This briefing can also be viewed as a pdf. nao-children-in-need-of-help-or-protection Summary The National Audit Office has published a report Children in need of help or protection examining the Department for Education’s progress in improving the system to help and protect children. It concludes that: ‘In 2010, the Department commissioned the Munro review because it considered children’s…
The prevalence of obesity is considered a global epidemic by the World Health Organisation and presents significant public health, social, and economic challenges. This briefing clearly demonstrates that Scotland should be concerned about levels of obesity.
This report by the Kings Fund and the Nuffield Trust considers changes in local authority spending on social care for older people within the context of pressures relating the NHS, finance, the workforce, demand for services and the viability of providers. It also makes radical suggestions for the future.
Inclusive growth refers to a type of economic growth that benefits everyone. The idea of inclusive growth has emerged amidst growing concerns about rising global inequality and a perception that economic growth does not automatically 'trickle down' to benefit all echelons of society.
How has local delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant progressed and how can it be improved? A recent report Our Community - Our Covenant and a House of Commons Library briefing paper, Support for UK Veterans, look at funding, good practice and recommendations for improvement.
The health, public health and social care round-up summarises new policy, research and publications that are relevant to elected members and officers interested in health and social care.
The Children’s Society annual reports on children’s wellbeing focus on what young people says about themselves and not on a basket of objective indicators. The 2016 Report explores children’s wellbeing and links to mental health and local neighbourhoods.
This briefing explores the origin and evolution of local government in Ireland before going on to outline the current functions and key characteristics of Ireland's local authorities and their members.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) Trust research estimates the cost of additional public expenditure resulting from poverty and finds that fifth of public expenditure is used for mitigating the effects of poverty rather than tackling it directly. Combating poverty could bring substantial public savings.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has published its second State of the UK Public Parks report which shows that many local authorities now face a growing problem of how best to manage their parks and green spaces in a time of austerity. The report examines alternative approaches to management of parks.
