research report

Minimum wage: maximum impact

Paper that steps back from the current annual debate about the appropriate but small rise in the value of the minimum wage to ask a bolder question: are there more radical reforms of the minimum wage that could raise living standards in the years ahead? It discusses what happens in labour markets where the minimum wage is much higher than it is in Britain today. It also asks whether a smarter design could do more to benefit the groups that are most in need of higher wages?

Improving attendance at school

Attendance has been steadily improving in the last few years, but there were still 57 million days of school missed in 2009/2010. The evidence shows that children with poor attendance are unlikely to succeed academically and they are more likely not to be in education, employment or training (NEET) when they leave school.

This report examines the trends in school attendance, parental sanctions and effective school practice.

A better fit? Creating housing choices for an ageing population

Repot that aims to:

- Set out the evidence about older people’s housing at present: where older people are living, their aspirations and their attitudes about housing, particularly their attitudes to downsizing.
- Explore the social and economic benefits associated with providing more housing for older people.
- Make the case for increasing the supply of housing for older people and recommend policy changes that can support this.

What makes us healthy? The asset approach in practice: evidence, action, evaluation

Paper that builds on an earlier publication ‘A glass half-full: how an asset approach can improve community health and wellbeing’. It promotes different ways of engaging local communities in co-producing local solutions and reducing health inequalities.

The paper argues that asset principles help us to understand what gives us health and wellbeing. It makes the case for developing ways of working that protect and promote the assets, resources, capacities and circumstances associated with positive health for everyone.

Health and wellbeing boards: system leaders or talking shops?

Report that forms part of a wider programme of work being carried out by The King’s Fund on health and wellbeing boards. The programme has supported several local authorities and their health partners to develop their shadow boards. As part of the programme, in late 2011, a survey of 50 local authority areas was conducted, covering all regions of England to find out how they and their health partners are implementing the new boards. Telephone interviews were conducted in September and October 2011 with lead officers identified by local authorities themselves.

ISFS in action: personalising block contracts

Report that describes a ground-breaking initiative in the development of personalisation in adult social care. By working in partnership, Southwark Council has:

- Broken down a large block contract for 83 people into individual budgets
- Created Individual Service Funds (ISF) for more flexible services
- Begun creating better and more empowering services for those they serve
- Developed a more dynamic and respectful relationship between a service provider and commissioner