Improving lives through knowledge, evidence and innovation

Iriss is a charitable company that promotes positive outcomes for the people who use Scotland's social services.

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Gypsy Traveller camp in snow

Gypsy Traveller history in Scotland

Gypsy Travellers are largely absent from history or misrepresented and mythologised in our culture and folklore — often in the crudest and most damaging of ways. Their story is often untold or misunderstood, reinforcing their marginalisation in…

Outcomes and CO

Outcomes & CO

A tool that provides a framework for open, honest conversations about personal outcomes
Father and son at beach

Good practice with fathers in children and family services

How we think about and understand fathering has changed. Active ‘fathering’ is now an accepted role for men at home and fathers are visible outside the school gates, in parks and playgrounds and in the streets and shopping centres. Fathers’…
Gypsy Travellers

Gypsy Travellers: Human rights and social work’s role

Gypsy Travellers have an important place in modern day Scotland with a heritage and culture that should be celebrated and valued. The fact that they are often not, points to deep seated prejudices that should be positively challenged.
Iriss Insight 34

Social workers' communication with children and young people in practice

This insight presents what research tells us about social workers’ communication with children and young people in everyday practice. It also introduces key findings from a UK-wide study of social workers’ communication with children and young…

Latest news

Outcomes tool

Outcomes & CO. Tell us what you think

Have you used our Outcomes & CO tool? We’d love to hear what you thought of the tool, how it was (or will be) used and any other feedback you’d like to share. Your feedback will inform further developments and will help us understand the…
Social Services Awards

Celebrating Social Services Awards

Held in June at Crieff Hydro, the Social Services Awards 2017 celebrated the breadth of inspiring and life-changing work carried out by the sector. From the 155 organisations, teams and individuals who entered, to the final ten winners, everyone has…
Health and Social Care Standards

Play a part in implementation of new Health and Social Care Standards

This year, Iriss is working with the new Standards for Health and Social Care Implementation Team to help test out some of the standards in practice. We are working to build an evidence base that bridges the new standards with practice in a variety…

Three things: Fathers

Father and son at beach

Good practice with fathers in children and family services

Key points Society expects and gets more from fathers today The contribution that fathers can make to the lives of children and families is substantial Mothers continue to be the focus of children…
Gary Clapton

Iriss on… good practice with fathers

Gary Clapton, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Edinburgh spoke to Kerry Musselbrook from Iriss about what being a good father means to him, and tells us about the Iriss Insight (…
Father and child camping

The Dads' Group

This case study is part of This is Where it Starts, a collection of eight case studies on work with children and parents in early years. Case study five. Background The Douglas Family Support…

New on Iriss.fm

Iriss.fm

The Care Collective

Iriss.fm, Episode 186
Michael McEwan speaks to Ruth Gallagher (Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire), Lynn Wardle (Thrive) and Colette Walker (…
Iriss.fm

Hidden disabilities: Joseph Delaney

Iriss.fm, Episode 185
Michael McEwan speaks to Joseph Delaney about growing up with a 'hidden disability'. Joseph is on the autistic…
Iriss.fm

Hidden disabilities: Ryan Fleming

Iriss.fm, Episode 184
Michael McEwan speaks to Ryan Fleming about growing up with a 'hidden disability'. Ryan is on the autistic spectrum…
Iriss.fm

Secure care in Scotland

Iriss.fm, Episode 183
The second of two episodes to celebrate the Festival of Residential Child Care 2017. Debbie Nolan, Centre for Youth…