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Effective Interventions Unit
Programme 2004-2005

INTRODUCTION

In this fourth Effective Interventions Unit programme, we will continue to identify, disseminate and support the implementation of the effective practice as identified in our reviews, research reports and guides. In 2004-05, we will be giving more attention to support for implementation.

Over the last year, we have been testing out in a limited way how we might offer facilitation and support to DAATs, partner agencies and service providers to help them apply the evidence in our documents in their own local circumstances. The external evaluation of the Unit's impact carried out by Clear Plan UK and the Unit's informal review showed that there is a demand for the EIU to offer a greater level of support. The forthcoming Treatment and Rehabilitation Review is likely to suggest an enhanced role for EIU in facilitating and supporting effective practice. The Unit, will, therefore, devote more time and staff resources to developing the facilitation and support role, in partnership with DAATs and agencies at local level, in 2004-05.

The external evaluation and the informal review also sought views on the possible extension of the EIU remit to alcohol. There was a strong consensus that there is a need for a similar function in the alcohol field to identify what is effective practice and that it would be sensible and cost-effective for the EIU to extend its current approach and methodology to cover alcohol.

In order to develop the Unit's role in these ways, it seems likely that the Unit will need flexibility in recruiting staff, developing new skills and adopting new ways of working. For this reason, in the coming year, the Unit will be working with colleagues in the Executive and other agencies to consider options for its structure and location. We will publish information on progress through our web pages.

This Programme Document sets out:

• the EIU's approach to its work

• progress on the commitments made in the Programme for 2003-04

• plans for the period April 2004 to March 2005.

The Unit Team

The Unit Team continues to be a mix of civil servants, researchers and secondees. This brings to the Unit a mix of knowledge and skills.

In 2003-04, two members of the Unit team moved on: Sandra Muir and Nick Bland.

Sandra Muir left the Unit in April 2003. She provided general administrative support with a combination of enthusiasm and efficiency. She also provided a helpful point of contact for callers to the Unit.

In January 2004, Nick Bland, Principal Researcher, moved to a promoted post in the Office of the Chief Researcher. Nick played a key role in getting the research Programme up and running, including the research on the policing of low-level drug markets and the evaluation of the Lloyds TSB Partnership Drugs Initiative Projects. He was also instrumental in the development of the Unit's model of evidence gathering.

We would like to thank Sandra and Nick for their commitment to the Unit and their contribution over the last 3 years.

In 2003, new members of team were:

Dawn Griesbach, Senior Researcher, who came on secondment from ISD in April.

Vered Hopkins, who joined us in May from Fife Drug and Alcohol Action Team, to take forward the update of our work on employability and provided support for work on needs assessment and evaluation. Vered will leave the Unit in May 2004. Her knowledge and experience, together with her commitment and enthusiasm have made a major contribution to work of the Unit in the last year.

David McCue, who joined us in September on secondment from the Scottish Prison Service, to take forward the further development of Integrated Care and, in particular, the series of Integrated Care Pathway Guides and the development of local workshops.

Emma Harvey, who joined us in April, as the Unit manager responsible for the smooth running of the organisation and administration including publications and seminars.

Joanne Hutchison, who joined the Unit in July, provides general administrative support.

Isla Wallace, from Edinburgh University, came to EIU for 3 months to assist with scoping the options for further research on the effectiveness of psycho-social interventions.

Laura Turney joined the EIU as Principal Researcher in April 2004.

The Team members for 2004-05 are:

Once again we also want to thank all of those who have been involved with our work either through membership of reference groups and working groups or attending our events. We look forward to working with them in the coming year.

Patricia Russell

April 2004

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