research methods

A review of how fathers can be better recognised and supported through DCSF policy

While fathers can play an extremely important role in achieving positive outcomes for their children, they also face significant barriers to engaging with a range of family services. The available research shows that parental involvement is one of the most important factors in children’s achievement and adjustment and that fathers are vitally important in this.

The support needs of children and young people who have to move home because of domestic abuse : research report

Report of a study which explored the experiences of children and young people compelled to leave homes where domestic abuse has occurred and move to alternative housing. It records their views of the services and support they received and what other services they would have liked.

Addressing the needs of children of substance using parents: an evaluation of Families First's intensive intervention - final report

Report of a study carried out to identify the processes involved in service delivery, including intervention approach, the implementation and integrity of Families First, a multi-component support service for adults and families with substance use issues, interagency working together with the outcomes of intervention for participating families.

Service needs and delivery following the onset of caring amongst children and young adults: evidenced based review

This report looks at the service needs of people in rural areas following major life events spending time talking to rural service users to find out about their experiences. This work takes a practical and positive approach, looking for solutions to providing fair access to services for rural communities. This study provides an overview, synthesis and analysis of research and other evidence on ‘young carers’ and ‘young adult carers’ in the UK.

Changes in offending following prescribing treatment for drug misuse

This study match information from the Police National Computer with the NTA’s National Drug Treatment Monitoring System database. Researchers looked at a sample of opiate and crack users who had recently offended but had not been jailed, and had started drug treatment in the community. They found, as well, that offences typically committed by drug addicts, such as theft, fell by almost half when they were in treatment programmes.

Pathways to work from incapacity benefits: a study of referral practices and liaison between Jobcentre Plus advisers and service providers

This report presents findings from a qualitative research project carried out as part of a wider evaluation of Jobcentre Plus Pathways to Work. The study was conducted in 2007 and 2008 to explore referral practices and liaison amongst Jobcentre Plus staff and service providers involved in helping incapacity benefits recipients move towards, and into, paid employment. The study was led by the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York in collaboration with the Policy Studies Institute and the National Centre for Social Research.