10 research outputs found
Acquisition and retention of DNA and fingerprint data in Scotland
This review examines the current legislation and practices in relation to the acquisition and retention of fingerprint and DNA data in Scotland. Three main issues were under consideration: given that law and practice in relation to DNA and fingerprints differs, should these be brought into line? For those who have criminal proceedings initiated against them for relevant sexual or violent offences but are not convicted; is the current regime for temporary retention of samples appropriate and effective? In relation to individuals who are dealt with by Children's Hearings for relevant sexual or violent offences, is the current law (which does not provide for the sampling or retention of forensic data) appropriate
Improving the education of looked after children : a guide for local authorities and service providers
This guide for practice is based on the key findings of research of Scottish Government-funded pilot projects in 18 Scottish local authorities carried out by the University of Strathclyde between 2006 and 2008. The guide focuses on four aspects of practice: raising the profile of looked after children; monitoring educational outcomes; advice on setting up a project with the aim of raising the educational attainment and achievement of looked after children; focusing on achievement and aspiration
'Nae too bad': job satisfaction and staff morale in Scottish residential child care
In 2003, the National Children's Bureau and the Social Education Trust published a report - Better Than You Think -on staff morale, qualifications and retention in residential child care in England (Mainey, 2003a; Mainey, 2003b). It found that levels of morale and job satisfaction were not low despite the adverse environment in which residential care operates. Residential care in the modern world is intended to be mainly a temporary placement for some of the most demanding young people who need to be looked after and accommodated. The sector also continues to struggle with the aftermath of a number of high profile public inquiries of the abuse of children and young people in residential care (Kent, 1997; Marshall, Jamieson & Finlayson, 1999; Utting, 1997; Waterhouse, 2000). Residential child care in Scotland is under pressure to improve standards of care in a climate of negative media attention and public suspicion. It was in this context that the Social Education Trust funded a parallel study of job satisfaction and staff morale in Scotland (Milligan, Kendrick & Avan, 2004)
A baseline study of domestic abuse prevention activities in seven local authorities in Scotland
This report creates the first baseline of domestic abuse prevention work in a sample of seven Scottish local authorities. The focus of the study is on primary prevention. This is work with children and young people which is aimed at preventing violence before it happens. There is some interlinking with secondary prevention, which is work that targets women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. The study locates these activities in the context of recommendations made by Jane Ellis in her review of prevention evidence (Scottish Government 2008). It also pays particular attention to the National Domestic Abuse Delivery Plan for Children and Young People (Scottish Government 2008) and the emerging Curriculum for Excellence. The study was commissioned by the National Children and Young People's Prevention Network. It is the companion to A Report on the Evaluation of the 'Why Create a Drama'? Project which evaluates the impact of a forum theatre production on the theme of domestic abuse presented in schools by Baldy Bane Theatre Company
New primary production in northwest European shelf seas, 1960–2003
Spatial and temporal patterns from 1960 to 2003 in annual potential new primary production (PNP) of the NW European shelf seas were derived from general additive models of nitrate concentrations and from data on riverine and atmospheric fluxes of oxidized nitrogen. Average PNP was highest in the seasonally stratified outer shelf regions (>70 gC m-2 yr-1), where the proportion of PNP accounted for by vertical fluxes from deep water (>65%) was correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. PNP was lowest in the central North Sea (~30 gC m-2 yr-1) and in the southern North Sea was correlated with river inputs that accounted for 24% of the annual total (average ~50 gC m-2 yr-1). Atmospheric deposition accounted for ~3% of annual PNP region-wide, but in the northern North Sea this was higher than the contribution from rivers. Tidal fronts are traditionally considered to be highly productive zones, but we find them to have characteristically low PNP and conclude that they must be loci of high recycled production. The results indicate an exceptional flux of nitrate-rich ocean water onto the shelf in the early 1990s, which resulted in a pulse of PNP coincident with a well-documented 'regime shift' in the pelagic food web. North Sea-wide, long-term average PNP was approximately equal to production by all higher trophic levels combined, though trophic propagation of inter-annual variations was weakly defined. Nevertheless, there is a case for proposing that harvesting in areas and periods of low PNP should be managed more conservatively to minimize the risk of detrimental effects on the food web
A model of meta-population dynamics for North Sea and West of Scotland cod - the dynamic consequences of natal fidelity
