UKCES: Understanding Human Centred Management

The Understanding Human Centred Management Project is a research project funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills to investigate the effectiveness of a behavioural framework on the communication and decision making of supply chains.The Human Centred Management project was required to solve the problem of supply chain inefficiencies brought about by unproductive human behaviours. Specifically, the project sought to used Behavioural Economics to improve the decisions made by making people aware of their illogical ‘Biases’ and ‘Heuristics’. Use of Transactional Analysis to make people more aware of their impressions and their audience to reduce antagonism in communication. Combine these methods using Behavioural Management Theory to create one unified approach which will create a 21st century solution to behavioural inefficiencies. The project primarily targeted two supply chains, led by two larger or ‘Prime’ organisations that had SME’s feeding the production process. The two supply chains underwent a number of interventions in the form of one-to-one sessions, workshops, master classes and simulations, in order to understand and influence the behavioural inefficiencies they were suffering. An Action Research methodology was used to both provide a flexible approach and also generate qualitative data. Before each intervention, questionnaire data and in some cases a behavioural health check was carried out in order to gain baseline data. Once complete the same questionnaires were completed and interviews with key participants were carried out. The interventions were a success producing a large amount of positive change and behavioural insights for analysis. Such improvements included dramatically improving the supply chain communication leading to claims of improved supply chain effectiveness over all, development of closer ties between supply chains in a geographically separated area and improved logical decision making where managers are aware of their biases and take the time to reflect on all the options. The three areas of psychology introduced proved to combine extremely well, complimenting one another’s weaker areas in order to produce the unified approach envisaged. Behavioural Economics was found to be an excellent analytical tool capable of deconstructing the root causes of behaviours. Transactional Analysis provided a suite of easily implementable and practical techniques for improving communication. Behavioural Management Theory provided a flexible approach to implementing the changes required. From the experience of the project and analysis of the data a Behavioural Framework was generated in order to allow other supply chains to benefit from this effective 21st century solution to behavioural inefficiencies.UK Commission for Employment and Skill

Evolutionary feminism in late-victorian women’s poetry:Mathilde Blind, Constance Naden, and May Kendall

In recent years, feminist critics have moved from focusing on the misogynistic aspects of late-Victorian evolutionary science to recognising that many women found liberating possibilities within this science. However, most studies of evolution and gender in New Woman writing have concentrated on serious novels. This thesis is the first full-length study of representations of evolution in women’s poetry. Focusing predominantly on the work of Mathilde Blind, Constance Naden and May Kendall, I examine how the depiction of evolution in women’s poetry of the 1880s and 1890s, particularly comic poetry, responds to the conclusions of professional scientists about the application of evolutionary theory to human society. By reading the poetry in the context of contemporary scientific works, in books and periodicals, I demonstrate that, unlike many social Darwinists, who used evolutionary theory to reinforce the status quo, these poets found aspects within Darwin’s work that could be used to disrupt assumptions about natural femininity and to argue for the necessity of social change. The themes examined in this thesis include change, the blurring of boundaries and undermining of hierarchies, the association of white women with people of other races in scientific discourse, and Darwin’s representation of women’s sexual and reproductive role

A prospective cohort study assessing clinical referral management & workforce allocation within a UK regional medical genetics service

Abstract Ensuring patient access to genomic information in the face of increasing demand requires clinicians to develop innovative ways of working. This paper presents the first empirical prospective observational cohort study of UK multi-disciplinary genetic service delivery. It describes and explores collaborative working practices including the utilisation and role of clinical geneticists and non-medical genetic counsellors. Six hundred and fifty new patients referred to a regional genetics service were tracked through 850 clinical contacts until discharge. Referral decisions regarding allocation of lead health professional assigned to the case were monitored, including the use of initial clinical contact guidelines. Significant differences were found in the cases led by genetic counsellors and those led by clinical geneticists. Around a sixth, 16.8% (109/650) of referrals were dealt with by a letter back to the referrer or re-directed to another service provider and 14.8% (80/541) of the remaining patients chose not to schedule an appointment. Of the remaining 461 patients, genetic counsellors were allocated as lead health professional for 46.2% (213/461). A further 61 patients did not attend. Of those who did, 86% (345/400) were discharged after one or two appointments. Genetic counsellors contributed to 95% (784/825) of total patient contacts. They provided 93.7% (395/432) of initial contacts and 26.8% (106/395) of patients were discharged at that point. The information from this study informed a planned service re-design. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of different models of collaborative multi-disciplinary working within genetics services. Keywords (MeSH terms) Genetic Services, Genetic Counseling, Interdisciplinary Communication, Cohort Studies, Delivery of Healthcare, Referral and Consultation

