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SCIE report 65: early intervention: decision-making in local authority children’s services

This is a study of local authority decision-making in respect to long-term decision making and early intervention services. The study seeks to gain a better understanding of the factors that facilitate and hinder delivery of improved outcomes for children and families over the longer-term. This report synthesises the data gathered from: a literature review; 30 telephone interviews with senior officers and members in local authorities in England; and feedback from 49 subject matter experts attending five regional events.

SCIE report 63: Improving personal budgets for older people: a research overview

This short report is an evidence overview of key pieces of UK research between 2007 and 2012, which focused on the implementation and uptake of personal budgets and direct payments for older people (including those with dementia) in England. The report was published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in January 2013. It is not a systematic research review or an exhaustive examination of published research on the topic.

A little break would be nice: a report on the respite needs of carers of adults with a learning disability living in the family home

The overall aim of our inquiry was to examine respite provision in Clackmannanshire for carers of adults with learning disabilities living in the family home and to look at examples of good practice in other areas. For the purpose of our study we defined respite care as short-term care that helps a family take a break from the daily routine and stress. It can be provided in the family home or in a variety of out-of-home settings and involve either time apart or time together with extra support.

Using vouchers to increase access to short breaks: findings of pilot study Falkirk Council

This pilot project was set up by Falkirk Council to determine whether the use of vouchers for short breaks could help to address the low uptake of short breaks among people with severe and enduring mental illness and their carers, and also to provide an alternative to Direct Payments. The project was developed in response to:

Engaging with men in social care: a good practice guide

Sixteen page guide that offers strategies for engaging with men in, or attached to, families in which a child is at risk or may become so.

It has been developed from a two-year project (2011-2013) in the UK, led by the Fatherhood Institute in partnership with the Family Rights Group and funded by the Department for Education's Voluntary and Community Sector Grant.

The purpose of the project was to support local authority safeguarding services to engage more effectively with fathers and other men in families, in order to reduce risks to children.