Paper that aims to look at the potential of research methodologies to test a social policy intervention or social service models. It takes a particular interest in the evaluation of cost- effectiveness, impact and transferability. Research evidence is absolutely vital for social work, yet there are barriers at the interface between research and practice:
Ecosynergy Group, a research for development centre, has partnered with the Fast Track Inclusion Trust to produce a number of peer-learning resources based on applied research projects conducted in New Zealand.
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.
A Danish-based cross-ministerial innovation unit which involves citizens and businesses in developing new solutions for the public sector. It is also a neutral zone for inspiring creativity, innovation and collaboration.
Paper that is an overview of an analysis of the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Client Access Strategies (Access Strategies) in Australia, a requirement of service providers funded by the Family Support Program (FSP).
Organisations were asked to document and implement the steps they would take to improve service accessibility and responsiveness for vulnerable and disadvantaged families, including Indigenous families.
Paper that starts by introducing prevention, outlining the current spending on preventative measures, the benefits of these, and also potential limitations. The second section of the paper outlines the stages involved in developing a preventative strategy. These are introduced sequentially, but care should be taken not to interpret them as a fixed chronology. The author argues that there is no blueprint available for developing and implementing a successful preventative strategy.
Report commissioned by Scope that is informed by the ideas and reflections of disabled people and the actions that commissioners and providers are taking. It argues that by focusing on innovation as a force for social change, local authorities and the voluntary sector can together improve the lives of disabled people and their families. It celebrates social innovation in local services, showcasing and sharing ideas that better enable disabled people to lead social change.
Publications section of Nesta website, which contains research on how innovation works best in the UK and how policy can best support it.
Study that explored the role of place-based leadership in tackling social exclusion, drawing directly on the experience of three innovative cities – Bristol and Swindon in the UK, and Enschede in The Netherlands – to generate new insights into radical changes to public services.
Paper that explores territorial innovation models (TIMs) and territorial knowledge dynamics (TKDs) as ideal-typical ways of thinking about economic development, innovation and learning.
Using the UK as a case study, it explores their implications for the future direction of national (and European) education and skills policies in the context of the so-called knowledge-based economy (KBE).