research report

Pain management for older people with learning difficulties and dementia

In general, the pain relief needs of older people with dementia are not adequately met. The aim of this research was to determine whether the same unsatisfactory treatment also applies to people with learning difficulties who have dementia and, if so, to make recommendations for improving practice. The research team was based at the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, University of Edinburgh, and the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling.

Person-centred support: what service users and practitioners say

This study examines person-centred support, a key new concern in public services. It does this by bringing together for the first time the views, ideas and experience of service users, face to face practitioners and managers. Government is committed to ‘personalisation’, ‘self-directed support’ and ‘individual budgets’ in social care, aiming for increased choice and control for the people who use services. This is a move away from traditional, 'one-size-fits-all' approaches.

Risk assessment in criminal justice : politics and practice in Scotland

Dr. Monica Barry recently undertook an international review of effective approaches to risk assessment in social work in the light of the recommendations from the Changing Lives report. This seminar is based on that review and whilst it briefly explores commonalities and differences across various areas of practice in social work, it focuses predominantly on criminal justice and the implications for policy and practice of the drive towards multi-agency partnerships and a common approach to risk assessment and management of offenders in Scotland.

Working together for change: using person-centred information for commissioning

Working together for change is an approach to engagement with people using services to review their experiences and determine priorities for change. It can be used to ensure that co-production with local people and families is at the heart of social care transformation programmes. This report describes a six stage process that uses person centred information - such as person centred reviews, person centred plans or support plans - to inform strategic change and commissioning.

The effectiveness of behavioural interventions which involve parents in the management of behaviour problems among disabled children: a rapid review

This review identified research studies on the effectiveness of behavioural interventions for disabled children with behavioural problems. The findings on intervention outcomes are discussed in the broad areas of interventions on behaviour management skills only; interventions on behaviour management skills and the parent-child relationships; interventions on behaviour management and teaching skills; interventions on behaviour management skills and understanding the condition; and an overview of the significant effects for each intervention.

Equally different: report on the situation of older lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered people in Thanet, Kent

This report has been compiled by 'Opening Doors in Thanet', a group of older people living in the Isle of Thanet, who are aware of and want to help service-providers understand the difficulties, and improve the lives, of Lesbian, Gay Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) older people. It is based on the results of a questionnaire sent out to sheltered housing providers, residential homes, nursing homes, care companies and day centres catering for the older population of Thanet.

Five types of inequality (summary report)

In a contribution to the JRF's 'social evils' series, author Ferdinand Mount discusses the theme of 'inequality'. In 2007 the JRF asked the British public for their views on what constituted a 'social evil'. In this Viewpoint, Ferdinand Mount explores one aspect raised by many respondents - the problems created by an unequal society. He discusses five inequalities and how to remedy them: political inequality; differing life outcomes; inequality of opportunity; treatment and responsibility; shared equality of membership in the areas of nation, faith and family.

Better care every step of the way

More than 40% of care homes in Scotland need to improve the support they offer people with life-limiting illnesses and those who require palliative and end of life care, according to a new report from Scotland’s care watchdog.

This report reflects the findings of 1036 inspections and three investigations carried out by the Care Commission at care homes for older people between April 2007 and March 2008.