Supporting low income working families: enabling resilience. MUSSI Working Paper No 2

This study investigated the experiences and resilience practices of low-income families receiving Family Income Supplement. The research was carried out using a sequential mixed-method approach with an emphasis on the qualitative phase of the study. Key findings include: FIS enables resilience by supporting work FIS recipients must balance working with complex caring responsibilities Precarious employment creates challenges for FIS recipients Many FIS recipients feel disconnected from sources of information and help

Supporting low income working families: enabling resilience. MUSSI Working Paper No 2

This study investigated the experiences and resilience practices of low-income families receiving Family Income Supplement. The research was carried out using a sequential mixed-method approach with an emphasis on the qualitative phase of the study. Key findings include: FIS enables resilience by supporting work FIS recipients must balance working with complex caring responsibilities Precarious employment creates challenges for FIS recipients Many FIS recipients feel disconnected from sources of information and help

Experiencing visual impairment in a lifetime home: an interpretative phenomenological inquiry

Lifetime home standards (LTHS) are a set of standards aimed at making homes more accessible. Previous research, however, indicates that LTHS do not adequately meet the needs of those with sensory impairments. Now, with visual impairment set to increase globally and acknowledging the recognised link between quality of dwelling and wellbeing, this article aims to examine the experiences of visually impaired people living in lifetime homes. The objectives are to investigate existing lifetime homes and to identify whether LTHS meet occupants’ needs. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out with six visually impaired people living in homes designed to LTHS in Northern Ireland. Collected data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis identifying three super-ordinate themes: (1) living with visual impairment; (2) design considerations and (3) coping strategies. A core theme of balance between psychological and physical needs emerged through interconnection of super-ordinate themes. Although there are benefits to living in lifetime homes, negative aspects are also apparent with occupants employing several coping strategies to overcome difficulties. Whilst residents experience negative emotions following visual impairment diagnoses, results suggest that occupants still regard their homes as key places of security and comfort in addition to then highlighting the need for greater consideration of specific individual needs within general guidelines

Supporting low income working families: enabling resilience. MUSSI Working Paper No 2

This study investigated the experiences and resilience practices of low-income families receiving Family Income Supplement. The research was carried out using a sequential mixed-method approach with an emphasis on the qualitative phase of the study. Key findings include: FIS enables resilience by supporting work FIS recipients must balance working with complex caring responsibilities Precarious employment creates challenges for FIS recipients Many FIS recipients feel disconnected from sources of information and help

Supporting low income working families: enabling resilience. MUSSI Working Paper No 2

This study investigated the experiences and resilience practices of low-income families receiving Family Income Supplement. The research was carried out using a sequential mixed-method approach with an emphasis on the qualitative phase of the study. Key findings include: FIS enables resilience by supporting work FIS recipients must balance working with complex caring responsibilities Precarious employment creates challenges for FIS recipients Many FIS recipients feel disconnected from sources of information and help

Exploring ethnic data collection for the Child and Family Agency

This research aims to assist Tusla - Child and Family Agency in identifying current legislative, policy contexts and obligations to develop an ethically appropriate, legal ethnic data collection system that adheres to a human rights framework. The project consists of three main objectives: a) Identify the legislative and policy context within which Tusla can develop an ethnic data collection system. b) To establish best practice guidelines for Tusla in ethnic data collection methods and systems. c) To ensure that Tusla s information systems (IS) can apply best practice to inform service improvement.peer-reviewe

Changing family dynamics and in-work benefits

Internationally, in-work benefits (IWBs) are widely adopted as a measure to assist parents transitioning to work and to ‘make work pay’ for low-income families. The family income supplement (FIS) is an Irish IWB, introduced at a time of rapid societal change. This article shows how changing family dynamics, and a shift in policy focus towards a ‘work-first’ approach, challenged the original values underlying FIS. We discuss FIS in the context of changes to family life and social policy. We then outline the results of ten interviews with experts using three themes: work-first approach; child poverty and encouraging care. Our analysis shows that policymakers faced new challenges to provide an income support for children while also promoting full-time labour participation. FIS continues to support working families, but in a manner that creates contradictions for the contemporary ‘work-first’ approach. It is necessary to re-examine FIS in relation to its wider policy context and to address requirements for caring

Meeting the needs of visually impaired people living in lifetime homes

This article explores perceptions on the suitability and effectiveness of Lifetime Homes standards (LTHS) for those with visual impairment in Northern Ireland. LTHS are a series of mandatory United Kingdom public-sector housing design interventions, providing a model for ensuring accessible and adaptable homes throughout an occupant's life span. An aging demographic with increasing incidence of diabetes has led to rising numbers of elderly, visually impaired people wanting to remain in their homes for longer. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 key stakeholders and thematically analyzed. Although findings show that employing LTHS offers benefits to visually impaired residents, shortcomings were also identified. Evidence indicates a need for policy makers, health-care professionals, and housing associations to modify practices to better meet the housing needs of visually impaired people. Findingsmay also be applicable to those with other impairments and disabilities in relation to housing for elderly residents

Meeting the needs of visually impaired people living in lifetime homes

This article explores perceptions on the suitability and effectiveness of Lifetime Homes standards (LTHS) for those with visual impairment in Northern Ireland. LTHS are a series of mandatory United Kingdom public-sector housing design interventions, providing a model for ensuring accessible and adaptable homes throughout an occupant\u27s life span. An aging demographic with increasing incidence of diabetes has led to rising numbers of elderly, visually impaired people wanting to remain in their homes for longer. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 key stakeholders and thematically analyzed. Although findings show that employing LTHS offers benefits to visually impaired residents, shortcomings were also identified. Evidence indicates a need for policy makers, health-care professionals, and housing associations to modify practices to better meet the housing needs of visually impaired people. Findingsmay also be applicable to those with other impairments and disabilities in relation to housing for elderly residents

The (in)adequacy of in-work benefits in Irish lone parent labour market activation policy

In-work benefits (IWBs) are important in 'making work pay' for many low-income families. We consider the adequacy of Family Income Supplement (FIS) for Irish lone parents transitioning from social protection to paid employment. Drawing on interviews with lone parents and with stakeholders, FIS enables some lone parents to meet basic needs and move towards financial independence, there were also difficulties, and many are financially better off remaining on social protection. There is a need, either for significant changes or for the introduction of an alternative IWB to meet the requirements of lone parents transitioning from social protection to ensure that they are not living in poverty