government and social policy

Housing associations and home adaptations: making it work smoothly

This research and development project aimed to assist housing associations and local authorities to establish fair, efficient and effective arrangements for carrying out home adaptations. The report covers legislation and funding policy on adaptations; barriers to effective partnership, which included uncertainty about the law and guidance, structural factors and poor communications; and setting up an adaptation agreement.

Tackling antisocial behaviour in Scotland: An action framework for social housing practitioners and governing bodies

Tackling antisocial behaviour is a key activity for housing organisations across the UK. This ‘action framework’ focuses specifically on Scottish policy and practice. It uses a systematic process approach towards tackling antisocial behaviour organised in seven photocopiable core tasks. Designed to develop staff awareness, and strategic planning and monitoring, it can also form the basis of in-house training programmes.

Substance use during pregnancy: time for policy to catch up with research

The purpose of this review is to summarize policy research findings in the area of maternal prenatal substance abuse to (1) inform and advance this field, (2) identify future research needs, (3) inform policy making and (4) identify implications for policy. As a review, this is a systematic analysis of existing data (findings) on maternal drug use during pregnancy for determining the best policy among the alternatives for dealing with drug using mothers and their children.

The autism toolbox: an autism resource for Scottish schools

The Autism Toolbox for Scottish Schools is designed to support education authorities in the delivery of services and planning for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Scotland, and will sit alongside existing local authority resources. It complements the guidance issued on Health and Social Care Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The intention is to provide a resource to support the inclusion of children and young people with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream education services.

International perspectives on parenting support: non-English language sources

This reports on a project to understand "what works" in parenting support, beyond the English language international evidence. English language literature was reviewed in 'What works in Parenting Support, (Moran, Ghate and van der Merwe 2004). This project focused on Denmark, France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands and aimed to: consider what works in parenting support; describe processes, models of delivery and underlying philosophies of provision; identify key messages to inform policy and practice in England.

Reference paper for Valuing Young People

This paper provides background information on the individual elements of the nine pillars set out in Valuing Young People. The list of polices approaches outlined here is not exhaustive but is intended as a set of concise summaries to give partners, supporters and users of Valuing Young People an overview of polices and approaches that can support young people to achieve their potential.