social work

SCIE report 11: ESRC research, social work and social care

This report looks at what contribution ESRC research programmes make - and might make - to the knowledge base for social work and social care. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the largest single UK funder of social science research. Its role has been significantly expanded in recent years with a view to reinforcing the contribution made by social science to evidence-based policy and practice. Report published by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in December 2004.

Child and family practitioners' understanding of child development: lessons learnt from a small sample of serious case reviews

The aim of the study is to provide an in depth exploration of a small number of serious case reviews to consider how the knowledge that practitioners, and especially social workers, have on child development might have had an impact on the case and on outcomes for the children.

Six serious case reviews were selected from thirty three of the available serious case reviews which had been completed in 2009 or 2010.

Embracing change series

A series of booklets produced on the topic of innovation in social services in Scotland.

They are designed to help individuals and organisations think differently and more creatively about providing services, as well as manage risk more effectively.

The titles include:
- Embracing change
- Balancing innovation and risk in social services
- How do you create the right conditions for innovation?
- Developing a framework for innovation
- Rising to the challenge: where can ideas come from?

The contribution of social work and social care to the reduction of health inequalities: four case studies

This briefing argues that support given as social care can help improve health and reduce health disadvantage. Improving access to social care interventions is therefore important to any strategy for reducing health inequality. The concept of health inequalities refers to the avoidable health disadvantage people experience as a result of adverse social factors, such as lack of economic or social capital, or marginalisation. People with higher socio-economic position in society have better life chances and more opportunities to flourish. They also have better health.