Open university essay writing
Criminal Justice Topics For Paper
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Discusion board Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Discusion board - Assignment Example The applications likewise empower the executives recognize and right any unanticipated difficulties that may emerge. Business forms are wellsprings of upper hand. Business forms should be novel and vital to offer an upper hand. For example, a business with forms concentrated on the making of imaginative items and administrations or those that depict a high affectability to client questions and concerns will in general make an upper hand over their adversaries. 2-How does Porters five powers shape industry rivalry and system? What are the suggestions? Do you concur with these five powers? Is there whatever other power that influences rivalry and procedure? What is the job of MIS in this structure? Understanding oneââ¬â¢s business, explicitly the qualities and shortcomings, is significant in confronting rival rivalry. This is the premise in Porterââ¬â¢s five powers that shape industry rivalry and procedure. As indicated by Porter, these five are; provider power, purchaser power, serious competition, danger of replacement and danger of new section. The five are focused in understanding the force that lies in a business and extremely helpful in the investigation of the current situating of a business, from a serious perspective. Understanding this force, as indicated by Porter, empowers one to increase a bit of leeway position by gaining by the qualities and improving shortcomings. For example, in danger of new passage, the information that contenders can without much of a stretch infiltrate the market and bring rivalry empowers a business make boundaries sufficiently able to keep off contenders accordingly keep up a serious position. These powers shape the business sectors and enterprises organizations work in. For example, in serious contention, having not very many or no contenders at all offers a business upper hand in the business it works in. I concur with these five
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Emergency Services Management - ManMade Disasters - Media Essay
Crisis Services Management - ManMade Disasters - Media - Essay Example Smoke and ash content in air could quickly expand 1 to 2 hours before the fire arriving at the edge of our town. 3. As a wellbeing measure, I have requested the clearing at first of the western rural areas of Everyville comprising of the zones west of the trench. Departure of extra regions may get important as we track the headway of the fierce blaze. The territories recognized for guaranteed departure are appeared in the joined guide. 4. The departure will start in roughly 1 hour from now and ought to be finished in a limit of 2 hours. Police and fire administration work force are being sent in the region to aid the clearing. I demand all residents to support these urban representatives, who are putting their lives in danger, to carry out their responsibilities adequately. Inability to agree to guidelines from police or fire administrations work force would be treated as a criminal offense. 5. Convey just the base fundamentals with you when you empty your home. These fundamentals are appeared in the straightforward graph beneath. What's more convey camping cots and change of apparel for every relative and some food and drinking water to enhance what is being masterminded at the shelter places. . You can utilize your own vehicles or trucks to move to the shelter zones or utilize the vehicle vehicles that have been organized by the municipal specialists. The police and fire administration staff would give direction. 6. The asylum regions distinguished in the town of Everyville are the Civic Center, The Church of St. Andrews, and the High School. The area of these asylum territories are appeared on the guide discharged with this announcement. Volunteers have been situated at every one of these structures to dole out spaces and to assist individuals with settling in. A few plans for food and water are likewise being made. Specialists and attendants from the town emergency clinic will be accessible to give clinical help if necessary (CWPP, 2008). 7. Prior to you
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Trazodone Potential Side Effects
Trazodone Potential Side Effects Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Common Side Effects and Overdose Symptoms of Trazodone By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 05, 2020 Mariam Ushkhvani / EyeEm / Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis In This Article Table of Contents Expand Uses Common Side Effects Less Common Side Effects When to See a Doctor Signs of Overdose Withdrawal Symptoms Rare but Serious Side Effects View All Back To Top Trazodone, an antidepressant sometimes used in treating bipolar disorder, is often prescribed to treat insomnia because its most frequent side effect is sedation.?? Trazodones original brand name is Desyrel, and there is an extended-release form sold under the brand name Oleptro. Uses in Bipolar Disorder Trazodone may be used to treat the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder, or it may be used to help with insomnia. Common Side Effects These common side effects of trazodone may lessen or stop altogether once your system gets used to the medication.?? Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects dont go away or are bothersome: Dizziness or lightheadednessDrowsiness/sleepinessDry mouthHeadacheNauseaFatigueBlurred visionConstipationDiarrheaBack painSexual dysfunction (decreased desire or performance ability) Trazodones sedating effect is so common that the drug is prescribed for sleep problems. Consequently, do not to engage in potentially hazardous activities, including driving, until you know how this drug affects you. Less Common Side Effects Always notify your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these less common side effects:?? Abdominal painMuscle achesProblems with coordination or memoryMigraineTinglingAgitationDisorientationShortness of breathNight sweatsUrgent need to urinateVomitingVisual disturbanceConfusionDrop in blood pressure when standing up (orthostatic hypotension)Muscle tremorsHearing problemsTinnitusAbnormal gaitMuscle twitchingAmnesiaSensitivity to lightSpeech problemsBladder pain or incontinenceFlushing (skin becoming red and warm)Fainting (syncope)Fast or slow heartbeatSkin rashUnusual excitement How Trazodone Impacts Sex When to Seek Medical Attention Stop taking this medicine and seek emergency medical attention if the following side effect occurs: Painful, prolonged erection of the penis. This condition, called priapism, can result in permanent damage to erectile tissues if not treated promptly.?? Black Box Warning Like all antidepressants, trazodone is required to carry a warning regarding the increased possibility of suicidal thinking or behavior in young adults (24 and under), adolescents, and children. Talk to your doctor right away if you or a family member is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Signs of Overdose Notify your doctor or poison control center immediately if you or a loved one have potentially overdosed on trazodone and show any of these symptoms:?? DrowsinessLoss of muscle coordinationNausea and vomitingA painful erection that does not go awayRespiratory arrestSeizuresSlower or faster heartbeat Withdrawal Symptoms As with other antidepressants, its important to not discontinue trazodone without your doctors approval and guidance. You will likely be put on a tapering schedule so that the medication has a chance to gradually work its way out of your system, decreasing your risk for unpleasant effects. Withdrawal symptoms that may occur, especially if you stop using trazodone suddenly, include:?? AnxietyAgitationSleep disturbances Other Rare but Serious Side Effects Serotonin syndrome, a serious, potentially life-threatening illness caused by too much serotonin in the body.??Hyponatremia, a low concentration of sodium in the blood.Abnormal bleeding, especially when combined with drugs that can irritate the stomach, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Essay on What is the Function of a Social Contract
