Child Neglect in Scotland

The Scottish Executive have published a new report, conducted by researchers at University of Stirling, on the current scale and nature of child neglect in Scotland. Daniel, B., Burgess, C. & Scott, J. (2012). A review of child neglect in Scotland, provides statistical information but also delivers information from focus groups on how well professionals across disciplines are performing in recognising and helping neglected children.

Designing and delivering older care in Glasgow

A new report from IRISS, the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Sciences, has been published on an innovative project: Shaping the choreography of care & support for older people in Glasgow. This partnership project, working with diverse agencies from social work, to health, to Glasgow School of Art, collaborated on future support for older people's well being and service delivery.

Custody versus the alternatives

Those working in criminal justice/probation may be interested in recent and possibly conflicting reports in this area. A report from the Ministry of Justice (2012), Process evaluations on intensive alternatives to custody, which assesses the efficacy of Intensive Alternatives to Custody in seven pilot areas of England and Wales. Initial finding indicate that the IAC orders were welcomed by both persistent offenders and seen as positive and effective by those working in sentencing and probation.
Meanwhile Civitas: Institute for the study of Civil Society have published Acquisitive Crime: imprisonment, detection and social factors which argues that longer custodial sentences are effective in reducing the number of future offences. Paul McDowell, chief executive of Nacro, argues that the Civitas analysis is flawed in todays Guardian .

IRISS FM - social work podcasts

Last month IRISS - The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services launched their IRISS FM service - giving access to Social Service Podcasts on diverse social work topics. To listen online or download to you MP3 device of choice go to http://irissfm.iriss.org.uk/