research report

Parenting matters: early years and social mobility

Paper that argues strongly that the government is correct to take the bold step of embracing the firm evidence on child development in seeking to create a strategy that "sets out plans to support a culture where the key aspects of good parenting are widely understood and where all parents can benefit from advice and support...what is needed is a much wider culture change towards recognising the importance of parenting, and how society can support mothers and fathers to give their children the best start in life".

A review of the cost-effectiveness of individual level behaviour change interventions

Report, commissioned by the Health and Well-Being Alliance, which considers the economic case for implementing behaviour change interventions across the North West to tackle issues such as alcohol consumption at increasing and higher risk levels, smoking, obesity and increasing physical activity levels both in and out of the workplace.

It focuses on the delivery of education or communication based interventions.

Scotland's skills utilisation programme: an interim evaluation: SKOPE research paper No. 101

Paper that reports on the findings from a mid-term evaluation of the Scottish Funding Council’s programme of ‘action research’ projects, which are aimed at exploring the potential contribution of universities and colleges to improved skills utilisation in the workplace.

The evaluation finds some initial empirical evidence for establishing proof of concept, but also identifies challenges in relation to capacity building and sustainability. The potential exists, it is argued, for the programme to contribute to a broader approach to skills and innovation policy in Scotland.

Mental health, resilience and the recession in Bradford

Report on how personal coping strategies and financial support help to moderate the impact of unemployment at a time of economic recession in Bradford.

It explores the impact of involuntary unemployment at a time of economic recession on people’s everyday life and mental well-being. It explores the relation between people’s experiences of unemployment and two sets of resilience factors: coping strategies and practical and emotional support.