What is the Function of a Social Contract? Philosophers have been concerned with the theories of a social contract for thousands of years. Plato mentions the concept in Crito and in Republic. These theories have stemmed from the concept of justice and for our society to be just. I will look at the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and finally with John Rawls after which a overall view into the function of a social contract can be derived as well as any problems with the theory(s). The basic concept of a social contract is for members of society to enter into a voluntary contract, which allows society to go from a state of nature to a state of civilisation. What is meant by a state of nature is quite similarâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Hobbes felt this was not important and what was more important was that fulfil the contract and ensure security to the society. John Locke adopted a similar standpoint as Hobbes in his theory of a social contract. He starts with the same original position of man in a state of nature where there is no common superior and all men are equal. This state gives man all the benefits of his own labour but Locke felt this situation was à ¡Ã ¥uncertain and constantly under threatà ¡Ã ¦. This threat is what Locke regards as a reason to move to a civil society. Like Hobbes, Locke regards this move as a voluntary act. This allows a person to enjoy the benefits of their labour and protection of their property. Although many people have an interest in preserving their personal property the question of how someone may consent to this is raised. Locke explained that if a person stayed in a state even for a little time that would account for consent in itself. This means that if a person is enjoying the benefits a state is providing they have automatically consented. Jean Jacques Rousseau had also theorised on social contract in his book the Social Contract. The main concept of Rousseauà ¡Ã ¦s theory was that à ¡Ã ¥each of us puts his person and all his power in common under the supreme direction of the general willà ¡Ã ¦. Rousseau also states that we cannot à ¡Ã ¥enjoy the rights citizenship while refusing toShow MoreRelatedThe Function of a Social Contract1676 Words à |à 7 PagesWhat is the Function of a Social Contract? Philosophers have been concerned with the theories of a social contract for thousands of years. Plato mentions the concept in Crito and in Republic. These theories have stemmed from the concept of justice and for our society to be just. I will look at the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and finally with John Rawls after which a overall view into the function of a social contract can be derived as well as any problems with the theory(s)Read MoreModern Liberalism and Political Policies1337 Words à |à 6 Pagesanotherââ¬â¢s, but these three philosophers have all staked their claims as to what man would be like, prior to the formation of the state. This is the State of Nature. Their notions on the social contract reflect their position on the political spectrum. These three philosophers also examine the purpose and function of the government to individuals of the state. Modern liberalism is the philosophical standpoint for an increase in social progress. Jean Jacques Rousseau provides a compelling account of modernRead MoreEssay on Role and Functions of Law960 Words à |à 4 PagesRole and Functions of Law The law is a delicate yet malleable set of rules and principles that are formed to suite the needs of those deciding its purpose. The role of law for business and society is to provide set rules and procedures that fall within general functions which reflect the position of the people. In various types of governments the law is adjusted to suite the needs of the dictator, its citizens or its elected body as seen fit. In a republic, such as the United States of AmericaRead MoreJohn Locke: Founding Father of Modern Era Liberalism1444 Words à |à 6 Pagesidentify which thinkerââ¬â¢s theory reflected modern era liberalism the most. For this paper I will be arguing that, John Locke provides a more compelling framework of modern era liberalism because of his perception of the state of nature, the social contract and the function of government. Before explaining how Lockeââ¬â¢s philosophy reflects modern liberalism, it is important to first understand the characteristics that make up modern liberalism. Modern era liberalism stresses the idea that individuals areRead MorePolitical Philosophy in the 17th Century947 Words à |à 4 Pageschange that has veered the world into a new state of affairs. Wars between countries and within countries were at a peak. What solutions were there to fix the mayhem? It was an answer that many philosophers were trying to figure out. This writing assignments intentions are not on the study of philosophy, but rather on the philosophical figures that have helped mold what the world is today. John Locke, a philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, a political philosopher, and Bishop Bossuet, a theologist andRead MoreAnalysis Of Thomas Hobbes Leviathan1008 Words à |à 5 Pagesare both negative and positive natures. People crave power and wealth by nature; but, if people are free to act on these desi res, a state can never acquire the protection necessary for peace. Peace, is a positive nature that encourages social contracts. These contracts will inevitably be breached if a government enables its citizens to act on their negative desires. The most essential right of nature is that of self-preservation. Self-preservation, or the ability for one to survive, is the core ofRead MorePower What Is Power Essay903 Words à |à 4 PagesReferences: Fook, J.. (2003). Social work, Critical theory and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (pp. 45- 55). This article focus on the definition of power what is power, examining the phenomenon of powerful and the powerless. This will help my essay in explaining that power is not owned, one canââ¬â¢t simply own power but it is rather given. Parada, H., Barnoff, L., Moffatt, K. M. Homan. (2011). Promoting Community Change: Making it happen in the real world. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education. (ppRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Social Contract1004 Words à |à 5 PagesSocial contract denotes that a government or sovereign body exists only to serve the will of the people because the people are the source of political power that is enjoyed by the entity. The people can choose to give or withdraw the power. Not all philosophers agree that the social contract creates rights and obligations; on the contrary, some believe that the social contract imposes restrictions that restrict a personââ¬â¢s natural rights. Individuals who live within the society gain protectionRead MoreThe Law Of Obligation Is A Private Law1672 Words à |à 7 Pagesheart of both Contract and Tort law, it is a pervasive phenomenon of our social life. Both Tort and Contract law protect the rights, and ââ¬Ëthat protection cannot be legitimately compromised to achieve the aim of just distributingââ¬â¢ . This proposition may be true i n the late 19th century, in the present time, however, the law of obligation has been ââ¬Ëbuilt on the law of its predecessors, manipulating it so as to avoid its more inconvenient consequences and adapting it piecemeal to social and economicRead MoreWeaknesses Of Social Contract Theory928 Words à |à 4 PagesSocial Contract theory is the idea that in the beginning people lived in the state of nature with no government and laws to regulate them. In order to overcome the issues involved in the state of nature, people entered into agreements to protect themselves and their properties. They did this by uniting, rescinding certain rights under the state of nature, and pledging themselves to an authority that will guarantee certain protections. They all agree to live together under those laws and create a
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Juveniles And The Juvenile Justice System - 1559 Words
Juveniles committing crimes is not a new issued being introduced to society; actually, it has been an issue for centuries. However, the big question is, should juveniles be tried in adult courts? Before answering, take into consideration every possible scenario that could have led them to commit the crime. For instance, were they the leader in the act? Did they participate in the crime? Was the juvenile even aware of what was taking place? Were they peer pressured? Did they have any other choice at the time? There are so many other questions we could consider when making a decision here. In addition, think about how they will be affected if tried as an adult and convicted. Let us remember, the United States has the Juvenile Justice System, which is solely for juvenile delinquents. This is supposed to protect them from receiving longer sentences, and harsh punishments, which is the opposite of adult courts. Also, the Juvenile Justice System is supposed to help rehabilitate the juvenile. Luckily, for juveniles, the ââ¬Å"court had recognized that even homicide does not warrant a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole if the offender is less than 18 years old at the time of the crimeâ⬠(Holt p.1395). However, in ââ¬Å"Nevada, Mississippi, and Utah, lawmakers now leave it up to the juvenile courts to decide whether to transfer a juvenile to adult courtâ⬠(Brown p. 21). Unfortunately, juveniles sent to adult prison suffer physically, mentally, and emotionally. With thatShow MoreRelatedThe Juvenile Justice System And Juveniles1663 Words à | à 7 Pagescriminal justice system and juveniles, there have been many landmark cases that have made a significant impact on the juvenile justice system. The cases arise from dealing with certain aspects that comes from handling juveniles entering the system. Since juveniles are very different from adults they have to deal with them a certain way and a case by case basis. The court cases concerning juveniles and the decisions that have come from them is what has made what the juvenile justice system is todayRead MoreJuvenile And Juvenile Justice System752 Words à |à 4 PagesThe juvenile justice system and criminal justice system also known as the adult justice system is two different systems. The juvenile justice system is children who are under the age of 18 years old. After the age of 18, it is considered to be an adult it will enter through the adult justice system. There ate states that allows youth to stay in the juvenile justice system from age 18 until 21. The main differe nces between the juvenile justice system and criminal justice system is rehabilitation andRead MoreThe Juvenile Justice System