Over the past month, we’ve seen a series of significant political events: the first budget from a Labour government in 14 years, a new Conservative party leader, the Chris Kaba verdict, and a familiar face re-elected as U.S. president. These events have sparked endless conversations, hand-wringing, and even fear about what they signify. While we share our frustrations within our echo chambers, venting about those in power and their repeated failure to do what we see as “right,” many of us still hold onto the belief that if the right government were in place, policy changes would improve our lives—that they would finally enact solutions and spend public money in ways that serve everyone’s best interests.
But if policy change is truly the solution, then ask yourself: Can you think of a policy in your lifetime that has made things significantly better? Some might point to the Race Relations Act of 1965, yet discrimination persists. And often, the perception that things are “better” leads to a collective apathy. We’ve all heard the tale of the frog that sits in water as it slowly heats up—by the time it realises the danger, it’s too late to jump out. Are we, too, sitting in that warm water, mistaking minor improvements for real change?
The reality is that policies often address symptoms rather than root causes. Like many so-called “solutions,” they can bring some improvement to specific issues, but rarely address the underlying problem. Take the Winter Fuel Payment as an example. On the surface, it seems to solve a clear issue: energy bills and the cost of living have risen sharply, and many pensioners struggle to afford heating. To help, the government provides extra money to pensioners in the winter months so they can keep their homes warm and stay safe.
However, the new Labour government has revised this policy. Rather than automatically granting it to all pensioners, it will now be means-tested, with only the poorest pensioners qualifying for support. The decision has sparked an outcry: Why reduce support for the vulnerable? And what about those just above the income threshold who are still struggling? This approach doesn’t address the root issues behind rising costs; it simply shifts the burden, leaving gaps in support and deepening a cycle of piecemeal, symptom-focused policy.
The Deficit Ideology Behind Individual Solutions
Policies like the Winter Fuel Payment—and now the move to means-testing—reveal a deeper issue rooted in deficit ideology. This perspective frames social problems as personal shortcomings rather than symptoms of systemic inequality. In this view, pensioners who struggle to afford heating are seen as needing extra support because of their individual circumstances, rather than because of high energy costs and inadequate pensions. By focusing on “solutions” like a payment only for the “deserving poor,” the government reinforces a narrative that places responsibility on individuals to meet their basic needs—while leaving the broken systems that create those needs untouched.
Interestingly, groups like Unite, the Green Party, and, even Labour have proposed systemic changes to address these issues. But deficit ideology keeps our attention narrowly focused on “fixing” those who struggle, rather than questioning why so many are in need in the first place. This mindset only tackles symptoms, not causes, allowing cycles of disadvantage to continue.
And yet, many of us still cling to the hope that if the “right” people were in power, things would be different. But is this hope stopping us from demanding the deeper change that’s actually needed?
The Education System: Symptom-Focused Solutions
We see a similar narrative in education. Schools are widely recognised as underfunded, with numerous issues that many believe policy can fix: exclusion rates are rising, young people’s mental health is worsening, and school refusal is becoming more common. The prevailing logic suggests that, with the “right” policies and sufficient government funding, these problems could be solved; young people wouldn’t need to be excluded, attendance would improve, and mental health outcomes would be better.
But will policy change alone actually lead to these changes?
At Class 13, we believe that policy isn’t the solution—and here’s why:
- Policy doesn’t address systemic problems; it only tackles immediate needs.
- This focus on immediate needs is grounded in a view that individuals are the problem.
- Policies are often shaped by self-interest.
- Policy often serves to maintain existing power structures.
In addition to deficit ideology driving the focus of policy, organisations frequently advocate for policies that benefit their specific mission rather than addressing the root issues. For instance, mental health charities argue for more mental health funding. It’s a bit like Goodyear or Dunlop proposing legislation to increase the legal limit on tyre treads—it primarily serves their interests, rather than society as a whole. Furthermore, policies are typically built with political interests in mind, which means they are continually reformed or replaced every few years oscillating around the same deficit assumptions. Therefore policies are rarely aimed at upsetting the status quo; rather, they’re designed to “manage” issues without fundamentally challenging the underlying inequities.
And let’s not forget: there’s no policy that explicitly directs schools to be punitive toward young people—Ofsted doesn’t tell schools to restrict young people’s access to bathrooms—yet deficit ideology means that’s often how policies are implemented.
Moving Beyond Policy: A Call for Real Systemic Change
Policy change will not fix these entrenched problems, “just like a chicken can’t lay a duck egg” (Malcolm X).Real change requires us to look beyond short-term policy fixes and focus instead on dismantling the structural inequalities that create these issues in the first place. “Now it’s time to do something ourselves,” (Mangrove 9) to reconsider how we approach solutions in education, mental health, and social support.
At Class 13, we believe that community-driven, long-term change is the only way forward. Rather than continuing to focus on “fixing” individuals, we must shift our energy toward transforming the systems that perpetuate inequality. This means involving those directly affected—young people, parents, educators, and community leaders—in crafting solutions that genuinely address root causes rather than providing temporary relief.
Here’s where you come in: We as educators, youth workers, and advocates need to reflect on our roles within these systems. Are you sitting in the water whilst it slowly heats up, passively accepting policy changes and hoping for that one magical policy that will solve everything? Or are you ready to hop out and push beyond the surface, challenging the systems themselves?
We invite you to join us in rethinking what education can look like when it’s rooted in equity, inclusion, and systemic transformation. Share your voice, question the status quo, and join a community that is committed to creating genuine change. Together, let’s build an environment that values each young person—not by how well they conform, but by who they are.
