vulnerable children

Growing up in Scotland (GUS): non-resident parent summary report

The Growing Up in Scotland study (GUS) is an important longitudinal research project aimed at tracking the lives of a cohort of Scottish children from the early years, through childhood and beyond.

The study is funded by the Scottish Government and carried out by the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen). Its principal aim is to provide information to support policy-making, but it is also intended to be a broader resource that can be drawn on by academics, voluntary sector organisations and other interested parties.

Disability and caring among families with children: Family employment and poverty characteristics

This report uses data from the Families and Children Study to investigate the characteristics of families that include a disabled adult and/or child. Questions posed by this research include, for instance, how do disability and caring responsibilities relate to families' ages, size, ethnic origins and so on? How far does disability cluster together within families, given that worklessness appears often related to ill-health?

Joint area reviews 2007-08: report on outcomes

This report is based on evidence from joint area reviews (JARs) conducted in 73 local authority areas April 2007-July 2008. Key findings, recommendations and methodology are followed by sections on safeguarding; looked after children; children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities; additional, education and other investigations; and service management and capacity to improve. Annexes give an overview of JAR grades awarded since April 2007 under the new methodology and a full list of JARs since April 2007.

Core tasks for Designated Managers in educational and residential establishments in Scotland

The role of the designated manager for looked after children and young people in schools was established following the publication of the Learning With Care report in 2001. Having a designated manager in educational establishments and developing a reciprocal role in residential child care establishments is central to improving educational outcomes. This Scottish Government guidance is aimed at assisting designated managers in discharging their responsibilities to looked after children, young people and care leavers.

Effective interventions for complex families where there are concerns about, or evidence of, a child suffering significant harm (Safeguarding: briefing 1)

Briefing paper focusing on the effectiveness of interventions in complex child protection cases. Effectiveness here is defined as the prevention of further maltreatment or significant impairment to the child's development.

Noticing and Helping the Neglected Child - Literature Review

This study is one of a series of projects, jointly commissioned by the DCSF and the Department of Health, to improve the evidence base on recognition, effective intervention and inter-agency working in child abuse and focuses on recognition of neglect. This literature review aimed to provide a synthesis of the existing empirical evidence about the ways in which children and families signal their need for help, how those signals are recognised and responded to and whether response could be swifter.

Policy and practice guidelines for working with children and families affected by problem drug use : getting our priorities right

The first part of the guidance sets out what is currently known about the extent of parental problem drug use and the impact on children. The second tackles the complex area of confidentiality and offers advice to agencies about when, and how, to share information. Part 3 outlines what agencies need to ask of families when they present with drug problems.