Participatory action research (PAR) research: critical methodological considerations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore a range of key deliberations with regards to adopting Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Privileged Access Interviewer (PAI) approaches and methodologies within research on substance use Design/methodology/approach This paper is a reflective piece, it adopts a mixture of applied practice and theory considerations. These conceptualisations capture what are still relatively early understandings and uses of such methodologies, acquired across several decades of research and service provision experiences. The paper is structured around some of the sequences of the research process and as such provides a broad framework for such approaches. Findings PAR and PAI approaches utilise several key theoretical considerations. There are many critical issues associated with adopting these approaches, including those of ethics, funding, involvement, language, resources and support. Three key principle reasons (moral, political and research based), help explain why we should see more adoption of such approaches in substance use related research. Research limitations/implications This paper represents author views which are by their nature very subjective. Practical implications Implementation of the key considerations highlighted within this paper can lead to an active adoption of PAR and PAI methodologies within alcohol and drug research. Increasing the use of such methodologies will allow commissioners, researchers and service providers to develop a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of and responses to alcohol and drug use. Originality/value This paper captures critical conversations at a time of increased calls for service user involvement across all aspects of alcohol and other drug provision, including evaluation and research

Entering into, departing from and working within the psychiatric domain

This article is a Festschrift contribution which maps out the similarities in the career trajectories of Professor Peter Huxley and myself. It begins by exploring the key considerations of our common profession; social work, and its relationship with mental health. It then explores how a social orientation has enable us to reframe understandings of dual diagnosis. The second half of the article then explores the key lesson learnt from these interactions. The findings of the contribution are centred around the need for better understanding of the social detriments of mental health and substance use. In reaching these conclusions, the article summarises the importance of seeing individuals for the problems they encounter and working with them in partnership to arrive at more empowered responses

Social care legislation as an act of integration

The purpose of this paper is to investigate health and social care integration in North Wales in a short window of time between the assent of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and its implementation in 2016

Reflections on Student, Service User and Carer Involvement in Social Work Research

This article will reflect on the experience of undertaking a participatory action research influenced study within a module of a social work degree programme. In doing so it will touch on some of the literature associated with student, service user and carer involvement in qualifying programmes, and in particular on research and module design. It will outline the history of service user and carer involvement in respect of a specific module within a singular degree course. It will provide an overview and some findings of the study, which sought to evaluate the involvement of an inherent service user and carer group within that degree course. However, as service user and carer involvement within degree programmes has had significant attention within the wider literature, the current study seeks to present a reflexive commentary on student, service user and carer involvement in research modules and participatory action research. Whilst the research presented here should be regarded as an initial foray with acknowledged limitations, it equally highlights some perspectives that lead to an understanding of how greater levels of student, service user and carer involvement within social work research might be achieved, in particular in the context of social work qualifying programmes

A new distance learning national framework for social work continuing education: critical reflections on the first phases of implementation

This article utilizes a range of secondary research methodologies to explore the challenges and opportunities that have arisen from the establishment and first years of delivery of a new single and predominantly distant learning national post-qualifying framework. The continuing professional education and learning (CPEL) framework is directly commissioned by the professional regulator Social Care Wales, provided by an alliance of four universities (Bangor, Cardiff, Glyndwr and Swansea) and actively involves employers, practitioners and service users in their development. Critical reflections on the early implementation of the Experienced, Senior and Consultant Programs that contribute to the CPEL framework will help understand the key characteristics, challenges and opportunities post-qualifying education for social workers can bring. The article commences with an analysis of the moves to design a national post-qualification framework that is more accessible, flexible and responsive than the previous patchwork quilt set-up, including an examination of the increased role of distance learning and the teaching methodologies that support it. It then critically summarizes the specific context and developments of the CPEL framework. This is followed by substantive analyses of the key messages. These messages are of the value of; provider collaboration, quality of e-learning experience, employer commitment and student-perceived competence/satisfaction

Adapting existing behaviour: perceptions of substance switching and implementation of minimum pricing for alcohol in Wales

