for children aged three to seven called the Foundation Phase. Influenced by similar developments in Denmark and New Zealand, the Foundation Phase replaced subjects with areas of learning, emphasising learning through play and outdoor activities. The Foundation Phase was replaced by the Curriculum for Wales in September 2022, the new Curriculum for Wales builds on the developments of the Foundation Phase and represents a shift from a knowledge-based curriculum to a more interactive curriculum.
Successes
The new model has had positive effects on children’s well-being and social development. It has received substantial backing from educators and parents for its child-centered ethos and has made positive contributions to the development of physical literacy[4].
Challenges
The implementation of the Foundation Phase faced some resistance, emphasising the need for comprehensive training and education to address concerns over how to assess children’s progress under the new system.
Analysis
The Foundation Phase underlines the potential of policy transfer to foster educational innovation. It demonstrates that thoughtful planning, training, and stakeholder buy-in are key to effective implementation.
Lessons Learned
Wales’ experiences with policy transfer and development offers a series of useful insights:
Emphasis on Local Context: Successful policy transfer requires understanding and adapting to the unique local context.
Holistic Approach: Policy transfer isn’t just about copying a policy; it’s about understanding the underlying principles and tailoring them to suit.
Ongoing Commitment: Continuous evaluation, education, communication, and willingness to adapt are crucial for sustained success.
In the world of governance, policy transfer serves as a bridge between global insights and local applications. The experiences of recent policy developments in Wales provide insight into how this bridge can be effectively constructed, serving both the immediate community and contributing to broader global dialogue on effective governance and highlighting the need for ongoing evaluation and engagement.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-50069474
[2] https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-05/social-services-and-well-being-wales-act-2014-the-essentials.pdf
[3] https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2022-02/health-and-social-care-regional-integration-fund-revenue-guidance-2022-2027.pdf
[4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303559235_The_Foundation_Phase_in_Wales_-_a_play-based_curriculum_that_supports_the_development_of_physical_literacy
