government and social policy

In 2004 the NSPCC and Victim Support described the experiences of 50 young witnesses in their report In Their Own Words. The report concluded that, despite a raft of policies and procedures intended to facilitate children's evidence, their experiences revealed an implementation gap between policy and delivery. This is the executive summary of a study that considers whether the implementation gap has narrowed since 2004.

This report presents the findings of a consultation on forced marriage, through which the Scottish Government sought views on whether civil legislation on forced marriage should be introduced in Scotland.

This is a summary of the findings of a consultation on forced marriage, through which the Scottish Government sought views on whether civil legislation on forced marriage should be introduced in Scotland.

Child poverty has fallen in Scotland, but evidence from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests that the current rate of progress will not achieve the 2020 target to eradicate child poverty. Some policy measures required to reduce child poverty (such as benefit increases) are not devolved powers, but the Scottish Government could do more to remove barriers to employment, sustain people in work and tackle low pay. This study discusses progress made in Scotland to end child poverty, and suggests what the Scottish Government needs to do to reach the 2020 target.

National figures for services provided by local authorities in Scotland for adults with learning disabilities are presented. All figures for 2006 relate to the week ending 10 September 2006 and are provisional. This publication is a result of The same as you? review of services for people with learning disabilities, published in May 2000. Its 29 recommendations for developing learning disability services set out a programme for change over 10 years.

This report explores the changing lives of older people and shows how resources are used to manage change and maintain stability. An ageing population continues to be of policy concern, in relation to meeting the needs of older people now, and for future welfare provision. This research explores how older people plan, use and value the different resources available to them. Resources are broadly defined, to explore the relative value of different structural, social and individual resources and how they interlink.

This report identifies key issues and lessons for current planning policy and practice concerning the development of new urban extensions. It combines the first-hand learning of practitioners – including the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust at Derwenthorpe in York – with an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the current policy framework, and draws conclusions that are relevant not just to high-profile “eco-towns” but to all new communities in Britain.

This was an annual paper, which provided statistics of drug-related deaths that were registered in Scotland over the period from 1996 to 2007. The figures were produced using a definition of "drug-related deaths" which was introduced in 2001 for the "baseline" figures for the UK Drugs Strategy.

On 11 March 2009, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation hosted a symposium on Basic income, social justice and freedom, jointly organised with the University of York's School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy. Based on themes from the work of eminent political philosopher Philippe Van Parijs, it discussed his argument for the introduction of a basic income paid unconditionally, without work requirements or means tests.

The aim of the evaluation was to determine which elements or models of delivery best promote the overall aim of improving post school destinations among those identified as being at risk of moving into a negative post-school destination.