government and social policy

Getting it right for every child: children and young people's experiences of advocacy support and participation in the Children's Hearings System

This research project was commissioned by the Scottish Executive to find out how advocacy for children in the Children’s Hearings System compares with arrangements in other UK systems of child welfare and youth justice and those internationally, and what children and young people and the professionals who work with them think about advocacy arrangements in the Children’s Hearings System and how these can be improved.

Valuing young people: principles and connections to support young people achieve their potential

Paper developed with input and advice from a range of partners who deliver for young people. It is set out in 3 sections: context, common principles, and connections.

It is intended as a practical resource for anyone making decisions that affect the support we give young people or anyone involved in delivering services to them. It can provide a point of common reference and a tool for making connections.

SCIE Research briefing 31: Co-production: an emerging evidence base for adult social care transformation

The term ‘co-production’ is increasingly being applied to new types of public service delivery in the UK, including new approaches to adult social care. This briefing explains how staff should be encouraged to access co-productive initiatives, recognising and supporting diversity among the people who use services. And the importance of creating new structures, regulatory and commissioning practices and financial streams is necessary to embed co-production as a long-term rather than ad hoc solution.

The road to recovery: one year on

One year ago the Scottish Government launched Scotland’s first drugs strategy since devolution. Central to the strategy was a new approach to tackling problem drug use based firmly on the concept of recovery. The action set out in the strategy reflects that tackling drug use requires action across a broad range of areas. This progress report takes the same approach.

Support and Services for Parents: A Review of the Literature in Engaging and Supporting Parents

Literature review published by the Scottish Government which draws together existing knowledge on assessing and evaluating parenting interventions. In conducting the literature review, the research team was interested in re-examining the historical policy context to locate the rationale for the introduction of Parenting Orders and the apparent under use of the provisions and the evidence of risk and protective factors and the interrelated issues of antisocial behaviour and child care, alongside effective approaches to family service provision.

Evaluation of intensive family support projects in Scotland

This report examines the establishment, operation and impacts of intensive family intervention projects operating in Scotland. The research was initiated mainly to evaluate the three ‘Breaking the Cycle’ (BtC) schemes funded by the Scottish Government as a two-year pilot programme running from 2006/07-2008/09. In addition to the BtC projects (in Falkirk, Perth and Kinross and South Lanarkshire) the research also encompassed the Dundee Families Project (set up in 1996) and the Aberdeen Families Project (established in 2005).

HM Inspectorate of Prisons: report on HMP Edinburgh: unannounced full inspection 12-21 January 2009

Edinburgh Prison is almost entirely new. With the exception of one hall built 11 years ago the whole prison has been rebuilt in the last five years. Different stages of this rebuilding have been welcomed in previous inspection reports; at each stage, however, the difficulties of managing a prison while massive rebuilding work was taking place on the same site were observed.

Well? What do you think? (2008): the fourth national Scottish survey of public attitudes to mental wellbeing and mental health problems

The overall aims of the research were to examine the views and experiences of a representative sample of the adult Scottish population (reflecting age, gender, income, location, race and ethnic diversity) in relation to a spectrum of mental health-related issues; and to compare findings with other relevant survey data.