Social Justice
Ongoing Work
Money Advice Projects for Vulnerable Groups - Consultancy & Evaluation
Contractor: Scottish Poverty Information Unit ( SPIU) with Money Advice Scotland ( MAS)
Due: October 2006
Contact: Richard Evans [0131 244 7568]
Research to provide consultancy support and to monitor and evaluate the MA projects individually and collectively, in order to inform future initiatives meeting the needs of the target groups and to provide mainstream advice providers with information which will allow them to understand the issues which affect these client groups.
Illegal Lending in the UK
Contractor: Policis with the Personal Finance Research Centre, Bristol University
Due: July 2006
Contact: Richard Evans [0131 244 7568]
The Scottish Executive has contributed financially to this UK-wide study (commissioned principally by DTI) of illegal ( i.e. unlicensed) money lending. The aims of the research are to map and estimate the extent of illegal lending, describe different types of illegal lender and their ways of operating, and understand why borrowers use them.
Survey of Financial Education and Innovative Practices
Contractor: In-house
Due: June 2006
Contact: Sinéad Power [0131 244 0681]
A survey to find out what provisions the financial services industry in Scotland makes for certain groups of people who may be disadvantaged or have special needs in their use of financial products and services, and also for people at particular stages in their lives.
Working for Families Monitoring and Evaluation 2004-2006
Contractor: ERI
Due: April 2007
Contact: Sinéad Power [0131 244 0681]
Research to monitor and evaluate the Working for Families fund which started in April 2004. To assess the impact of the overall funding; to answer what is effective, for whom, in what circumstances and why; and to show, through cost benefit analysis, the trade offs between such benefits and the economic resources used.
Closing the Opportunity Gap Scoping Study
Contractor: Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion ( CESI) and SPIU
Due: April 2006
Contact: Sinéad Power [0131 244 0681]
In tackling poverty and disadvantage in Scotland and building on the Social Justice Milestones, the Scottish Executive's Closing the Opportunity Gap ( CtOG) approach focuses on a number of key policy areas: employability, educational attainment, health improvement, community regeneration, service development in rural areas and financial inclusion. CtOG comprises 6 overarching objectives and 10 targets, announced in July and December 2004 (respectively). In addition to Closing the Opportunity Gap ( CtOG) target monitoring, this separate scoping study aims to provide options to help synthesise and assess the impact of CtOG as a whole.
The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Children
Contractor: In-house
Due: April 2006
Contact: Catherine Bisset [0131 244 0427]
This literature review will evaluate existing research on how domestic abuse impacts on children. The review will also provide an insight into coping strategies employed by children, the role and nature of resilience and will critically evaluate 'cycle of violence' theory.
Literature Review on Providing Services for People with Multiple and Complex Needs
Contractor: Ann Rosengard Associates
Due: July 2006
Contact: Catherine Bisset [0131 244 0427]
This research will provide an insight into people who experience multiple and complex needs and discuss how service provision can best respond to multiple and complex problems.
National Overview of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund Programme
Contractor: Tribal HCH
Due: May 2006
Contact: Richard Rollison [0131 244 0366]
To monitor and assess the development of BNSF at a programme level, to explain processes underpinning the development and implementation of the BNSF, and to identify and share innovations and good practice. A number of topic reports are being produced over the duration of the contract.
Forthcoming Research Studies
Review of Support Services for the Voluntary Sector
Contractor: Rocket Science
Contact: Jonathan Wright [0131 244 7558]
Research to map out support services for the voluntary sector, identify gaps and make recommendations to fill them, while maximising efficient use of public funds.
Monitoring of the Scottish Compact
Contractor: To be commissioned
Contact: Jonathan Wright [0131 244 7558]
This research will provide information on the effectiveness of the Compact between the Voluntary Sector and the Executive.
Working for Families Evaluation 2006-2008
Contractor: To be commissioned
Contact: Sinéad Power [0131 244 0681]
Research to continue monitoring the Working for Families fund client data from 2006-2008 for the ten original local authorities and for the 10 new local authorities.
Support to lone parents and others to sustain employment research
Contractor: To be commissioned
Contact: Sinéad Power [0131 244 0681]
A qualitative evaluation of two initiatives which support lone parents and others to help them sustain employment, in order to explore the nature and effectiveness of the initiatives from the perspectives of project clients and staff.
Public Sector Professional Qualifications and Violence Against Women Curriculum
Contractos: To be commissioned
Due: September 2006
Contact: Catherine Bisset [0131 244 0427]
The research will identify the extent to which training on supporting women against gender based violence exists across the different professions in the public sector, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of current training to inform future development.
Older People Research Programme: A Strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing Population
Contractor: To be commissioned
Contact: Catherine Bisset [0131 244 0427]
This research programme will involve separate but linked projects to inform the policy development in supporting older people (both in terms of understanding and facilitating their contribution and supporting their needs).The programme will involve an analysis of a public consultation, focus groups and brief literature reviews.
Audit of Gender Research and Statistics 2006
Contractor: To be commissioned
Contact: Catherine Bisset [0131 244 0427]
This research will collate and analyse Scottish Executive and other available statistics that are able to be disaggregated by sex across key policy areas. The audit will provide an expert and informed description of the data and relate these findings to specific policy areas.
Further forthcoming research projects including invitations to make Expressions of Interest will be announced on the Scottish Executive Social Research website at: www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch.
Publications
Lone Parents in Further Education Colleges (2005)
Contractor: Centre for Research and Development in Adult and Lifelong Learning, Glasgow University; Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning ( CRLL), Glasgow Caledonian University.
Contact: Sinéad Power [0131 244 0681]
Research to identify good practice within Further Education colleges in terms of recruiting and retaining lone parent students.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/11/17154735/47387
A Vision for the Voluntary Sector - The Next Phase of Our Relationship (2005)
Contractor: In-house
Surveys and focus groups were conducted with senior Scottish Executive staff on the direction of policy making and how this will impact on the future role of the sector in helping to support policy formulation and delivery. The results are included as an annex to the visions paper.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47121/0020623.pdf
Local Compacts Research and Guidance
Contractor: Reid-Howie Associates
Research into local compacts between public bodies and the voluntary sector in Scotland. The research identifies the extent to which local compacts have been developed and implemented and the Guidance sets out good practice to support local compact development and implementation across Scotland.
Translating, Interpreting and Communication Support: a review of provision in public services in Scotland
Contractor: Heriot Watt University
This study provides policy makers with a picture of TICS services currently available, while also opening up consideration of the actions that are required to help develop provision of future services. It includes an audit of services, surveys of TICS providers and public bodies and case studies providing more detailed information.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/01/25141550/0
Faith Communities and Local Government in Glasgow
Contractor: Centre for Theology and Public Issues
This research identifies key issues for inter faith work, consultation, and community development work in the Glasgow city area. It acts as a baseline study for the establishment of an inter faith officer post.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/11/08142443/24440
A Stock-Take of Local Authority Policy and Practice in Relation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender ( LGBT) people
Contractor: ODS
This research provides local and national policy makers with baseline evidence of activity at local authority level. Practical guidance has been produced to assist the development and monitoring of future policy and practice. The stock-take focused on employment; policy and planning; service provision and support mechanisms.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/01/24135346/0