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Evidence-based policy and practice increasingly demands the use of research as a key tool to improve practice. However, little research can be directly applied to practice, many practitioners aren't equipped to digest research and appropriate support systems are lacking. What is needed is a better understanding of the relationship between social care research and the work of social care practitioners, including what organisational structures are needed to enable the use of research.

The Growing Up in Scotland study (GUS) is a longitudinal research project aimed at tracking the lives of a cohort of Scottish. Its aim is to provide information to support policy-making, but it is also intended to be a broader resource that can be drawn on by academics, voluntary sector organisations and other interested parties. Focusing initially on a cohort of 5,217 children aged 0-1 years old and a cohort of 2,859 children aged 2-3 years old, the first wave of fieldwork began in April 2005.

This short training scenario was originally used in the context of introductory child protection training. It gives brief information from which participants are asked to identify what they are concerned about and what they would do next. Concerns have been raised about John by his Scout leader.

This summary of the 2007/08 annual report presents evidence from the first full year of inspection and regulation undertaken by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, which came into being in April 2007. The report covers the period from July 2007 to August 2008 and sets out findings from childcare, children’s social care, and education and skills provision for learners of all ages.

This study of home supervision conducted from 2000-2002 was commissioned by the Scottish Executive. The research team obtained data from social work case records; reporters; panel members; teachers; social workers; families; a national data set of children on home supervision; and key informants in local authorities. The overall aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of home supervision in promoting beneficial changes in the life of the child.

This framework complements the Early Years Framework, and Equally Well, the report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Health Inequalities, all of which taken together form a coherent approach to addressing disadvantage in Scotland. This framework builds on the good work already underway across Scotland and illustrates progress with actions in support of our shared objectives.

Report of a study which evaluated the evidence for the effectiveness of family-based support of early learning in improving outcomes for children.

Pack containing programme and application details for Inspiring Communities grants, a UK Government initiative to create up to fifteen neighbourhood partnerships which will deliver a programme of activities to engage young people and help them work towards attainable goals and improve their educational performance.

This learning object is one of a set of exercises and activities taken from the book 'Modern Social Work Practice' written by Mark Doel and Steven Shardlow. The meeting point of research and practice is one of the most fraught locations on the social work map. All too often, practitioners complain that research findings never tell them what they do not already know are matched by researchers' criticisms that practice is based on professional folk lore.

This is an interactive learning activity which allows for greater flexibility than a traditional role play. In this activity, participants have the opportunity to ‘act out’ their understanding of what happens in a Case Conference, based on their existing level of knowledge and experience. For ‘first timers’ this will be an introductory experience. This task last approximately 60-90 minutes and is suitable for groups of 10 to 20. It is aimed at newly qualified social workers or as part of basic child protection training.