For Juveniles1397 Words à |à 6 Pageswere treated the same as adult criminals. If you are a young person under the age of 18 and you commit a crime, you will have your case heard in the juvenile justice system. The thing is that, it hasnââ¬â¢t always gone that way. The idea of a separate justice system for juveniles is just over one hundred years old (American Bar). Where did juvenile justice come from? The law was in the image of the common law of England. William Blackstone, Blackstoneââ¬â¢s Commentaries on the Laws of England, first publishedRead MoreJuvenile Justice And The Juvenile System4789 Words à |à 20 PagesJuvenile Justice Consultant When thinking of reforming the juvenile justice system one has to think; what can we do to make this better for everyone involve? There are some programs that can be implemented when trying to make a change in the juvenile system. The main thing is getting parents or the guardian more involved in the childââ¬â¢s whereabouts. Secondly the community where the youth will have a place to go and have something more constructive to do to keep them out of trouble. Law enforcementRead MoreJuvenile Crime And The Juvenile Justice System1278 Words à |à 6 PagesBryn Conley November 7, 2014 Juvenile Crime and the Juvenile Justice System in North Carolina: Informative Speech Specific Purpose Statement To inform my audience about the seriousness of juvenile crime and the problems that North Carolina faces when dealing with underage offenders. Introduction I. According to the Annual Summary Report done by the North Carolina Department of Justice and the State Bureau of Investigation, in 2012, approximately 36,000 juveniles were arrested in the state of NorthRead MoreJuvenile Offenders And The Juvenile Justice System950 Words à |à 4 Pages Since 1899 when the juvenile justice system was first created it has undergone quite a series of changes relative to how they go about the overall handling of juvenile offenders in the criminal justice system. In most states the only way for juveniles to be tried as adults is if they are over the age of 16 or if they have committed a violent crime such as rape or assault but recently many juveniles are being tried as adults for even far lesser crimes. It also has been well documented for a numberRead MoreThe Juvenile Justice System And Juvenile Offenders941 Words à |à 4 Pagesways in which the juvenile justice system responds to female offenders. Historically juvenile female offenders have been treated under status offense jurisdiction (Zahn et al., 2010, p. 10). United States Courts would exercise the principle of ââ¬Å"parens patriaeâ⬠to place the female in detention as a form of punishment for misbehavior (Sherman, 2012, pp. 1589-1590). This principle also remains prevalent as it pertains to how the juvenile justice system currently responds to juvenile female offendersRead MoreThe Juvenile Justice System1313 Words à |à 6 Pages Today s concept of the juvenile justice system is relatively new due to significant modifications in policy overtime. The justice system has been trying to figure out effective ways to treat juvenile criminal offenders successfully for years. The justice system did not always have a special category for juveniles and their crime. Juveniles was once treated as adults when they committed crimes and were subjected to harsh punishments. The juvenile court was the culmination of efforts of the positivistRead MoreJuvenile Justice Systems833 Words à |à 4 PagesIntroduction Juvenile crime is a term around the world that is difficult to pinpoint and although there are several definitions many fail to be concrete. There are many factors that play into sentencing juveniles or minors upon a crime committed. How old are they? Can they mentally form criminal intent? Are they old enough to no longer be treated as children? Some people would argue that a criminal is just that, regardless of age. Research on the other hand shows that juveniles have underdevelopedRead MoreThe Juvenile Justice System788 Words à |à 3 Pages The juvenile justice system was founded with the goal to serve the best interests of the child, with an understanding that youth possessed different needs than adults. Over the course of our semester we have come across various research studies that proves that the adult system is not well equipped to house and rehabilitate the delinquents. These studies have shown that more juveniles that are transferred to the criminal justice system ends up back in the system, which means the recidivism rate
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Causes of Young Homelessness and the Theory Behind It Free Essays
I have chosen this research topic in order to increase awareness of homelessness amongst young people of 16-24 years old. By raising awareness I hope also to put pressure on local people to be more helpful to them so that they feel less socially excluded. In brief, the term ââ¬Ëhomelessââ¬â¢ means anyone with no fixed abode or roof over their head. We will write a custom essay sample on The Causes of Young Homelessness and the Theory Behind It or any similar topic only for you Order Now The term covers rough or street sleepers, those living in temporary accommodation, people under threat of eviction, those ââ¬Ësofa surfingââ¬â¢ and so on. Legally, the state of ââ¬Ëhomelessnessââ¬â¢ is defined as ââ¬Å"having no suitable accommodation available to you, or being at risk of having no suitable accommodation available within the next 28 daysâ⬠(REFERENCE YEAR). The term now has a wider meaning: sleeping out in the cold is no longer the only face of homelessness. Those sleeping in shelters are also considered homeless. Individuals wandering from house to house seeking shelter from relatives and acquaintances are deemed homeless as well. Currently, a homeless person is someone who lacks a regular, safe place to reside. As a social class, the homeless are a disparate group with many different factors contributing to their homelessness. Researchers agree that ââ¬Ëpovertyââ¬â¢ is the common thread among homeless individuals (United Nations Centre for Human Settlement, 2000). However, there are different views on what causes poverty. Possible causes include substance abuse, sudden unemployment, mental illness and many other variables. In addition, poverty can either be caused by or be the cause of the mental anguish of homelessness (Centrepoint 2010). Homelessness in Young People: Demographics A distinction is drawn between statutory and non-statutory homeless. This distinction is defined by the 1985 Housing Act, using vulnerability as a criteria. Under this, most single people are not vulnerable, while families and pregnant women are defined as statutory homeless (Kemshall and Pritchard 1997). According to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), young women are more likely to be statutory homeless than are young men, whilst young men 18 years old and over are more likely to be non-statutory homeless. Statutory homeless young people are more unlikely to have an ethnic minority background in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland but within England, and particularly London, are more likely to have an ethnic minority background. In terms of age groups, 16 to 17 year old women are highly vulnerable. It is stated that in UK during the year 2006-7, up to 75,000 young people experienced homelessness (ukyouth.org [online] 2011). This figure includes 43,075 young people aged 16-24 who were statutorily homeless, at least 31,000 non-statutorily homeless young people using supporting people services during that same year, and other over-lapping figures including small numbers sleeping rough. The rate per 1,000 populations of homeless people differs across the UK. The region with the highest proportion is Scotland (15.1 per 1000), followed by Wales (8.2), England (4.9) and Northern Ireland (4.8). There was an increase in the number of homeless young people in the early 2000s following an extension of the priority need groups. However, on a positive note, there have been substantial reductions in England from 54,172 in 03/04 to 29,937 in 06/07 and in Wales, from 3,982 in 04/05 to 2,927 in 06/07. This has not, however, been matched by reductions in Scotland or Northern Ireland. There ar e also significant differences between homelessness in urban and rural areas (Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2008). The figures on youth homelessness can be deceptive. While the numbers of young homeless people sleeping rough in the UK on any given night are low, this does not indicate the extent to which many young people experience homelessness, as many need to sleep rough for short periods before securing temporary accommodation. Few sleep rough for an entire year, therefore the figures conceal the extent to which homelessness effects young people. JRF research also shows that young women are more likely to be statutorily homeless than young men, while young men over the age of 18 are more likely to be non-statutorily homeless (perhaps due to the definition being based on the notion of vulnerability). In addition, they suggest that many young homeless people are part of a couple and or have dependent children (Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2008). Homeless young people have a high level of vulnerability, especially so amongst the 16-17 age group within the UK. There are a number of risk factors which push people towards homelessness, including family violence, pregnancy, mental illness, and