What roles can citizens play in policy shaping?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can give examples of ways citizens can support policy shaping in the UK.
Key learning points
- Policies are aimed to address issues such as healthcare.
- Policies are shaped through proposals, debates and consultations.
- Citizens shape policies directly by voting and protesting.
- Citizens shape policies indirectly by petitions and participating in consultations.
Keywords
Policies - courses of action or goals that people plan to carry out or are in the process of carrying out
Lobbying - when an individual or a group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign; lobbying can be done in person, by sending letters and emails or via social media
Common misconception
If a petition gets over 100,000 signatures and is debated in Parliament, it means the law will definitely change.
In the UK, Parliament agrees to debate any petition that gets over 100,000 signatures, but the decision to change a policy or create a new law is still up to the Government.
Teacher tip
For indirect methods choose a real world example, such as a petition or campaign, and guide pupils to explore each stage of the process. Support them to analyse each stage so they can review where change and influence occurs throughout.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is one way citizens can directly influence policy?
Q2.Which of the following best describes direct democracy?
Q3.In a direct democracy, people help shape decisions by on key issues.
Q4.Which of these is an example of a popular initiative?
Q5.Which country is best known for using direct democracy regularly?
Q6.Match the correct term to its definition.
a system where citizens elect representatives to make laws & decisions
a general vote by the electorate on a specific issue
a form of government where elected representatives make decisions
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a policy?
Q2.How does the UK Government shape policies?
Q3.Match the term to its definition.
meeting with politicians to persuade them on an issue
a formal written request signed by people to show support for a cause
when the Government seeks the public's view before making decisions
a public gathering or protest to express strong views on an issue
Q4.Citizens can shape policies by signing petitions or attending public consultations.
Q5.Which statement is correct about petitions in the UK?
Q6.Which of the following is a direct method for citizens to shape policies?
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What roles can citizens play in policy shaping?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What roles can citizens play in policy shaping?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How can politicians involve citizens in direct decision making? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.