Tackling child neglect: key developments in Wales

This paper on child neglect policy and practice issues in Wales comprises three elements. First we introduce the topic in the context of current family support services that seek to offer early intervention to tackle, inter alia, child neglect and other not unconnected harms and adversities in childhood. Secondly, we set out key findings from a Welsh Government commissioned study into developing a multi-partner strategy for reducing child neglect across Wales. Thirdly, we conclude with a summary of critical ingredients that are likely to configure the development of a national response to neglect in Wales. Together these elements provide a snapshot of recent progress made in service development and strategic planning

Welcome to the modern world of pronouns: identity-inclusive Natural Language Processing beyond gender

The world of pronouns is changing. From a closed class of words with few members to a much more open set of terms to reflect identities. However, Natural Language Processing (NLP) is barely reflecting this linguistic shift, even though recent work outlined the harms of gender-exclusive language technology. Particularly problematic is the current modeling 3rd person pronouns, as it largely ignores various phenomena like neopronouns, i.e., pronoun sets that are novel and not (yet) widely established. This omission contributes to the discrimination of marginalized and underrepresented groups, e.g., non-binary individuals. However, other identity-expression phenomena beyond gender are also ignored by current NLP technology. In this paper, we provide an overview of 3rd person pronoun issues for NLP. Based on our observations and ethical considerations, we define a series of desiderata for modeling pronouns in language technology. We evaluate existing and novel modeling approaches w.r.t. these desiderata qualitatively, and quantify the impact of a more discrimination-free approach on established benchmark data

Case Study: Comparing the Impact of Children's Participation on Policy Making in Wales and Tamil Nadu

The central aim of the study was to identify and assess the impact of children's participation in decision making about public services at different levels of governance, with a view to testing whether devolution and the new models of governance operating in Wales since 1999 had created spaces that encompass children as 'active participants' in public decision making. Two international case studies were undertaken to allow a greater understanding of what might be possible in Wales and to gain insights into how processes and outcomes may be linked

An action research enquiry of third-level student employability competences through the implementation of a business strategy software simulation

This action research study investigates if using a business strategy software simulation in the teaching of an undergraduate strategic management module enhances business students' employability competences. Through a preparatory action research cycle, key employability competences are identified, and a suitable software simulation is selected following a structured selection process. In addition, through a process of programmatic review applying the concepts of both constructive alignment and assessment as learning, a module is created to integrate the simulation software. In two further implementation cycles of action research, data was gathered through structured researcher observation, student pre- and post-surveys and thematic analysis of student journals (second implementation cycle). Analysis of the data gathered identifies the improvement of students' employability competences through the use of strategy simulation software. Further discussion of findings identifies next steps and areas for further research. The employability of third-level graduates is much discussed and researched. The key stakeholders in this discussion are the student, the future employers and third-level institutions. Ensuring consistency of the various stakeholders’ expectations regarding the necessary competences and the best means of developing them is challenging. Graduate recruitment campaigns often expect more than discipline-specific technical knowledge, other more generic skills or soft skills known as employability competences are listed on graduate job requirements. This research identifies twelve key student employability competences. Students and third-level institutions are aware of the importance of these competences in securing first positions post-graduation and subsequent career development. In seeking to develop these employability competences third-level institutions have two approaches, one option is to create specific modules for this purpose. A more common solution is to build these competences into modules across degree programmes. This research follows this second approach and investigates if implementing a business strategy software simulation in a strategic management module helps enhance student employability competences

The relationship of adult attachment style and interactive conflict styles to marital satisfaction

This study examined the association between individual attachment and interactive conflict styles and the overall influence on marital satisfaction in 207 married individuals. The application of attachment theory to this study of adult romantic relationships was established via factor analysis and yielded two dimensions: self (anxiety) and other (avoidance). Accommodation and demand-withdraw were the two forms of conflict interaction studied, which, respectively, are constructive and destructive styles of engagement that impact marital satisfaction. Individuals completed self-report measures of attachment, accommodation, demand-withdraw and global marital satisfaction. The current study yielded statistically significant results and supported all of the research hypotheses. There were negative relationships found between the attachment dimensions of anxiety and avoidance and total accommodation, while positive relationships were determined between both attachment dimensions and demand-withdraw behaviors. In relationship to marital satisfaction, an individual's total accommodation was positively related, while demand-withdraw behaviors were inversely associated. There were also inverse relationships found between both the attachment dimensions and marital satisfaction. These findings suggest that the data are consistent with previous research on attachment, accommodation, demand-withdraw behavior and marital satisfaction. In addition to supporting prior findings, this study also had several unique contributions. A statistically significant relationship was found between the constructive and destructive conflict styles, which suggested total accommodation was associated with lower levels of demand-withdraw. In addition, a path model for the variables of attachment, accommodation, demand-withdraw and marital satisfaction was developed. This display of variables is especially useful in showing the bidirectionality of constructive and destructive behaviors in marriage. Research implications for these findings are presented and suggestions for future research are discussed

Tackling child neglect: key developments in Wales

This paper on child neglect policy and practice issues in Wales comprises three elements. First we introduce the topic in the context of current family support services that seek to offer early intervention to tackle, inter alia, child neglect and other not unconnected harms and adversities in childhood. Secondly, we set out key findings from a Welsh Government commissioned study into developing a multi-partner strategy for reducing child neglect across Wales. Thirdly, we conclude with a summary of critical ingredients that are likely to configure the development of a national response to neglect in Wales. Together these elements provide a snapshot of recent progress made in service development and strategic planning

Listen – Act – Change Council of Europe Handbook on children’s participation For professionals working for and with children

The old expression “children should be seen and not heard” suggests that, not that long ago, children’s opinions and wishes were not welcomed or valued. Important discussions had to be left to adults. Today, thanks to the amazing work of children and their advocates and efforts by many organisations supporting child participation, we know that children are not only capable of understanding complex situations, they are also able to trigger important actions and movements to improve the world. In 2014, Malala Yousafzai became the �rst child to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize recognising her unique contribution to the girls’ education cause against all odds. Although children’s participation is not new, this milestone in the recognition of the value of child participation and Malala’s story must inspire us to work harder to embed meaningful and safe child participation in our work and decisions, in particular if they directly affect children. As readers of this Handbook and professionals working with or for children, you certainly already know the high value of listening to children and acting on their ideas. Children’s participation brings many benefits to individuals and society. But beyond that, it is important to acknowledge that hearing children’s voices and taking their views into account is not optional. It is both a child’s human right and an expression of democracy. It is therefore high time to step up the implementation of children’s participation rights. Since coming into force over 30 years ago, Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has afirmed children’s right to express their views on all matters that affect them, and to have these properly taken into account. The Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/ Rec (2012)2 on the participation of children and young people under the age of 18 sought to make this right real and concrete in the member states of the Council of Europe. Our Organisation has also made major strides in embedding child participation in its work by ensuring that children can in�uence its standard-setting, monitoring and capacity building work and by bringing their impactful voices and powerful messages at its international events. The consecutive Council of Europe Strategies for the Rights of the Child have thrust forward actions to promote the participation of children in all settings. This Handbook therefore represents a substantive contribution to the current Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016 to 2021). This Handbook is for you: professionals of various backgrounds and training, working with or/and for children and directly or indirectly impacting their lives, in different settings. I trust you will feel inspired and will join the movement by taking bold steps to promote and practice child participation. Our aging society must make room for a committed and dynamic youth. The best way to make this happen is to safeguard children’s rights and start shaping the future for and with children