research report

SCIE report 15: using digital media to access information and good practice for paid carers of older people: a feasibility study

This report describes a study commissioned by SCIE and jointly funded with the National Knowledge Service. It was carried out by the University of Brighton to explore the feasibility and the appropriateness of digital technologies to support the work of paid carers in residential care homes for older people. Report published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in September 2006.

SCIE report 14 : doing it for themselves : participation and black and minority ethnic service users

Service user participation in social care has increased markedly in the wider service user movement over the last 20 years. However, the participation of black and minority ethnic service users has diminished over the same period. This report identifies some of the reasons for this reduction and concludes by stating that given the right opportunities, support and resources, there is a genuine commitment and interest from service users to become more actively involved in the process. Report published by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in July 2006.

SCIE report 13: systematic searching on the AgeInfo database

This report presents the results of an evaluation of the AgeInfo database, which is an information service provided by the Centre for Policy on Ageing (www.cpa.org.uk) and which is made available to the public at not cost through SCIE's own database Social Care Online (www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk This report is intended for use by SCIE and the Centre for Policy on Ageing, and may also be useful to users of the AgeInfo database, such as researchers conducting systematic reviews.

SCIE report 11: ESRC research, social work and social care

This report looks at what contribution ESRC research programmes make - and might make - to the knowledge base for social work and social care. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the largest single UK funder of social science research. Its role has been significantly expanded in recent years with a view to reinforcing the contribution made by social science to evidence-based policy and practice. Report published by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in December 2004.

SCIE report 3: using evidence from diverse research designs

This report provides a number of examples of research that are deliberately or inadvertently developing methods for synthesising evidence from diverse sources. It is a part of a larger SCIE programme of work focused on using knowledge in social care. It provides a partial picture of methodological work synthesising evidence from research using diverse research designs. It looks at work both on the synthesis of qualitative evidence and on the synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

SCIE report 1: listening exercise: summary of findings

This report summarises the findings of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) Listening Exercise, which took place between February and July 2002. SCIE is an independent organisation created in response to the government drive to improve quality in social care services across England and Wales. It was launched in October 2001. As SCIE is a new organisation, it was considered appropriate during its first year to carry out a special Listening Exercise project.

European Social Fund Operational Programme 2007-2013: synthesis of evidence from the first half of the programme

Report that draws together evidence to date from the 2007-2013 evaluation studies of the European Social Fund (ESF) and internal analysis/Management Information in England and Gibraltar to assess the impact of the ESF programme and its effectiveness in meeting its objectives for the first half of the programme.

A sustainable future for legal aid

The report, 'Renewing Scotland: the government’s programme for Scotland', published on 7 September 2011, sets out the Government’s intention to maintain and improve access to justice in the current economic climate, including by taking forward a series of legal aid reforms.

This paper proposes how this will be done. The ambition is to maintain a fair, high quality and equitable system which maintains public confidence at an affordable and sustainable level of expenditure.