research report

Decision-making within a child's timeframe: an overview of current research evidence for family justice professionals concerning child development and the impact of maltreatment

Overview of research evidence that has been commissioned in response to the Family Justice Review recommendation for consistent training and development for family justice professionals, including a greater emphasis on child development. It aims to bring together key research evidence to facilitate understanding among professionals working in the family justice system in areas relating to:

Implementing universal credit: will the reforms improve the service for users

Universal Credit (UC) will replace means-tested benefits and tax credits for people out of work or on low incomes, and transform the system of service delivery. But will UC improve service delivery and incentives to work, and reduce the complexity of the system?

This study found support for reform, but identified risks that need addressing if UC is to bring about genuine improvements for all service users.

Exploring dimensions of social capital in Scotland: findings from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey and Scottish Household Survey

Report that explores whether different groups in society experience different levels of social capital. Does where you live affect the strength of your social networks? Are older or younger people more likely to benefit from having strong links with other people in their community? And are people who are already socio-economically disadvantaged further disadvantaged by having lower levels of social capital and therefore fewer resources to draw upon?

It draws on data from the Scottish Social Attitudes survey (SSA) 2009 and the Scottish Household survey (SHS) 2010.

Social capital and health: findings from the Scottish Health Survey and Scottish Social Attitudes Survey

Paper that explores the Scottish evidence for a link between social capital and health outcomes in order to inform the ongoing development of an assets-based approach to addressing health problems and inequalities.

It uses data from two sources - the 2009 Scottish Health Survey and the 2009 Scottish Social Attitudes survey, although the majority of the paper focuses on the former due to the inclusion of self-assessed health plus WEMWBS variables.

NICE Pathways

An interactive tool for health and social care professionals that provides quick and easy access, topic by topic, to the range of guidance from NICE, including quality standards, technology appraisals, clinical and public health guidance and NICE implementation tools.

Taking stock of alternatives to secure accommodation or custody for girls and young women in Scotland

Small-scale, scoping study that provides a synthesis of existing knowledge about girls and young women at risk of secure care or custody, and ways in which earlier intervention strategies and alternatives to secure care and accommodation could be developed specific to their needs.

Stronger collective voice for people with dementia

A growing number of people with dementia in the UK are becoming actively involved in groups to try to influence services and policies affecting people with dementia. The Dementia Engagement & Empowerment Project (DEEP) was a one-year investigation aiming to highlight groups and projects involving people with dementia. The report offers specific ways forward for organisations wishing to engage with people with dementia. Resource published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in October 2012. Summary and full report available.