It is clear from a variety of data that cod (Gadus morhua) in the North Sea do not constitute a homogeneous population that will rapidly redistribute in response to local variability in exploitation. Hence, local exploitation has the potential to deplete local populations, perhaps to the extent that depensation occurs and recovery is impossible without recolonisation from other areas, with consequent loss of genetic diversity. The oceanographic, biological and behavioural processes which maintain the spatial population structures are only partly understood, and one of the key unknown factors is the extent to which codexhibit homing migrations to natal spawning areas. Here, we describe a model comprising 10 interlinked demes of cod in European waters, each representing groups of fish with a common natal origin. The spawning locations of fish in each deme are governed by a variety of rules concerning oceanographic dispersal, migration behaviour and straying. We describe numerical experiments with the model and comparisons with observations, which lead us to conclude that active homing is probably not necessary to explain some of the population structures of European cod. Separation of some sub-populations is possible through distance and oceanographic processes affecting the dispersal of eggs and larvae. However, other evidence suggests that homing may be a necessary behaviour to explain the structure of other sub-populations. Theconsequences for fisheries management of taking into account spatial population structuring are complicated. For example, recovery or recolonisation strategies require consideration not only of mortality rates in the target area for restoration, but also in the source areas for the recruits which may be far removed depending on the oceanography. The model has an inbuilt capability to address issues concerning the effects of climate change, including temperature change, on spatial patterns of recruitment, development and population structure in cod
Universal screening for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus : interim results from the NHS Scotland pathfinder project
Following recommendations from a Health Technology Assessment (HTA), a prospective cohort study of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening of all admissions (N = 29 690) to six acute hospitals in three regions in Scotland indicated that 7.5% of patientswere colonised on admission to hospital. Factors associated with colonisation included re-admission, specialty of admission (highest in nephrology, care of the elderly, dermatology and vascular surgery), increasing age, and the source of admission (care home or other hospital). Three percent of all those who were identified as colonised developed hospital-associated MRSA infection, compared with only 0.1% of those not colonised. Specialtieswith a high rate of colonisation on admission also had higher rates of MRSA infection. Very few patients refused screening (11 patients, 0.03%) or had treatment deferred (14 patients, 0.05%). Several organisational issues were identified, including difficulties in achieving complete uptake of screening (88%) or decolonisation (41%); the latter was largely due to short duration of stay and turnaround time for test results. Patient movement resulted in a decision to decontaminate all positive patients rather than just those in high risk specialties as proposed by the HTA. Issues also included a lack of isolation facilities to manage patients with MRSA. The study raises significant concerns about the contribution of decolonisation to reducing risks in hospital due to short duration of stay, and reinforces the central role of infection control precautions. Further study is required before the HTA model can be re-run and conclusions redrawn on the cost and clinical effectiveness of universal MRSA screening
Spaces of Labour-Re-imagining a Productive Landscape for Scotland
Intended to provoke a debate about the relationship between industrial heritage, working class history and the future of a Scottish Economy based on a vibrant and innovative industrial and agricultural sector
Beyond a graduate workforce: developing a European masters in early childhood
The early years workforce is in the midst of professionalisation; in many cases moving towards a graduate-led workforce. In Europe this is reflected by the introduction of a new Masters in Early Childhood. Aline-Wendy Dunlop discusses the implications for Scotland when looking beyond a graduate-level workforce and considering how to provide ongoing professional development opportunities
The impact on the Scottish economy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland
This project uses an experimental energy-economy-environment computable general equilibrium ( CGE) model of the Scottish economy ( AMOSENVI) to conduct illustrative simulations of the economic and environmental impacts of various options to reduce the generation of CO2 emissions (as the main greenhouse gas) in Scotland. These simulations are illustrative in nature because the process of appropriate database development and model specification for a comprehensive and accurate analysis of climate change policy issues for Scotland, while advanced relative to many regional (and even national) economies, is still in its very early stages. One of the key objectives of this project is to illustrate the potential value-added to Scotland's analytical capacity if further investment is made (by both the policy community, particularly in terms of data provision, and the research community, with public support, for example by seeking support from the research councils) in developing an appropriate CGE modelling framework