substance abuse (King and Wheeler 2006), and these factors also increase the vulnerability of the homeless. JRF research (2008) suggests that amongst those 16-17 years of age, 54% are suspended or excluded from school, 52% have anxiety, depression or other mental health problems, 47% ran away from home, 45% had family financial issues, 37% had a drug or alcohol problem, 39% were involved in antisocial behaviour or crime and 18% had spent time in care. Causes of Homelessness There is a link between a young personââ¬â¢s home background and risk of homelessness, with a number of risk factors including moving school frequently, being in care, child abuse, running away from or leaving home early, family conflict and relationships with parents (Ravenhill 2008). According to the JRF (2008), children from poorer socio-economic backgrounds are mostly at increased risk of homelessness. The JRF also suggest that of all the causes linked with homeless the most significant is ââ¬Ërelationship breakdownââ¬â¢, usually with parents or step-parents. For many of these young people, this breakdown often involves violence or abuse of some sort. These groups of young homeless often have much poorer health than other young people with mental health problems and substance misuse issues. A high minority of young homeless people have multiple needs. However, it is not clear whether the occurrence of complex needs is on the increase or whether agencies are now better at recognising a range of needs. Homelessness is therefore associated with a complex mix of problems faced by young people, with mental health problems and substance misuse problems particularly significant. Unsurprisingly, there is evidence that homelessness delays young peopleââ¬â¢s participation in employment, education or training, with many becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) after leaving their last settled home. (Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2008). In addition, the charity Crisis suggests that the length of time someone stays homeless can influence how long they are likely to continue to remain homeless for: that is, the longer someone is homeless, the more likely they are to remain homeless. This is because the longer a person is homeless, the more acclimatised he or she becomes to the lifestyle of homelessness, and the harder it becomes to make the transition to a life within a home (Crisis YEAR). The Guardian suggest that in addition to factors in family background, wider social issues also play a part (The Guardian YEAR). Homelessness is caused by factors which relate to the wider state of the economy and the housing market as well as those which are personal to the individual. Such personal causes are made worse by overcrowding, racism, living in deprived areas and discrimination. Whereas for some young people, the causes of homelessness are fairly straightforward and a function of their current personal situation, for example giving up an existing tenancy or a relationship breakdown, for others, the reason for them becoming homeless is more complex and issues from their personal background are compounded by socio-economic factors. This means that for young people with more complex situations homelessness is not just a housing problem as some of them have other difficulties and support needs such as physical and mental health problems, substance abuse, unemployment, histor ies of offending and chaotic lifestyles. If such young people become homeless through circumstance, they are likely to find it harder to deal with the trauma of homelessness and difficulties in accessing services when homeless. In addition, young people might find it harder to access structured support for homelessness, or prefer seeking advice and help from their friends and acquaintances (Robinson 2008). For statutory homeless young women, relationship breakdown is the main cause of homelessness, with violence as a common attribute. For example, relating to Hallââ¬â¢s interview with hostel youths, he stated that the reason for a boy he interviewed being homeless was due to relationship breakdown with his parents ââ¬ËRobby is 17 years old and left home only a few months ago, having fallen out with his parents; since then he has been sleeping on sofa at a friendââ¬â¢s houseââ¬â¢ (Hall, YEAR). The impact of these relationship breakdowns can include the start of mental health or drug or alcohol misuse problems, or the exacerbation of existing problems, difficulties in studying or working, and a feeling that their life is ââ¬Ëstaticââ¬â¢ (that they can not move forward with their lives in terms of being independent). In addition, homelessness is costly financially as it can lead to shortage of funds through job loss and increased living costs. A history of early childhood trauma, particularly mental, sexual and physical abuse (which occurs in mostly broken homes), is by far the most common attribute found among the young homeless and child abuse has been linked in research to homelessness (Oââ¬â¢Malley 1992). Abuse can take many forms, and abused youngsters trade home environments which feature alcohol and drug abuse, mixed with crime, poverty and violence for similar conditions on the streets. According to Whitbeck (2009), it is also possible to distinguish a category of ââ¬Ëthrowawaysââ¬â¢, young homeless people who are forced out of their homes by parents for a variety of reasons and for whom the parents have made no alternative care arrangements. The factors leading to young homelessness mentioned above (child abuse) still apply, with the added problems associated with forced removal from the home or family environment (ehow [online] YEAR). This group can be contrasted with runaways (Lee 2005), young people who run away either from home or from child protective services or foster homes. The demographics of a city can sometimes cause homelessness because when industries such as manufacturing move overseas, many local jobs go with them. This causes a wave of unemployment, and often a shortage of suitable employment which leads to the unemployed being unable to afford housing, provide for themselves or their loved ones. (eHow [online] YEAR). Since homelessness is such a common issue, almost every city, even within highly developed countries, have to deal with the problem, especially large metropolitan areas such as London. However there have never been enough resources available to deal with the different conditions that lead to homelessness, and this exacerbates the problem (eHow [online] YEAR) . Impact of Homelessness The impact of homelessness is an ongoing cause for concern. Young homeless people experience particularly high levels of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems, and are also more likely to cease formal education, training or employment. Young people describe their lives as being ââ¬Ëon holdââ¬â¢. The section above has demonstrated that young people facing homelessness come disproportionately from disadvantaged backgrounds in terms of both poverty and disrupted, and often traumatised, childhoods. Evidence also suggests that homelessness compounds these characteristics and experiences, and this is examined in more detail in this section. According to Ploegââ¬â¢s research (YEAR), young people who are homeless use coping mechanisms which include shoplifting, selling drugs or sex and begging as they need a means both to survive financially and to cope with homelessness mentally. However it is difficult to assess how they get themselves into this condition without looking at the causes and factors that lead to young individuals becoming homeless. As well as social and family problems, they may have existing issues with low self esteem and feelings of worthless. These have a deep emotional impact and may even drive them to suicide when compounded by a homeless situation. Above it has been shown that youths run away from home, or become homeless, for a wide and complex range of reasons including, for example, family life and stress. They may be getting physical or verbal abuse from their parent, possibly they are living with a lone parent who may be experiencing a hard time also and this may result in the expression of violent behaviour towards their child. Young homeless people, therefore, find themselves in many different circumstances. Some may just want to leave home to survive by themselves as they may not get on with their family: they may have family problems, such as parental divorce and or a step-parent moving in, which make it hard for them to adapt to new situations including bonding with a new ââ¬Ëmotherââ¬â¢ or ââ¬Ëfatherââ¬â¢. Other circumstances include teenage pregnancy, or they may have been told to leave by their parents or they may decide they want a place of their own so they would have to put their name on a waiting list or they are placed in a hostel or shelter until they can be provided with housing. Young women who canââ¬â¢t escape from their abusive boyfriends can go into a womenââ¬â¢s refuge if they have nowhere else they can go. All of these situations are very unfortunate and within the UK there are wide range of situations which influence young people to become homeless (Hallett 1993). Health wise, homelessness has been shown to impact negatively on most young peopleââ¬â¢s sense of emotional well-being: for example a 2009 survey revealed that the proportion of homeless 16ââ¬â17 year olds with current mental health problems could be nearly three times that of their peers in the general population, and