Policy influence and enactment

Randall, V, Mackintosh, C and Durden-Myers, L ORCID: 0000-0001-7705-1138 (2026) 'Policy influence and enactment.' In: Durden-Myers, L, ed. Routledge handbook of physical literacy. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 404-414. ISBN 9781032703336 (Forthcoming)

Abstract

This chapter explores the critical intersection of policy influence and the implementation of physical literacy (PL) frameworks across health, education, sport, and recreation. It argues that while PL is gaining traction and being integrated into national curricula and international discussions, its full potential can be fragmented without careful, interdisciplinary policy enactment. The authors highlight policy as a crucial driver for coherence, scale, and impact. Through case studies, the chapter illustrates how PL translates from theory into policy and then into practice. It addresses the challenges of influencing policy, including navigating political, ideological, and contextual factors, as well as the resistance from policymakers who often prioritise tangible metrics over the conceptual richness of PL. The chapter also views policy as a dynamic, co-constructed process where interpretation and reinterpretation are inherent during implementation. Strategies to overcome policy inertia are proposed, such as aligning PL with existing priorities, presenting practical applications, acknowledging current policy dimensions while adapting to new directions, and maintaining sustained engagement. A case study from Sport England’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement for England is presented, showcasing its framework and resources (THRIVE principles) for translating PL into practice across various sectors, emphasising a participatory, co-constructed, and ethical approach to policy enactment.

Item Type:	Book Chapter or Section
Divisions:	School of Education
Related URLs:	https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-Hand...
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2026 16:25
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2026 16:25
URN:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17710

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