qualifications

Providing tailored one-to-one support to help people back into work has been central to the UK Government's reform of the welfare system. This report argues that a new examination is needed on the role of personal advisers. The report is based on focus groups with service users, in-depth interviews with advisers, surveys of personal advisers and employment providers and a review of the literature. Qualitative analysis is presented to show changes in the ratio of Job Centre Plus advisers to the number of interviews they conducted since the recession began.

Publication presenting findings from a range of statistical information to form an overall picture of demand for, supply of and outcomes from the social care workforce.

Paper highlighting the 'skills paradox' in the UK whereby those lacking basic skills are least likely to participate in formal learning. It identifies policies which can help rectify this trend and argues for a coherent skills strategy which takes equally into account the labour market, the training system and people's everyday lives.

This project shines a spotlight on the social work qualifying degrees in Scotland with a particular emphasis on the relationship between the SiSWE and the SCQF. It seeks to understand how these two frameworks align to support improved standards of student attainment at a time when the profession has moved from a diploma to degree level qualification.

Publication containing a series of case studies designed to show organisations how investing in learning in the workplace can lead to improved services.

Paper assessing and discussing the position of adult skills training in England in the context of the creation of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and the continuation of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It argues that giving responsibility for funding adult skills training to the DIUS risks adult skills being left behind by higher education.

Report investigating social networks as a factor in labour market proximity and likelihood of gaining sustained employment. Qualitative methods were used to explore these networks and glean new knowledge of processes underpinning people's participation in employment. The principal aim of the research was to provide employability agencies with a better understanding of how to support and advise clients in a holistic manner.

Report presenting statistics on childcare centres in Scotland registered with the Care Commission and childcare centre staff.

The Key Capabilities (KC) in Child Care and Protection are designed to allow students within social work degree programmes to map their specific learning in this area whilst achieving the more generic Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE). The KCs further allow social work students to evidence their learning in child care and protection by their progress being assessed at the mid and end points of the programme.

Document setting out the national minimum standards expected of domiciliary care agencies in England to ensure good quality personal care and support for people while living in their own home in the community.