also suggested that the experience of homelessness can contribute to poor mental health among young people. Homelessness is particularly linked to depression, with a variety of negative thought patterns including the feeling of stagnation described above. In addition some young homeless people may get angry at anyone around them for no reason. Issues of mental health play a part in leading homeless young people to become addicted to drugs or alcohol (Fitzpatrick, 2009). In addition, and according to a Stanford University study conducted in 1991, it was suggested that young street sleepers are more vulnerable to diseases in general, but particularly to venerea l disease, as they are far more likely to engage in prostitution as a means of funding. Many street youth homeless are gripped by a fear of institutional assistance, and worry that appealing to the authorities may result in their being returned to the home environment they left or being placed in the custodial care of a therapeutic foster home or group home (eHow.com [online] YEAR). To summarise, there are a number of factors which lead to homelessness, and they are complex in nature. The impact upon young people of homelessness is severe, and the relationship between homelessness and causal factors is two-way, with homelessness making some causes, including mental issues and drug abuse, worse. Government provision The 2002 Homelessness Act (Youth Justice Board [online] 2011) amends part 7 of the 1996 Housing Act, extending the category of priority need for housing and strengthening requirements placed on local authorities (LA). LA were required to carry out a range of new initiatives including reviewing homelessness in their area and developing a strategic overview including measures to prevent homelessness, provide accommodation for homeless and develop a sufficient support structure of homeless people (Youth Justice Board [online] 2011) There are some notable other features of the act. First, it sets out a requirement to provide housing to non-priority homeless people. Previously, Local Authorities were required to home only those local people who were in priority need. The act expanded LA provision to include non-priority cases, as long as they were not homeless by intent. The amendment was aimed primarily at areas where there was surplus housing stock (Homeless Link [online] 2011). In addition, the Act abolished the two year limit on the provision of temporary housing to priority groups. Now Local Authorities are required to provide housing to these groups until they find suitable alternative accommodation (Hester 2007). More generally, prior to the 2002 Act, if a Local Authority was satisfied that a person was homeless and fulfilled a number of other conditions, they had a duty to house them. This duty had a maximum length of 2 years, however, this time limit was abolished by the 2002 Act (Robson et al 2005).F inally, the Act strengthened the duty of the Local Authority to provide advice and assistance to the homeless, and initiated a more ââ¬Ësympatheticââ¬â¢ approach in which Local Authorities needed to be more proactive in supplying solutions to homelessness including taking preventative measures, considering all solutions including those provided by the private sector, and making constructive changes (Davis 2003). There have been, in addition, a number of more recent government attempts to make provision for homeless young people. For example, the National Youth Homelessness scheme was proposed as a result of the House of Lords judgment of Wednesday 20th of May 2009 in the case of R (on the application of G) (FC) (Appellant) v London Borough of Southwark (Respondents). It aims to help homeless youth and give them a future (Communities.gov.uk [online] 2011). The scheme attempts to co-ordinate provision for youth homelessness through the creation of a NYHS Youth Forum to look at what young people themselves think, the creation of 10 ââ¬Ëcentres of excellenceââ¬â¢ across England to help build local and national ways to share information, a programme of workshops and conferences, and the instigation of an ââ¬Ëaction learningââ¬â¢ approach to programmes to reflect upon research as it is carried out (St Basils [online] 2011) A homeless strategy was published in March 2005, called Sustainable Communities: settled homes; changing lives. This sets out aims including that of preventing young people from becoming homeless. The document recommends a partnership approach in which different bodies and community organisations and local people work together to support those young people who have been homeless in a multi-faceted, holistic approach which aims to help them to find out who they are and what they want from life in order to see the issues they need to overcome to get there. Amongst other things, the document incorporates a realisation that young people can become homeless for a wide range of often complex reasons. The Government therefore aimed to commit to decreasing homelessness for young people including promoting measures such as more accommodation provision to ensure their housing and wider support needs are met and managing the transition of young people between temporary and settled accommodati on to ensure continued access to the services they need (Fitzpatrick 2005). Wider Theoretical Perspectives on Homelessness Homelessness is a worldwide problem that urges many to question why this issue persists and what the best approach to solving it might be. While the majority of the public may have many different ways to view homelessness and the extent to which it affects individuals, economies, and whole societies, there are a number of theoretical issues deriving from sociology which should be taken into account.Sociologists have argued that the possibility of someone becoming homeless depends on conditions that include both society-based causes and personal problems. Personal problems such as substance abuse, mental illness or minimal education donââ¬â¢t necessarily lead to homelessness, as can be seen in the lives of those who have these problems and still have homes. When certain societal structures are present, personal problems are curable, making deprivation a last resort rather than an only resort. There are three common sociological perspectives on homelessness, the interactionist, functionalist and conflict based approaches. The interactionist perspective suggests that the homeless population as a whole is ostracized from other socio-economic groups because of exchanges that occur between homeless individuals and those in economic classes financially better off than homeless individuals. An interactionist sociologist might highlight the reluctance among some employers to hire individuals who do not possess any physical address and likely lack any academic or prior employment experience (Kornblum 2003). The interactionist approach also suggests looking at the subjectivity of the homeless person in order to gain a picture of his or her values and attitudes, to examine how these might contribute to his homeless situation (Hohm and Glynn 2002). A functionalist would suggest that many in the ranks of the homeless population actually can and do support themselves and, in most cases, are able to survive the hardship of daily life even if living a meagre existence. Such a perspective claims that homelessness amounts to little more than social infestation and therefore is a problem for the greater good of society as a whole (Kornblum 2003). A functionalist might also suggest that homelessness provides a solution to other problems in society, for example it creates a need for jobs providing welfare for the homeless (Hohm and Glynn 2002). Conflict theorists not consider homelessness, in itself, to be a problem. Instead they would say that capitalistic motives are being ââ¬Å"the problem.â⬠Such theorists would claim that the reason the homeless problem persists is not because of a homeless individualââ¬â¢s supposed reluctance to advance him or herself, but rather because of the capitalistic social classes that oppress those who cannot find a place to work or a physical address to call home. Therefore, when the oppressors deny employment to those who need employment, the economic-underclass victims will either rise up demonstrably or consider taking a more silent route, the latter of which, for the homeless, results in maintaining an existence of outcasts since they are socially excluded (Kornblum 2003). The problem of homelessness is seem as a function of conflict between social groups with opposing interests (Hohm and Glynn 2002). These three sociological perspectives provide a minor suggestion of how different types of sociologists would consider what is, to say the least, a troubling and complex social issue with differing solutions (Kornblum, 2003). Other Theoretical Approaches Other theories about homelessness and its causes suggest that the main causal factor combines problems in society with the individualââ¬â¢s situation. Symbolic interaction theory, for example, ââ¬Å"places the individual at the centre of analysis and looks at the way the construct, deconstruct and reconstruct themselves, their worlds and their own realityâ⬠(Ravenhill 2008). In other words, what subjective sense does the individual make of wider circumstances including minimum wage employment, lack of public assistance services and lack of mental health services. This contrasts with theories which state personal issues as the main cause. It should be kept in mind, especially since