Hidden Voices: Journeying towards trauma-informed practices in community music

Trauma, as a global phenomenon, affects individuals and communities, leaving deep-rooted impacts. The effects of traumatic experience are not always visible and can be masked through social and cultural constructs, as well as an individual’s inability to speak the unspeakable. This thesis is based on the assertion that across the multiplicity of contexts in which community music takes place, prior traumatic experience is statistically likely to have affected many participants. Additionally, many community music practices operate in spaces where participants have been marginalised, stigmatised, and oppressed. This thesis therefore sets out the proposition that trauma-informed practice is a necessary consideration for facilitators to promote safe and responsive practices. The five values of trauma-informed care create the conceptual lens, with notions of safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment, and choice integrated throughout the research process, design, methodology, and data analysis. Explorations for this thesis revealed a significant gap in critically reflective research around trauma-informed community music practice. Theoretical understandings of trauma-informed practice are varied, and the concept has unhelpfully become a buzzword in recent years. To respond to the guiding research question - what is trauma-informed practice and how might it be applied to facilitated music making? - the research design utilises Case Study Research with critical examination of contemporary music-making projects offering insight into both formalised structures of trauma-informed practice and projects where there has been little or no engagement. Findings suggest an inconsistency of approaches, and that against the changing global landscape, it is no longer sufficient to ignore the potential for participants’ experience of prior trauma within community music practices. Trauma-informed practice is found to be the most effective when contextually driven and responsive to the specific needs of individuals and communities. Conclusions suggest that, with an integrated mantra of do no harm traumainformed practice is an ethical response that can support music facilitators to sharpen their focus and learn how to attend to the hidden voices of their participants. The five values of trauma-informed care form an interconnected entity that can support application of musical, relational, and pedagogical aspects of practice. This thesis, therefore, aims to open constructive and critical dialogue around trauma-informed practice, and its application within community music

Emerging Voices: Working with women in the UK criminal justice system

Working effectively with women within the UK criminal justice system necessitates a sensitive and informed approach to working with participants within this challenging context. For community musicians working within such settings, adopting gender-responsive and trauma-informed practice is key in building constructive relationships within which creativity can flourish. This paper will examine the weekly singing and songwriting project, Emerging Voices, which has developed out of the York St John University Prison Partnership Project. The foundational concepts of trauma-informed community music practice are explored both as a set of values and as a basis for practice. Emerging themes from the first year of the project include improved emotional wellbeing, personal and creative skills development, and creation of positive social cohesion. Keywords: trauma-informed practice, safe space, building trust in relationship, negotiated practice, creative collaboration, empowerment through songwriting

Report of Relax Kids programme Service Evaluation

Children’s well-being can be thought of as a dynamic process in which a child’s external circumstances such as their socio-economic background, family circumstances, and physical surroundings are constantly interacting with their individual characteristics such as their personality and cognitive ability to satisfy their needs. The well-being of children is seen as an important aspect of the overall well-being of the nation. There are currently around 12 million children residing in the United Kingdom (UK) representing 20% of the overall population. It is important to measure children’s well-being, as poor well-being can impact on the psycho social development of a child and research can help practitioners shape services to improve future outcomes for children

Evaluation Report of the County Durham Real Time Suspected Suicide Early Alert System

Suicide is a major public health concern with an estimated 877,000 people taking their own lives each year world-wide, representing 1.5% of the global disease burden with 4,727 people taking their own lives in England in 2013. Whilst the there was a downward trend in suicide rates in the United Kingdom from 1981 to 2007 the suicide rate has begun to gradually increase in recent years

Evaluation of the .b Mindfulness in schools program

This report is to update SMT on the results of the co-production evaluation of the .b Mindfulness in Schools project in County Durham. This report outlines recommendations for the future delivery of this service