Insights

Explores the impact of welfare reform – in a climate of austerity and cuts – on key client groups and its consequent effect on the social services workforce in Scotland.

Defines what peer support roles are and what they mean for services and the evidence for their use in mental health services.

Summarises key research evidence around supervision in social work and social care and draws out implications for practice.

Examines the relationship between homelessness and offending, the impact of prison, key challenges and messages for practice.

Explores the growing emphasis being placed on the relationships of children and young people in care.

Summarises the evidence in this challenging area of work and aims to support practitioners to reflect on their practice in this context.

Seeks to explore the evidence base in respect of housing with care and support, in particular extra care provision, and the extent to which the range of models embraced by this term provide an effective alternative to residential and nursing care.

Evidence summary which looks at the prevention of isolation and loneliness, with a particular focus on what practitioners should bear in mind.

Based on a report prepared for ADSW at the time of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill, this Insight seeks to distill key evidence to assist health and social care partnerships in Scotland in their delivery of integrated care and support.

Explores what story and storytelling is, and whether autobiographical, first-person storytelling has a valuable impact on practice, and can engender positive, meaningful change for individuals who access support. It examines how storytelling has been used across social services to date, considers its value, and highlights some considerations for those creating and using stories.