people generally class all homeless as the same and in permanent condition, that the category of ââ¬Ëhomelessââ¬â¢ people is actually divided by many theorists into three categories (Stivers 2011). One of which is the ââ¬Ëtransitionalââ¬â¢, those who have been through one incident of homelessness that lasted under 59 days. The second is ââ¬Ëepisodic, those who have had four to five incidents that total less than 266 days and the last is ââ¬Ëchronicââ¬â¢, those who have had two incidents totalling 650 days or more. Emergency events usually cause a person to enter at the transitional level. Individuals encountering episodic and chronic occurrences are dealing with a more complex set of life circumstances. Such a distinction allows analysts to assess the seriousness of the homeless condition (Tobin and Murphy 2011). Misconceptions Many of the theoretical perspectives upon homelessness are not available to the ââ¬Ëperson in the streetââ¬â¢, and consequently there are a number of misconceptions about the homeless. For example, few are aware of the extent to which the homeless suffer disorders such as schizophrenia, manic depression, bipolar disorder and other conditions, nor the extent to which they are inadequately treated for such conditions. Others, such as some Vietnam War veterans, have physical ailments such as a loss of limbs, hearing or eyesight that prevent them from obtaining or holding a job. These mental and physical disorders can be made worse by their incapability to pay medical bills, which prevents them from receiving the proper medical care. As well as a failure to understand how these conditions effect the homeless, members of ââ¬Ënormalââ¬â¢ society often simply view the homeless as substance abusers or there by choice. In fact this applies to only a small portion of the group with only 6% of the homeless being without homes by choice. The majority of homeless individuals are down on their luck due to job loss, divorce, illness, or other unfortunate life events. Few also realise the extent to which single mothers suffer from homelessness. Almost 25% of the homeless are children and substance abusers and single mothers with children and people with minimal job skills make-up nearly 50% of the homeless population. In the case of single mothers with children, a 1998 government study showed that 22% of these women left their previous residence because of domestic violence issues (Suite101 YEAR). Without having access to the full range of facts, many people in current society believe that homeless people could get themselves out of the homelessness situation easily, should they so desire. This assumption is true of only a small percentage of homeless people, and a large proportion of the homeless population are unable to move out of homelessness because they cann ot care for themselves alone, due to either a mental or physical disability. There are a lot of things society take for granted such as food, address and the ability to stay in touch with others using phones and the internet, but these things are usually lacked by the homeless as they struggle every minute of the day to obtain food. As they have no fixed address or telephone number to use as a contact, getting a job or a reference will be difficult for them. Unemployed homeless youths are assumed to be lazy, but in fact many want to work (Amrosino et al 2007). Even though they desire to work, they face severe obstructions including appearance and clothes. In addition to problems securing work, the homeless are often rejected entry to some restaurants where they may be seeking a meal or use of the toilet facilities. Homeless people who face mental illness issues and have a harder time accessing health care (eHow.com YEAR). Common misunderstandings such as those outlined above can lead to disadvantage for homeless people as well as stigmatisation and marginalisation. Homeless young people become pushed to one side within society, in part by ignorance of what the condition really means (Jones, 1997). Suggestions for Future Research As seen above, there has been significant research into homelessness, suggestions about the causes, theoretical frameworks and practical legislative solutions. However, there are still many areas which could be investigated in greater detail, particularly more consideration of the social and economic causes of homelessness, and particularly of the ways in which factors in a homeless personââ¬â¢s background are compounded by economic and social factors. In addition, there is a need to look at the ways in which the media show homelessness, and the extent to which it offers a true picture of the condition. Finally, there is a need for targeted studies to measure the costs of homelessness and the benefits of specific interventions, as well as the overall impact of homelessness upon the life of the young person. Evaluation and Suggestions for Practical Solutions to Homelessness Youth homelessness can be prevented in different ways. On the one hand, there can be attempts to look at what went wrong in the family, and offering support designed to strengthen and mend family bonds, for example mediation. However, such attempts must never leave young people in danger of abuse. Secondly, local authorities can provide a range of practical help for example through social workers. Such help can include help finding accommodation and claiming benefits (Robinson 2008). The 2002 Housing Act, it has been shown above, said that Local Authorities and other public bodies and voluntary organisations need to work together to help to prevent homelessness and to provide suitable and secure homes, along with any other type of support that might be required. There was also an aim for each region to provide a ââ¬Ëjoined upââ¬â¢ approach with one over-arching strategy designed with local needs in mind, and aiming to help to reduce the level of homelessness better. Some autho rities with planned strategies have been able to move further to help a wider range of homeless people, especially in areas where there are high levels of homelessness and demand for social housing. An effective local homelessness strategy can: provide information on the scale and nature of homelessness in the area; identify the additional accommodation and support required to meet those needs; identify the services needed to prevent homelessness occurring or recurring; identify the resources currently available to meet these needs; identify additional resources required; involve other public, voluntary and private agencies in partnership work; spread best practice among agencies so as to provide greater focus on those aged 18+ (eHow YEAR) It seems that this move has been at least partially successful. In December 2007, for the first time, the Community and Local Government announced a three-year funding settlement for homelessness work by local authorities. Wendy Wilson of the House of Commons stated that: ââ¬ËCouncils will receive at least ?150 million over three year to help them prevent and tackle homelessness in their areas and will receive almost ?50 million in homelessness grants next year ââ¬â a ?3 million increase on last year and a rise of 6%. All local authorities will receive at least ?30,000, with some receiving increases of 25% higher than last year Newham, Solihull and Sunderland.ââ¬â¢ Wilson concluded that the purpose of this funding settlement award is to help councils plan for the long-term to achieve even more for their money, and to help them meet targets to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation by 50% , with an aim of ending the use of bed and breakfasts for 16 to 17 year olds by 2010. Through this money-saving scheme, councils will be able to invest funding in expanding successful prevention schemes such as rent deposit and mediation services, which have already demonstrated the potential to contribute to huge falls in homelessness and making further reductions in rough sleeping by funding outreach and day centre services. Preventing homelessness could also include the provision of an even broader range of advice and support services to help people access social and privately rented housing; to help sustain tenancies and prevent eviction and to help with difficult family or relationship situations through mediation.. Evidence from both Germany and England has suggested that successful implementation of homelessness prevention interventions can contribute to overall reductions in homelessness (Duherty, 2008). Further practical suggestions concern the need for help for the mental conditions often experienced by the homeless. Many people in this situation do not get mental help, perhaps because of their financial situation, or perhaps because their mental problems mean they find it difficult to navigate the system offering them assistance. If such help is made more easily available, more homeless youths might get the treatment needed to mentally prepare them for a better life (Benjaminsen et al, 2009). In addition, it can be argued that there is a real need to educate the general public about homelessness to counteract negative associations and perhaps even get them involved in helping the homeless perhaps by organising fundraising activities. The more people know about homelessness, the better the chance of reducing or rehabilitating the homeless. Conclusion Homeless is a problem which effects the whole of the UK, but for which local solutions are most useful. It is impossible for one agency, government body or third-sector organisation to