research report

Stepping up: the future for young runaways

Report that builds on existing knowledge about levels of running away. The estimated 100,000 children who run away each year in the UK are, to varying degrees, in need of support and services. Although there is no single profile for a child who runs way, there are common services and approaches that can provide support before, during and after a running away incident. Stepping Up reviews these services and how far the current policy provisions ensure that every child who runs away is adequately safeguarded.

Building pressure : access to housing in Scotland in 2009

Report drawing attention to some of the symptoms of the shortage of affordable housing in Scotland. These include lengthening waiting lists, increased use of temporary accommodation, increased competition for decreasing numbers of lets and rising numbers of evictions. To counter these trends the report urges the Scottish Government to continue investing in affordable housing.

Progress in the development of integrated mental health care in Scotland

The development of integrated care through the promotion of ‘partnership working’ is a key policy objective of the Scottish Executive, the administration responsible for health services in Scotland. This paper considers the extent to which this goal is being achieved in mental health services, particularly those for people with severe and enduring mental illness.

The report of the Older People's Inquiry into 'That Bit of Help'

The report focuses on how to involve older people alongside the professionals, as equals, in identifying what services they want and value. It notes that older people are able to take account of costs of service provision in an environment where resources are limited, and with this information they are able to prioritise the service provision which they require.

Parental problem drinking and its impact on children

This review of the available research will address the definition and extent of parental problem drinking; its impact across important dimensions of children’s lives; the impact on children as they become adults; and some messages for practice, including a suggested service specification. The research focus is mainly on UK studies published in the last two decades, supplemented by research from other countries, especially the USA, Australia and Europe.

Drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents

This literature review provides a comprehensive report on the relationship between drug use, impaired driving and traffic accidents. It covers methodological issues, presents results of prevalence surveys among drivers and provides an overview of findings from major international epidemiological surveys published since 1999. The report also gathers evidence from experimental and field studies of the relationship between drug use, driving impairment and traffic accidents.

Alcohol attributable mortality and morbidity : alcohol population attributable fractions for Scotland

Summary of the findings of a study which attempted, for the first time, to calculate alcohol population attributable fractions for Scotland using estimates based on evidence available in the epidemiological literature and specific estimates of population drinking in Scotland. The mortality and morbidity data for 2003 was used to estimate more fully the burden of alcohol related harm in Scotland.

The effect of parental substance abuse on young people

An exploration of the experiences of young people (15-27 years) affected by parental drug and/or alcohol misuse. This report provides an in-depth account of the impact of parental substance misuse on parenting, on roles within the family, and on relationships. It identifies differences in the effects of drug and alcohol misuse and the relevance of gender and socio-economic status.