Adult placement in England: a synthesis of the literature

This workbook uses a social care governance framework to support practitioners, managers and teams to reflect on and evaluate their practice and to make improvements.

Mothers who use substances and implications for the care system: Desk-based literature review

Part of Northern Ireland social work and social care

This report reviews what has been identified in literature in relation to mothers who use drugs and alcohol, and any implications for the family support system. Five research database were searched, including Social Care Online, along with specific websites relevant to Northern Ireland. The review examined the implications of not keeping a family together where a mother is using drugs or alcohol; what support needs to be in place; what practical resources support social workers and care workers; and any key lessons and implications for Family Support Hubs. Findings cover: context of mothers' substance use including stigma and repeat removals; impacts on the care system and family members; interventions and approaches; which factors help interventions work well and create an enabling environment; factors to consider when making child protection decisions and assessing risk. Key findings include: there is a dearth of literature about the additional impacts/costs to the care system and there is not enough research evidence to clearly identify which interventions help prevent parents from losing care of their children when substance use is an issue. There is an emerging evidence base for Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs) and a number of interventions that focus on improving parenting practices and family functioning and which provide comprehensive services likely to work well. In addition, positive approaches or ways of working with women with substance use problems include providing services that are gender-responsive, trauma informed, strengths-based, relationship-based, collaborative and family-centred.

Resident-to-resident harm in care homes and residential settings

Part of Safeguarding evidence and research

This report from SCIE aims to identify current research, policy and practice about resident-to-resident abuse in care homes.

The road ahead?: information for young people with learning difficulties, their families and supporters at transition

This report for the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) brings together the findings from three inter-linked investigations relating to the information needs of young people, their parents and supporters at transition. It was undertaken over a six month period between October 2003 and March 2004 and included: focus group interviews with young people, their parents and supporters; a systematic review of the literature on transition; and a review of the information already available for young people, parents and professionals, including an evaluation of materials by young people and parents. The project was carried out by the Norah Fry Research Centre (NFRC) in partnership with North Somerset People First (NSPF) and the Home Farm Trust (HFT).

Carers' breaks and respite services: rapid review summary

Part of Carers’ breaks: guidance for commissioners and providers

Drawing on a focused literature review combined with selected Carers UK Breaks Survey data, this summary report outlines key themes and issues relating to the provision of carers breaks and respite in England since the introduction of the Care Act 2014. Key messages from the research include: that the evidence base on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of specific interventions for carers is weak; there is a tension between cost-effectiveness and what is valued by carers; and that carers cite a lack of flexibility, choice and accessibility as key concerns along with issues of cost and concerns around quality of current provision. The findings will be used to inform the development of guidance for commissioners and providers and the dissemination of advice and information tool for carers being produced by SCIE and Carers UK respectively.

Integration 2020: scoping research. Report to the Department of Health

Part of Integrated care

This report presents the findings from a programme of scoping research and engagement to better understand what excellent integrated health and social care should look like in 2020.

Research Mindedness

The Research mindedness learning resource has been produced to help students and practitioners of social care and social work make more effective and extensive use of research in their studies and in practice.

The extent and impact of parental mental health problems on families and the acceptability, accessibility and effectiveness of interventions: systematic map report 1

This systematic map aims to identify the nature of research in parental mental health and to be a specific resource from which to commission further reviews and/or primary research by identifying gaps in the research literature.

Prevention in adult safeguarding: a review of the literature

This report shares findings from research, policy and practice on prevention in adult safeguarding and presents a wide range of approaches that can help prevent abuse.

The conduct of systematic research reviews for SCIE knowledge reviews

These guidelines provide a comprehensive guide to the conduct of SCIE research reviews,