provide a one-size-fits-all solution. There is rather a need to use successful partnerships between all institutions and individuals who have a stake in the issue to solve the complex issues of homelessness (Bath and North East Somerset Council 2008). There is a need for local authorities and other agencies to go beyond simply providing accommodation for homeless people. If action is carried out early enough, it can prevent people becoming homeless in the first place.. Also, even if people are rehoused, they may become homeless again if they are not helped to sustain their home, so action is also needed to support the vulnerable over an extended period of time (London Borough of Merton 2003). Overall, there has been some positive moves by Government towards solving the homeless problem among young people, especially since the 2002 Housing Act. The policies set out here, especially the requirement that local authorities should take a more active role, seem to have helped address some of the issues, particularly the need to create a solution which is multi-faceted and which does not merely address the provision of accommodation. The strategic approach also seems to ensure that different agencies act together, not in conflict with each other. The removal of time limits for duty to the homeless and other situations has also been positive as it seems to recognise that homelessness is a problem which cannot always be solved quickly.There is, however, a pressing need to educate the general population about homelessness, and help them see it is a problem that effects ordinary people like themselves. While government can provide funding, other work needs to be taken on by ordinar y members of the public. Those who are aware of the issues might help by volunteering, while others how are less informed might be encouraged to donate useful goods or make a financial contribution (Suite101 YEAR) While emphasising the role members of the public can play, and while acknowledging that wider publicity about homeless issues, and particularly the way homelessness effects young people, would be very useful, there is always going to be a need for government to provide the funding so that adequate support services and other preventative measures can be carried out.Homeless has been an issue that has impacted the lives of many people for a long time, and it is one which occurs throughout the world, and particularly within the UK. However, it has been shown that certain strategies can help reduce the problem. Evaluation Working on this project taught me a great deal about the process of secondary research (research which looks at existing studies rather than carrying out investigations from scratch) (McGivern 2009).I developed a research question and associated research aims, and learned how to search most efficiently for data both electronically and through libraries. I accessed electronic databases through my university library, and refined the search by using keywords including ââ¬Ëhomelessnessââ¬â¢ youthââ¬â¢ ââ¬Ëyoung peopleââ¬â¢ ââ¬Ëaccommodation issuesââ¬â¢ ââ¬Ëhousing legislationââ¬â¢ and similar alone and in conjunction. I tried to keep the material used to articles written in the last ten years, but sometimes had to look at earlier material. I also tried to concentrate on material pertinent to the UK, but looked wider afield on occasion, particularly for the discussion on theory. In order to obtain a broader knowledge of the topic, I also visited the TUG Library Centre in Holloway where I got to read through some more reports and obtained some statistical report based on homeless young people but especially women. One important learning experience was taking a basic idea for a research project and refining it to a finished piece. This involved ââ¬Ëbrainstormingââ¬â¢ ideas around issues of homelessness, and organising the thoughts I came up with into a coherent and structured piece. I found discussion with fellow students and my tutors very helpful here, as they allowed me to talk through my ideas, reject ones which were off topic and refine my overall theme. I found that reflection played a key part in writing this assignment. I first made notes from different sources, and I would then let the ideas develop in my head over a few days. During this time I would have different ideas about new areas to investigate and things to omit from the final piece. Giving myself enough time to think through key themes was very important in researching and writing this piece. (5990 words) References Ambrosino, R, Ambrosino, R, Heffernan, J and Shuttlesworth, G (2007) Social Work and Social Welfare: An Introduction (6th edn.) Cengage Learning, Belmont CA. Bath and North East Somerset Council (2008) ââ¬ËBNES Homelessness Strategy 2008-2013ââ¬â¢, [online] (cited 25th May 2011), available from http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Housing/Homelessness%20Strategy%202008-2013.pdf Communities.gov.uk (2011) ââ¬ËNational Youth Homelessness Schemeââ¬â¢ [online] (cited 26th May 2011), available from http://www.communities.gov.uk/youthhomelessness Davis, C (2003) Housing associations ââ¬â rehousing women leaving domestic violence: new challenges and good practice, The Policy Press, Bristol. Hallett, G (1993) The New housing shortage: housing affordability in Europe and the USA, Routledge, 1993. Hester, M (2007) Making an impact: children and domestic violence : a reader, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London Hohm, C F and Glynn, J A (2002) Californiaââ¬â¢s social problems (2nd edn.), Pine Forge Press, Thousand Oaks CA Homeless Handbooks (2011) ââ¬ËHandbook: Recent Government Policy and Developmentââ¬â¢ [online] (cited 26th May 2011), available from http://handbooks.homeless.org.uk/hostels/theory/policyreview Kemshall, H and Pritchard, J (1997) ââ¬ËGood practice in risk assessment and risk management 2: protection, rights and responsibilities (2nd edn.)ââ¬â¢, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London King, T E and Wheeler, M B (2006) Medical management of vulnerable and underserved patients: principles, practice, and populations, McGraw-Hill Professional, 2006 USA Lee, S W (2005) Encyclopedia of school psychology, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, CA McGivern, Y (2009) The Practice of Market Research: An Introduction (3rd edn.), Pearson Education, Harlow Essex. Oââ¬â¢Malley, P (1992) Homelessness: New England and Beyond, Univ of Massachusetts Press, USA Ravenhill, M (2008) The culture of homelessness, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, Aldershot, Hants. Robinson, P (2008) Working with young homeless people, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London. Robson, G, Robson, P and Roberts, D (2005) A Practical Approach to Housing Law, Routledge, 2005 St. Basils (2011) ââ¬ËNational Youth Homelessness Schemeââ¬â¢ [online] (cited 26th May 2011), available from http://www.stbasils.org.uk/Corporate+and+partnerships/National+Youth+Homelessness+Scheme Stivers, L (2011) Disrupting Homelessness: Alternative Christian Approaches, Fortress Press, USA Tobin, K and Murphy, J (2011) Homelessness Comes to School, Corwin Press, USA UK Youth (2011) ââ¬Ëfacts and figuresââ¬â¢ [online] (cited 25th May 2011), available from http://www.ukyouth.org/whoweare/Facts+and+Figures United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (2000) ââ¬ËStrategies to combat homelessness: Series of publications in support of the Global Campaign for Secure Tenureââ¬â¢, UN-HABITAT. Whitbeck, L B (2009) Mental health and Emerging Adulthood among Homeless Young People, Psychology Press, NY, Hove Youth Justice Board (2002) ââ¬ËAccommodation Homelessness Act 2002ââ¬â¢, [online] (cited 25th May 2011), available from http://www.yjb.gov.uk/engb/practitioners/Accommodation/Legislationandresponsibilities/HomelessnessAct2002/ How to cite The Causes of Young Homelessness and the Theory Behind It, Essay examples
Friday, May 1, 2020
Crowdfunding Understanding Company Law
Question: Discuss about theCrowdfunding for Understanding Company Law. Answer: Introduction Crowdfunding is the practice of procuring funding for a project by bringing in monetary contributions from a number of sources. This form of crowd funding is considered to another angle to the crowdsourcing and it utilizes alternative finances. There are a number of sources through which the money can be collected. It could be through mail order, benefit events or through Internet mediated registries[1]. The modern crowdfunding process enables through three stakeholders. It is the original initiator of the project, individuals who support the ideology and an organization who moderates the parities to function as a unit to launch the ideal. [2]Crowd funding has been for entrepreneurial ventures for profit or is used for community oriented social projects that are not for profit. The purpose of this analysis is to understand the nuances or the process involved in crowdfunding by using examples for commercial and social context and explain the regulations involved in the concept of crowdfunding in Australia. There will be the use of one international jurisdiction approach to the regulations involved in crowdfunding. Crowdfunding and the Types The practice of raising funds is the integral aspect of crowdfunding. There are four kinds of crowdfunding that exists in the market place. The donation based crowdfunding is when there are donations collected for a social cause. In this the donors are not given anything in return. In reward based crowd funding these donations are made for expectations of a reward in return. Debt based crowdfunding is when the donations are made where the loan is expected to be returned with interest[3]. In the case of equity based crowd funding the parties are expected to gain equity or the loans are returns[4] Benefits and Issues The concept of crowdfunding is also known as crowd sourcing. This is currently a popular practice in Australia[5]. The venture capital is harder to find in the US markets. Benefits of crowdfunding websites and portals is that they can get a project to commence and operate[6]. The crowdfunding websites allows a healthy share or the funding that is processed through many portals. They charge transactional fees. They do not take any responsibility to the outcomes of the product. In 2013, Brisbane based game developers developed a newer game through the use of Kickstarter. The game had caused the renowned Sega company to close in Brisbane. They had procured funds that were more than their original objective. In NSW, there was the creation of Australian Based Organic Vodka. The reward for the investors was a bottle of vodka and a class depending on the amount of money they had invested. Protecting funders is an important factor that requires some form of governmental regulations. Investor protection is an important factor that needs to be considered.