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Promoting change through research: the impact of research in local government
- Authors:
- PERCY-SMITH Janie, et al
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 69p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Current interest in evidence-based policy and practice is informed by a belief that research will improve policy and practice. This belief rests on the assumption that research is used by, and has an impact on, policy-makers and practitioners. This study, examines that assumption. Specifically, the study sought to understand both the ways in which research influenced policy and practice and also the kinds of changes that were influenced by research. Dissemination of research outputs within local authorities was often patchy. Front-line officers in particular did not have ready access to research findings that could help develop their practice. Research undertaken in-house or commissioned by the authority was more likely to be used than externally generated research. In general the impact of research on policy tended to be relatively small.
External inspection of local government: driving improvement or drowning in detail?
- Authors:
- DAVIS Howard, DOWNE James, MARTIN Steve
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 29p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
External inspection is seen as central to the current drive for improved public services. However, we know very little about its impact and there is growing concern that some of the current inspection regimes demand too much of resources. This report draws upon the first phase of a study of the impact of inspection within local government. It charts the rise of inspection, provides a detailed description of the inspection regimes now covering local authorities, and gives an overview of existing evidence about the effects of inspection. The authors argue that there is an urgent need to develop a more evidence-based understanding of how improvement is achieved and of the costs and benefits of external inspection. They conclude that there is a real danger that the inspection regimes introduced in recent years could become bogged down in detail and that, if inspection is really to drive improvement, inspectors will need to give more weight to local as well as national priorities, co-ordinate their working practices more and focus their attention on reliable measures of service.
CTC: the story so far; an interim evaluation of Communities That Care
- Authors:
- FRANCE Alan, CROW Iain
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 44p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Research has identified a number of ‘risk factors’ for children that may lead anti-social or problem behaviour in later life. This has lead to an increased interest, by policy makers and practitioners, in developing targeted preventive work with children and families that may reduce risks and increase protection. In 1998 the Joseph Rowntree Foundation developed a new community-based programme that aimed to reduce risks for children and families. Communities That Care (CTC), a programme originally developed in the United States, aims to create neighbourhoods where children and young people would be less at risk of school failure, school-age pregnancy, youth offending, and drug misuse. This study evaluates the impact of the first stages of this process. It details how three CTC projects were set up in the UK, and what lessons have been learnt from their early experience. It looks particularly at the set-up period when areas analysed the problems they faced and set about devising action plans aimed at addressing these problems.