policy

This report was commissioned by the Scottish Government as a result of concerns raised by the diversion working group of the Pre-Disposal Programme Implementation Board. The numbers of cases diverted from prosecution have fallen in recent years (2006 onwards) and it was felt there was a need to investigate the issue further.

To facilitate this, the Scottish Government requested that the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) undertake a small-scale research study on the use of social work related diversion schemes by Procurators Fiscal in Scotland.

This research was commissioned by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and carried out by a team from the Institute for Sustainability, Health and Environment at the University of the West of England, Bristol, between November 2009 and June 2010.

It complements other work undertaken as part of SCIE’s Sustainable Social Care Programme, including the Learning Network run by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU).

UK communities find themselves in an increasingly complex world of news mediation. There are more channels of information from around the world that provide more varied sources of topical data and comment than ever before. This paper seeks to chart the impact of changes in global media on low-income groups in the UK and community dynamics. It will explore how their mediated relationship to the local and global world is affected by current trends in media production and consumption.

This report surveys the history of ‘community and mutual ownership’ and considers the implications for policy and practice in this area. Policy-makers have identified that community and mutual ownership can make a significant contribution to the economy, welfare and society more generally. A historical analysis of social change can inform contemporary understanding, policy and practice.

The SCCJR produces high-quality research which is both scholarly and of relevance to the needs of those involved in the formulation, development and implementation of criminal justice policy. The SCCJR seeks to share its research findings widely and offers training, consultancy and policy advice. The SCCJR works in partnership with a range of stakeholders involved in crime and justice research, policy and practice. This Vimeo resource contains the SCCJR's video content.

In 2001, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation embarked upon a unique and challenging programme of research that explored the problem of illicit drugs in the UK. The research addressed many questions that were often too sensitive for the government to tackle. In many cases, these studies represented the first research on these issues and the policy implications have been far-reaching. This report outlines the results of the largest independent programme of drugs research of its kind within the UK.

A selection of summaries on a particular policy question, such as whether service user involvement has made a difference to social care services. The papers identify issues and key messages.

Resource that provides a list of policy reports on the subject of dementia in Scotland.

Resource designed to provide ready access to relevant policy, available evidence and emerging practice on topics of current importance. It addresses topics where the evidence base is currently less well-developed, but where practitioners and managers still need to access emerging evidence and information to help inform their practice. Themes include outcome-based commissioning and contracting, support brokerage, joint strategic needs assessment, and social firms.

Manual about service users being involved in the on-going systems and procedures of services.