[7] More often than not the investors do not understand the financial markets and essentially contribute to t hese projects. In some cases, the crowd funding platforms offers the funders part ownership of the equity. Pozible is a Melbourne based company that is one of the important crowdfunding websites of the world. They do not take any responsibility if the project does not function. There are many success stories that have emerged from the crowdfunding. They claim to have 55% success rate when compared to rival US based company Kickstarter. These companies have enabled in garnering a lot of profits.[8] This is not the case at all times. In the case of ZionEyez funding, it was promised to the funders that for $150 USD they should be given a pair of eve glass that records videos. This was done through the Kickstarter portal. However, the original sources disappeared causing the funders considerable losses. In this process Kickstarter did not take any responsibility even though they take a percentage cut of the funding, plus the transaction fees for each pledge that has been made. The disclaimers in the websites are very confusing for the common people. In the Pozible site alone there are 9 pages of terms and conditions. There is a waiver at the end of the page that states that the company has no control over the safety or legality of the rewards. Essentially it means that the original sources can abscond with the money, pay back the funders or provide the services that was promised. The sites such as Pozible and Kickstarter argue that the occurrence of fraud is incredibly rare. It also states that that these portals will try to mediate but will take no responsibility for the actions. The safety checks about crowd funding are supposed to be done by the funders.[9] These portals and websites only takes a healthy cut from the transactions and the funding amount collected with no responsibility over the actions of the original sources. Legislation Regarding Crowdfunding Australian legislation has no specific legislations that governs crowd funding. The existing legislation is currently applied to the concept of crowdfunding model. In 2012, the ASIC (Australian Investments and Securities Commission) issued the guidelines on the legal implications of crowdfunding. Depending on the reward of the investors, crowdfunding I considered as a managed investment scheme or a provision of financial services. This is explained in the Corporation Act 2001 (Cth)[10]. In the case of managed investment scheme, there is offering of reward or incentive for investing in a company that is used to managed investment scheme. The funds that are contributed as pooled for a specific financial benefit purpose. This is covered in the Corporation act. There are onerous regulatory and compliance obligations in these cases. There is the operation of the responsible entity. These obligations are currently used to deter the SME from sourcing funds from crowdfunding. Financial service licensing is also considered in crowd funding. The ASIC has indicated that the online intermediary platforms are considered as issues of the financial products. These would require the online platforms to have Australian Financial Services License and they should also provide the investors with the disclosure documents[11]. The ASIC has recognized that the reward based crowdfunding can involve financial services. The Corporation act does not apply for the contribution in exchange of a possible return of the value. Fundraising is another aspect that is considered in this crowdfunding. This is covered in the 6D of the corporation act[12]. A company can prohibit from offering of securities to the funders unless there is proper disclosure. This is only exempt in certain conditions. 20/2/12 rule is one of the exemptions that is applied. In this the companies are allowed to raise up to 2 million dollars. Proprietary company limitation is another issues that is considered in the crowdfunding. In this case the proprietary company cannot have more than 50 non-employee shareholders. In these cases, crowdfunding will not be a viable or attractive option for the private companies[13]. It forces the private company to become public company with additional regulations, governance and disclosure. Currently the corporation act imposes a number of restrictions on equity based crowdfunding. There has also been discussion of the securities regulations in crowdfunding in Australia. Comparison with United States In the United States there is Regulation Crowdfunding. In this the entrepreneurs with a business plan can raise between a hundred thousand dollars to 1 million over a period of 1 year. If the earnings of a person are less than 200000$ then they could buy stock in a public company or donate to a company such as Kickstarter. The US securities and Exchange commission and FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) will lessor the investors with less than 100000$ annual income to invest in amount greater than 2000$ to become the crowdfunding issuer.[14] Entrepreneurs can enlist themselves in the Reg CF offering and the investors are allowed to but through the portals that has been approved through FINRA. This means that the underserved entrepreneurs and businesses can raise capital through massive crowdfunding. The businesses and investors needs to understand the SEC compliance and legal considerations to the financial limitations, state regulations to name a few. In the Reg CF it is importnat to understand that the crowdfunding is not blank checks. There should be a clear business plan. IN states such as Indiana or Michigan there are state mandated rules. Bad actors are also defined in the regulation Reg CFThere are also advertising and marketing restrictions. In this the Reg A+ offering promotes the online marketing and social media advertising. Social media advertising cannot explain the factual information that is required to make decisions. Hence there is a need for a crowdfunding portal or dealer site to explain the detailed terms of the agreement. There is explanation of the advertising and marketing restrictions of Title 111.[15] The crowd funding portals should have a due diligence done to explain their disclosure. When comparing the process and restrictions in crowdfunding process of Australia and United States there are some considerable differences. There is no real legislative framework in Australia to explain the nuances of the crowdfunding. The SEC of United states has far more regulations and oversights[16]. In the Australian government this needs to be implemented. There should be a comprehensive policy regarding the due diligence of the portals, governmental interventions and public policy to ensure that the people are protected against the bad actors in the society. However, it is important to ensure that the regulations do not stifle the growth of the company owing to excessive regulations. There is a need for a comprehensive crowdfunding policy in Australia[17]. It has been considered that the new government would develop a policy catering to these requirements. Conclusion Crowdfunding operates on the paradigm that there many sources can contribute towards a business prospective. This concept of crowdfunding has been gaining prominence in the current times. In some of the crowdfunding portals there is a disclaimer notice that prevents the companies from being liable to the damages of the funder in cases where they are cheated by the original sources. There is a need to have oversight and regulations over these activities. The advent of social media and crowd funding portals are not regulated based on the newer dynamics. There is still the following of the older laws and regulations. In the case of United States there are more regulations and when framing the legislations for newer trends in Crowdfunding certain aspects can be used by the Australian government. Prevention of deceptive ads, due diligence should be undertaken by the portals that promote a company. It is expected that the newer government will bring a comprehensive reform in to crowdfundin g. 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