Minimum Pricing for Alcohol (MPA) was enacted in Wales on March 2nd 2020. During the legislative process (i.e. consultation and parliamentary discussion), concern was expressed about the possibility of some drinkers switching to using other substances in response to any rise in the cost of alcohol. This paper reports on findings from a study which explored these pre-implementation concerns and how the policy was shaped. The research involved surveys (n=193) and interviews (n=87) with drinkers (predominantly harmful or treatment seeking) and providers of services. Survey responses were detailed, thus when combined with the interviews, provided a wealth of qualitative data, which are drawn upon in this paper. The findings highlight an expectation that most drinkers would respond to the new policy with adaptations of their coping mechanisms to maintain alcohol use at pre-legislative levels. This was either by switching alcohol products and adjusting their lifestyle to maintain an affordable drinking habit or developing new behaviours to manage additional costs. A small group of those with previous experience of drug use were identified as likely to switch from using alcohol to some other substances. Prior to the legislation being implemented awareness of the detail of the policy was found to be low, and perceptions of increased potential harm for certain groups were linked to concern about a lack of treatment capacity

Assessing the early influence of COVID-19 in an analysis of the immediate implementation of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol on drinkers in Wales

Background: The Welsh Government has commissioned a number of projects to consider the influence their implementation of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol (MPA) legislation in March 2020 had on the alcohol consumption and related behaviours of drinkers. Given the MPA's overlap with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown measures and restrictions, this rapidly became a story about the early impact of COVID-19 as it did MPA. This paper captures the core thematic messages from this specific strand of work, and in doing so reflects on (1) how early experiences of COVID-19 and the first lockdown influenced consumption and purchasing of alcohol behaviours and, in turn, (2) how relevant the introduction of MPA was for any of these. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone with 32 drinkers 9 months after the implementation of the legislation in March 2020. The sample was recruited from three sources: the National Survey for Wales; a third sector organisation offering housing support to the homeless; and through an online survey on MPA. Results: COVID-19 had more relevance than MPA to drinkers. Furthermore, when MPA did have an influence on their behaviour, it was felt most keenly by the harmful drinkers in the study. These drinkers described spending more on alcohol, switching to other potentially more harmful substances, such as crack cocaine and synthetic cannabinoids, and more involvement in acquisitive crime and begging after the price increase. While our results might be an early indication of the influence of MPA on harmful drinkers, the small sample of this group in our study limits the generalisability of the findings. Conclusion: To date, the implementation of MPA has had little influence on the drinking patterns or lives of the drinkers in our sample. It is important that future research examines the longer-term influences of MPA before any conclusions on its effectiveness can be drawn

Assessing the Impact of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol on the Wider Population of Drinkers - Baseline

This report focuses on the assessment of impact on the wider population of drinkers and presents findings from research conducted prior to the implementation of minimum price for alcohol (MPA) in Wales. The findings provide an important baseline that can be used to monitor the impact of MPA on the wider population of drinkers in Wales post-implementation of the legislation

Assessing Impact of COVID-19 and the Early Impact of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol on the Wider Population of Drinkers

This report represents one of four on going studies commissioned by Welsh Government to evaluate Minimum Pricing of Alcohol legislation introduced into Wales in Mar 2020. This report focuses on the assessment of impact on the wider population of drinkers and presents findings from research conducted nine months post-implementation of MPA in Wales (the second wave of the evaluation). The findings provide an important account of the early impact of MPA on drinkers in the wider population as well as the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown

Assessing the Impact of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol on the Wider Population of Drinkers – Interim Findings

In May 2018, Welsh Government issued a specification for an evaluation that would assess the process and impact of the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol (MPA) in Wales. The contract was split into four ‘lots’: (1) a contribution analysis, (2) work with retailers, (3) qualitative work with services and service users, and (4) an assessment of impact on the wider population of drinkers. Three of the contracts (Lots 1, 3 and 4) were awarded to a consortium of researchers based at the University of South Wales, Glyndwr University Wrexham and Figure 8 Consultancy1 . Lot 2 was awarded to the National Centre for Social Research. This report focuses on the assessment of impact on the wider population of drinkers and presents findings from research conducted two years postimplementation of the legislation. The findings provide an important interim assessment of the impact of MPA on the wider population of drinkers in Wales. This report is based on data gathered from drinkers across Wales using an online questionnaire survey and through in-depth qualitative interviews