literature reviews

Practitioner research in social services: a literature review

This report was commissioned by IRISS (Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services) in 2008. Its aim was to establish a wider context for practitioner research and to explore its impact on practice. It identifies two distinct forms of literature. First, there is literature that conceptualises, theorises, researches or evaluates practitioner research. Secondly, there is literature that is practitioner research. The review considers both forms and draws together a series of questions that emerge.

Early years education: perspectives from a review of the international literature

Review to gather together, describe and comment on international evidence on the educational experiences offered to young children. It was commissioned by the Scottish Executive Education Department at a time when the existing curriculum guidance (A Curriculum Framework for Children 3 to 5, SCCC, 1999) was under review and a national process of educational reform for children aged 3-18 was under way.

The effectiveness of interventions to address health inequalities in the early years: a review of relevant literature

Review prepared to summarise the relevant evidence base and advise policy colleagues of the known effectiveness of specific early years health interventions.

The review covers the following areas: pregnancy at a young age; maternal and foetal health during pregnancy; maternal and child nutrition and physical and mental health; child development and early education; parenting in the early years; vulnerable groups and longer term impacts.

The experiences of fostering and adoption processes - the views of children and young people: literature review and gap analysis

Literature review that aims to identify the existing evidence in relation to children and young people’s views of the processes, and to identify any gaps. At the time of publication, the Government has released the Adoption Action Plan (DfE, 2012) with measures designed to reduce delays in the adoption process.

The views and experiences of children already in the care system will be vital in helping to ensure that changes to current systems meet their individual needs and improve their life chances.

SCIE report 26: restraint in care homes for older people: a review of selected literature

Staff in care homes for older people can be confused as to what constitutes restraint, and unsure how to balance their responsibilities to residents with the rights of residents to make their own decisions. This report is based on a selection of literature that addresses these questions, as well as considering how, when and why restraint is used. Report published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in October 2009.

The impacts of short break provision on disabled children and families: an international literature review

There are widespread assumptions about the potentially beneficial impact of short breaks on family carers and disabled children, including reduced carer stress and an increased capacity for family carers to continue caring, and increased child enjoyment of a wider range of social opportunities. This review aims to systematically evaluate the existing international research evidence concerning the impact of short breaks, to determine where there is robust evidence for the impact of short breaks on families with a disabled child and where more evidence is needed.

Making a break : developing methods for measuring the impact of respite services

Report of a study which assessed the role of respite care for various groups including children with complex needs, adults with learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia sufferers and frail elderly people. It also identified the most appropriate outcome measures for use with these groups in the evaluation of respite care.

'Extra care' housing and people with dementia: a scoping review of the literature 1998-2008

This literature review examines the evidence relating to people with dementia living in extra care housing, commissioned by the Housing and Dementia Research Consortium (HDRC) in November 2008. Key aims were to identify recent literature with a focus on evidence relating to the following: design and use of the built environment; facilities, furnishings and equipment; care, support and therapeutic services; organisation and management; outcomes in relation to health, wellbeing, policy and cost.