research report

Evidence exchange: learning from social policy across the UK

Report that considers evidence from a survey of almost 500 policy makers and practitioners on how evidence is currently used, demand for more and better evidence and levels of interest in learning more from their counterparts in other parts of the UK.

The recent move to establish a series of thematic What Works Centres, including one in Scotland in 2014, offers a rare opportunity to improve the quality of evidence available.

Being human: a human rights based approach to health and social care in Scotland

Explores human rights in the context of health and social care with intention of stimulating discussion and adding to the existing body of work on this agenda. The report highlights highlight the significant work done by the Independent Living Movement who have led much of this discourse. Human rights have also been a key tenet of the mental health user movement and of both the learning disability and dementia agendas.

Exploring the relationships between evidence and innovation in the context of Scotland’s social services

Report that uses theoretical, empirical and practice literatures and case studies to reflect on the links between evidence and innovation in the context of Scotland's social services. It bridges two of the core work streams at The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS); evidence-informed practice and innovation and improvement.

Modelling social care complexity: the potential of System Dynamics

Review that introduces one approach to modelling and simulation, System Dynamics, which can bring potential benefits and insights. Examples of its use in the health sector are cited, and its possible relevance to social care discussed.

The review introduces some generic building blocks for representing populations, services, human resources, and finance, and outlines a possible methodology, group model building, as an approach that uses simulation to enhance thinking and learning.

Community and voluntary services in the age of austerity

Report that lays bare the impact of austerity on services provided by the community and voluntary sector and on the workers for whom providing a service is not just a job, but part of a deep personal commitment to the people they support.

It is a wake-up call for politicians and society at large that workers in the community sector are approaching crisis point, and it is time to take notice.

Impact of 'virtual wards; on hospital use: a research study using propensity matched controls and a cost analysis

Study that assesses the extent to which multidisciplinary case management in the form of virtual wards led to changes in the use of health care and social care by patients at high predicted risk of future unplanned hospital admission.

The primary aim was to determine whether virtual wards have led to changes in rates of unplanned hospital admission compared to matched controls, and if so at what cost. The secondary aims were to assess the impact of the intervention on rates of A&E attendance, social care provision, GP practice visits, and the use of community health services.

Becoming a 'Boundary Spanner' through practitioner-research: PROP contribution story 1

Report that details the impacts of the PROP project on the practitioners and organisations involved. It focuses on the activities undertaken to learn about and 'do' research, as well the challenges and enablers encountered along the way.

It suggests that taking part in PROP allowed practitioners to become 'Boundary Spanners' between research and practice.