social care provision

SCIE knowledge review 18: 'necessary stuff' : the social care needs of children with complex health care needs and their families

This knowledge review sets out to identify what is known about the social care needs of children with complex health care needs (CHCN) and their families, and about the services designed to meet those needs. Review published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in December 2007.

SCIE research briefing 20 : the implementation of individual budget schemes in adult social care

This briefing examines some of the recent UK and international literature relating to the development of personal budget schemes for adults eligible for support from social care services. These include older people, people with physical or sensory disabilities, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health problems. Research briefing published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in January 2007, updated in February 2009 and addendum added in March 2009.

Report 22: current social care information providers and their products, services, specialisms and intended audience

The purpose of this report is to identify and map information provision within the social care sector, in order to help people to see coverage at a glance. The content of the report can also be used to identify gaps and overlaps in coverage between different social care information providers. Report published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in August 2009.

SCIE report 17: the kinds and quality of social work research in UK universities

This report is part of a programme of work by SCIE, the Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education and the Economic and Social Research Council to develop evidence-based social care by strengthening one of its core disciplines: social work research. The report proposes a framework for assessing the nature and quality of social work research in universities in the UK, and provides a reference point for building research capacity in social work. Report published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in June 2007.

SCIE report 2: working with families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems

This report focuses on the policies and practices that can promote integrated services to families. It makes a number of recommendations for improving joint practice, some of which are listed below. The guide is aimed at senior managers and social care workers in children's services and adults' services in local authorities. It is also aimed at workers and managers in other services that may be involved with families with alcohol and mental health problems such as local health services. Report published by in June 2003.

'Would you have sandwiches for your tea every night?': older people's views of social care in Northern Ireland

Research produced as a result of a project which aimed to consult directly with older people to ascertain their views on all aspects of social care and report on the main findings.

SRC worked in partnership with Age NI staff and peer facilitators to recruit for and run three focus groups across NI. The focus groups were held in Belfast, Cookstown and Irvinestown. In total, twenty four older people attended the focus groups – two thirds male and one third female.

Transforming social care: sustaining person-centred support

This is a summary of the study. This study is the most user-centred and authoritative commentary to date on current policies and practice. The Standards We Expect project team (service users, practitioners and researchers) worked with service users, carers, front-line practitioners and managers in eight very diverse settings. Research findings published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in May 2011.

Family and friends care: a guide to good practice for local authorities

Urgent action is required at national and local level in order that clear policies and systems are in place in every local authority to ensure that family and friends care arrangements are appropriately assessed and supported.

This good practice guide has been developed to assist local authorities in this task. It is informed by:

· Examples of good practice found in policies sent by local authorities in response to the FOI survey.

Freedom of information survey of local authority policies on family and friends care

In 2007 Family Rights Group sent a questionnaire to all local authorities in England and Wales, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 specifically about family and friends care.

It asked each authority to provide its policies for working with, assessing and supporting family and friends carers and the children they are raising, information on dedicated staffing and data on the numbers of children and carers assisted by legal order and budget spent (see Appendix A for the Freedom of Information questions sent to all local authorities in England and Wales).