innovation and improvement
The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) has three programmes through which it delivers its work: evidence-informed practice, innovation and improvement, and knowledge media. This is a research paper, which examines attitudes, approaches, use and barriers to innovation and improvement and evidence-informed practice in the sector, which could be used as a baseline for future research to track and monitor attitudinal change.
Paper that is an overview of an analysis of the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Client Access Strategies (Access Strategies) in Australia, a requirement of service providers funded by the Family Support Program (FSP).
Organisations were asked to document and implement the steps they would take to improve service accessibility and responsiveness for vulnerable and disadvantaged families, including Indigenous families.
Publications section of Nesta website, which contains research on how innovation works best in the UK and how policy can best support it.
Study that explored the role of place-based leadership in tackling social exclusion, drawing directly on the experience of three innovative cities – Bristol and Swindon in the UK, and Enschede in The Netherlands – to generate new insights into radical changes to public services.
Paper that explores territorial innovation models (TIMs) and territorial knowledge dynamics (TKDs) as ideal-typical ways of thinking about economic development, innovation and learning.
Using the UK as a case study, it explores their implications for the future direction of national (and European) education and skills policies in the context of the so-called knowledge-based economy (KBE).
Paper that reviews the prevailing approaches and attitudes to risk-taking across the four nations of the UK; considers current and likely future regulatory responses regarding this, drawing out similarities and differences and implications for these; and highlights potential areas for shared learning.
Paper that considers the debate around risk and regulation and the ideological terms it is couched in; demonstrates that the demand that ‘something must be done’ can lead to demands for both more and less regulation; and argues that JRF could develop a more rational approach to risk and regulation, especially for the social care world.
A series of booklets produced on the topic of innovation in social services in Scotland.
They are designed to help individuals and organisations think differently and more creatively about providing services, as well as manage risk more effectively.
The titles include:
- Embracing change
- Balancing innovation and risk in social services
- How do you create the right conditions for innovation?
- Developing a framework for innovation
- Rising to the challenge: where can ideas come from?
Report commissioned by Scope that is informed by the ideas and reflections of disabled people and the actions that commissioners and providers are taking.
It argues that by focusing on innovation as a force for social change, local authorities and the voluntary sector can together improve the lives of disabled people and their families.
It celebrates social innovation in local services, showcasing and sharing ideas that better enable disabled people to lead social change.

