The Scottish Government

Evaluation of Phase 1 New Community Schools Pilot
Contractor: Institute of Education, University of London
Due Date: Summer 2003
Contact: Jo MacDonald [0131 244 0906]
The evaluation will cover all aspects of the operation of New Community Schools including education, social work and health.

Minority Ethnic Pupils' Experiences of School in Scotland
Contractor: Rowena Arshad, Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland
Due Date: September 2003
Contact: Jo MacDonald [0131 244 0906]
Research to explore minority ethnic pupils' experience of schooling in a range of school settings across Scotland and to identify key factors relating to ethnic diversity which promote or restrict inclusion.

The Costs and Benefits Of Sitter Services
Contractor: The SCRE Centre
Due Date: Summer 2003
Contact: John Galilee [0131 244 0891]
This project will consider the similarities and differences between a range of sitter services (childcare provided in the home) across Scotland. It will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the development and delivery of services. The primary focus will be to look at sitter services used by parents to provide care while working, training or studying.

Survey Of The Development And Well-Being Of Children And Adolescents Looked After By Local Authorities In Scotland
Contractor: ONS
Due Date: January 2004
Contact: John Galilee [0131 244 0891]
This study examines the prevalence of mental health problems of children aged 5-15 who are being looked after by local authorities in Scotland. It focuses primarily on the impact and/or burden of these mental health problems in terms of social impairment and disruption to others.

Evaluation of Secure Care Outcomes
Contractor: Consortium: Glasgow University, Stirling University and Strathclyde University
Due Date: October 2005
Contact: John Galilee [0131 244 0891]
This study will investigate the effectiveness of secure care in meeting the needs of young people, their families and communities. The study will look at how young people reach secure care, the interventions they receive and the early outcomes after leaving secure care. It will inform decision making about the most effective use of secure accommodation in Scotland.

Evaluation of the Fast-Track Hearings in Scotland
Contractor: Consortium: Glasgow University, Stirling University and Strathclyde University
Due Date: January 2005
Contact: John Galilee [0131 244 0891]
This project evaluates the setting up, operation and effectiveness of fast-track children's hearings, currently being piloted in three geographical areas of Scotland. It will provide an overview of the cost-effectiveness of fast track hearings and the associated programmes/interventions in delivering successful outcomes compared with conventional hearings.

Measurement of the Extent of Youth Crime in Scotland
Contractor: DTZ Pieda Consultancy
Due Date: October 2003
Contact: John Galilee [0131 244 0891]
Research attempting to provide a clear understanding of the extent of youth crime and the fear of youth crime in Scotland. It will provide an accurate picture of the crimes committed by juvenile criminals and the numbers involved, and estimate the fear of youth crime.

Evaluation of Early Years Policies in Scotland
Contractor: Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) and National Centre for Social Research Scotland
Due Date: Dec 2003
Contact: Fiona McWhannell [0131 244 2652]
This study is a staged evaluation of the effectiveness of early years policies in Scotland in achieving their key objectives of bringing about beneficial changes in the lives of young children, their families and communities. The study will establish a baseline for future long term monitoring of early years policy in Scotland.

Evaluation of the Community Alternative Placement Scheme (CAPS) (2002)
Prof M Hill, Glasgow University
Evaluation of the implementation of a fostering scheme designed to provide a community alternative to secure accommodation.
For INTERCHANGE 72 click here

The Role of Safeguarders in Scotland (2002)
Hill M et al
Evaluation of the use, role and impact of safeguarders in children's hearings and court cases involving children.
For FULL REPORT click here
For CHILDREN (SCOTLAND) ACT 1995 RESEARCH FINDINGS NO.1 click here

Sure Start Scotland Mapping Exercise (2002)
Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, Edinburgh University
This study explores the availability of data on the range and characteristics of services that meet the objectives of the SSS initiative, to inform the design of the Phase 2 Evaluation.
For FULL REPORT click here

Study of Throughcare & Aftercare Services in Scotland (2002)
Dixon J and Stein M
Study examining effectiveness of local authorities in supporting young people who have been looked after as they move towards independence.
For CHILDREN (SCOTLAND) ACT 1995 RESEARCH FINDINGS NO.3 click here

Early Education and Childcare Workforce Survey (2002)
MVA
Survey of characteristics, training and qualifications of early education and childcare workforce.
For FULL REPORT click here
For INTERCHANGE 73 click here

Uptake and Perceptions of Early Years Qualifications and Training (2002)
George Street Research
Study of the perceived advantages and disadvantages of different types of early years qualifications and exploration of the factors that encourage and prohibit early years workers from undertaking training and qualifications.
For INTERCHANGE 65 click here

Home Supervision (2003)
Hallett C, Murray C, McMillan M and Watson J
This study examines the processes and outcomes of home supervision as part of a programme of research on the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The study is intended to complement the research programme that has been completed on Children's Hearings.
For FULL REPORT click here
For RESEARCH FINDINGS No. 4 click here

Evaluation of MATRIX (2002)
Prof G. McIvor, Social Work Research Centre
Evaluation of a 3 year early intervention pilot project - part of the Invest to Save initiative.
For FULL REPORT click here
For INTERCHANGE 77 click here

Resilience Factors (2002)
Newman T and Blackburn S, Barnardos
This literature review identifies evidence to support the concept that children who are encouraged and helped to develop resilience are better equipped to resist stress and adversity, cope with change and uncertainty, and to recover faster and more completely from traumatic events or episodes. Further practical application of the concept to refine the concept is recommended by the researchers.
For FULL REPORT click here
For INTERCHANGE 78 click here

National Evaluation of the New Community Schools Pilot Programme: Interim Findings (2002)
Sammons P et al (Institute of Education)
Some key interim analyses from the first two years of the evaluation.
For INTERCHANGE 76 click here

Modern Languages in Special Schools (2002)
McColl H
This research explores the extent to which modern languages feature in the learning programmes of pupils who attend special schools or units, or who spend a significant amount of their week in a mainstream base, unit or resourced location.
For FULL REPORT click here

Assessment Of Benefits And Costs Of Out Of School Care (2003)
Blake Stevenson
This study assessed the impact and benefits of Scottish Out of School Care (OSC) for children, parents and the wider community in relation to the costs of provision.
For INSIGHT 5 click here
For EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RESEARCH PRIORITIES providing details of projects to be commissioned by the Department during 2002-04 click here