research report

Improving children’s attainment through a better quality of family-based support for early learning (Research Review 2)

Review to identify the best available evidence on the potential and practical possibilities for improving children’s early learning outcomes through family-based support. The review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the forms of family support that research has identified as significant and the specific learning outcomes they affect. The review also provides a common language and framework for the ongoing C4EO engagement with systems change and practice improvement.

Improving children's attainment through a better quality of family-based support for early learning (Knowledge Review 2)

Knowledge review that tells us what works in improving family-based support for children’s learning. It is based on a rapid review of the research literature involving systematic searching, analysis of key data, validated local practice examples and views from both people using services and providers. It summarises the best available evidence that will help service service providers to improve services and ultimately outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Narrowing the gap in outcomes for young children through effective practices in the early years (Research Review 1)

Report that presents findings from a rapid review of research and national data on the impact of certain background characteristics on outcomes for children in the early years. It seeks to identify the approaches that are most effective in reducing educational disadvantage and promoting positive outcomes. The review focused on children from birth to seven years of age and included evidence published since 2000. A total of 465 items of literature were identified and considered for inclusion in this review.

Narrowing the gap in outcomes for children through effective practices in the early years (Knowledge Review 1)

Knowledge review that tells us what works in narrowing the gap in outcomes for young children through effective practices in the early years. It is based on a rapid review of the research literature involving systematic searching, analysis of key data, validated local practice examples and the views from both people using services and service providers. It summarises the best available evidence that will help service providers to improve services and, ultimately, outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Public attitudes to youth crime: report on focus group research

Paper that reports the findings of a series of focus groups set up to explore public attitudes to youth crime.

The topics included the respondents‟ views of:
- the extent of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the local community and the perceived causes of these
- restorative justice
- volunteering and the role of the community in preventing crime and in supporting youth justice.

Fathers with a history of child sexual abuse: new findings for policy and practice

Paper that outlines the key findings of the limited research that has investigated how a history of child sexual abuse can influence men’s perceptions and experience of fatherhood, and also discusses some of the reasons why this important topic remains largely excluded from public, academic and policy discourses.

This paper will be most useful to practitioners and policy-makers who work to support men, parents and/or families.

The impact of more flexible assessment practices in response to the Munro Review of Child Protection: emerging findings from the trials

A piece of rapid response work between April and July 2012 to independently evaluate the impact that the flexibilities granted to the trial authorities have had on practice and service responses to safeguard children from harm.

Dementia: making decisions - a practical guide for family members, partners and friends with power of attorney, guardianship or deputyship

This guide provides practical advice and information on how to weigh-up information and options for action when faced with situations in which major decisions need to be made. This guide was informed by a study of over 100 carers with proxy decision-making powers, funded by the Nuffield Foundation.