Reclaiming social work? an evaluation of systemic units as an approach to delivering children’s services

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the systemic unit model as an approach to the delivery of Children‘s Social Services. The systemic unit model has sometimes been referred to as the ―Hackney Model‖ or ―Reclaiming Social Work‖ (Cross et al, 2010; Munro, 2011a; Trowler and Goodman, 2012). The evaluation is an in-depth comparative description of practice and the factors shaping it in three local authorities. One of the authorities used the systemic unit model; the other two authorities differed but both had a more conventional model for the structure of services. This involved individual allocation to social workers who received supervision from a line manager

A randomized controlled trial of training in Motivational Interviewing for child protection.

There has been interest in developing more evidence-based approaches to child and family social work in the UK in recent years. This study examines the impact of a skills development package of training and supervision in Motivational Interviewing (MI) on the skills of social workers and the engagement of parents through a randomized controlled trial. All workers in one local authority were randomly assigned to receive the package (n = 28) or control (n = 33). Families were then randomized to trained (n = 67) or untrained (n = 98) workers. Family meetings with the worker shortly after allocation were evaluated for MI skill. Research interviews gathered data including the WAI. Follow-up interviews 20 weeks later repeated the WAI, and other outcome measures including Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and rating of family life. Between group analysis found statistically significant difference in MI skills, though these were not substantial (2.49 in control, 2.91 MI trained, p = .049). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in any other outcome measures. The package of training and supervision did not create sufficient increase in MI skills to influence engagement or outcomes. Implications for understanding the relationship between skills, engagement and organizational change are discussed

'Vulnerability' to human trafficking : a study of Viet Nam, Albania, Nigeria and the UK: report of a shared learning event in Tirana, Albania, 24-26 October 2017

Report describes the first stages of an ethically-led, two year research study into understanding the causes, dynamics, 'vulnerabilities' to and capabilities against human trafficking in three source countries - Albania, Viet Nam and Nigeria. The focus of this report is on Viet Nam, detailing emergent themese following a two-day Shared Learning Event held in Tirana, Albania between 24-26 October 2017

'Vulnerability' to human trafficking : a study of Viet Nam, Albania, Nigeria and the UK: report of a shared learning event in Lagos, Nigeria, 17-18 January 2018

Report describes the first stages of an ethically-led, two year research study into understanding the causes, dynamics, 'vulnerabilities' to and capabilities against human trafficking in three source countries - Viet Nam, Albania and Nigeria. The focus of this report is on Viet Nam, detailing emergent themese following a two-day Shared Learning Event held in Lagos, Nigeria, between 17-18 January 2018.

'Between two fires' : understanding vulnerabilities and the support needs of people from Albania, Viet Nam and Nigeria who have experienced human trafficking into the UK

Final report of a two-year research study into understanding the causes, dynamics and 'vulnerabilities' to human trafficking in three source countries - Albania, Viet Nam and Nigeria - plus the support needs of people from these countries who have experienced trafficking to the UK. The study was carried out as a partnership between the University of Bedfordshire and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

'Vulnerability' to human trafficking : a study of Viet Nam, Albania, Nigeria and the UK: report of a shared learning event held in Hanoi, Viet Nam 6-7 December 2017

Report describes the first stages of an ethically-led, two year research study into understanding the causes, dynamics, 'vulnerabilities' to and capabilities against human trafficking in three source countries - Viet Nam, Albania and Nigeria. The focus of this report is on Viet Nam, detailing emergent themese following a two-day Shared Learning Event held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, between 6-7 December 2017

A Retrospective Investigation of Thiamin and Energy Intakes Following an Outbreak of Beriberi in the Gambia

In the early part of the rainy season in 1988, an outbreak of beriberi occurred in free-living adults in a relatively small area in the North Bank region of The Gambia. In 1995 we selected two compounds in a village called Chilla situated within the affected district to retrospectively examine dietary factors potentially contributing to the outbreak. There had previously been cases of beriberi in one compound (BBC) but not in the other (NBC). We measured energy and thiamin intakes for four days on six occasions during the year. We calculated energy and thiamin intakes of people living in the two compounds and foods were collected for thiamin analysis through the year. Thiamin:Energy ratios only met international recommendations in the immediate post‑harvest season when energy and thiamin intakes were highest and then fell through the year. In the rainy season when food was short and labour was heaviest, energy intakes were lower in the NBC but thiamin:energy ratios were lower in BBC. Records of rainfall in 1988 collected near the village indicated that the amount in August was twice the average. We suggest the heavy rainfall may have increased farm workload and reduced income from outside-village work activity. The lower energy intakes in the NBC may have forced adults to rest thus sparing thiamin demands and delaying onset of beriberi. In contrast, the higher energy intake of adults in the BBC may have enabled them to continue working, thus increasing demands for thiamin and inducing the earlier onset of beriberi

'Vulnerability' to human trafficking: a study of Viet Nam, Albania, Nigeria and the UK : literature review

Literature Review

Evaluation of independent child trafficking advocates trial: final report

This report presents the findings from an evaluation of a 1 year trial of the independent child trafficking advocates

What is the relationship between worker skills and outcomes for families in child and family social work?

Communication skills are fundamental to social work, yet few studies have directly evaluated their impact. In this study, we explore the relationship between skills and outcomes in 127 families. An observation of practice was undertaken on the second or third meeting with a family. Practice quality was evaluated in relation to seven skills, which were grouped into three dimensions: relationship building, good authority and evocation of intrinsic motivation. Outcomes at approximately six months were parent-reported engagement (Working Alliance Inventory), Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), an eleven-point family life satisfaction rating, the Family Environment Scale and General Health Questionnaire and service outcomes from agency records including children entering care. Relationship-building skills predicted parent-reported engagement, although good authority and evocation had stronger relationships with outcome measures. Where workers visited families more often, relationships between skills and outcomes were stronger, in part because workers had more involvement and in part because these families were more likely to have significant problems. The relationship between skills and outcomes was complicated, although the findings provide encouraging evidence that key social work skills have an influence on outcomes for families