Government Departments

The following government departments are especially useful for applied social science students:

• Department for Education (DfE) The department responsible for all aspects of policy affecting children and young people.
• Department of Health The department responsible for policies and legislation affecting health and care.
• Home Office The lead government department for immigration, drugs policy, crime, counter-terrorism and police.
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) The department responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy.
• Ministry of Justice The department responible for protecting the public and reducing offending and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system.

Agencies and Public Bodies

• Office of the Children's Commissioner promotes the rights, views and interests of children in policies and decisions affecting their lives. It particularly represents children who are vulnerable or who find it hard to make their views known.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.
• Her Majesty's Prison Service Agency which keeps those sentenced to prison in custody and also helps them lead law-abiding and useful lives, both while they are in prison and after they are released.
• Office of the Public Guardian protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance.
• The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) looks after the interests of children involved in family proceedings.
• Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales.