RSS 1.0Institute for Community Research and Development
Recent Submissions
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Robust local governance responses in the context of turbulence: the case of collaborative and co-created COVID-19 pandemic responses in two local authority areas in EnglandThe COVID‐19 pandemic required local and national governments to respond urgently and rapidly to new and unprecedented challenges. According to an influential strand of literature within public administration, public agencies must exhibit robust governance strategies to tackle the unpredictability, instability and complexity of a turbulent event such as the COVID‐19. In the face of turbulence, robust governance is characterised by adaptability, agility and innovation and co‐creating with partners and communities, while governance systems must evolve so that they perform more effectively in the future. This paper examines how two local authorities in England responded to the pandemic. We draw upon a novel qualitative dataset obtained through privileged access to senior council staff, elected members and council partners. Both ‘Metaltown’ (North West) and ‘Milltown’ (West Midlands) were poised, at the outset of the pandemic, to be badly hit by COVID‐19 due to their population characteristics, relative deprivation and occupational structures, and the areas did experience some of the highest numbers of infection rates and coronavirus‐related deaths. The two local responses both entailed multi‐agency action with the local authority working alongside partners in the police, emergency services, health, education, transport and housing sectors, with private enterprise and with community groups to manage the challenges. Although we observed robust governance strategies, this occurred in the absence of any deliberate policy design at the national level. Instead, the responses were locally determined, fit for purpose and adaptive in response to challenges that emerged on the ground. The findings suggest a need to modify the robust governance framework to better account for contextually specific circumstances. This has implications for how local and national governments respond to current and future challenges, such as the ongoing cost‐of‐living and climate crises.
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A systematic review of the existing evidence on early year interventions for trauma and violence preventionExposure to violence in early childhood is considered a public health issue and is a significant predictor of becoming a victim or perpetrator of violence later in life. There has been a significant increase in violence intervention and prevention programs that are available for children and young people; however, there are few evidence-based interventions for younger children. This review systematically explores the existing impact evidence for available intervention and prevention programs targeted at young children (ages 3-8) across the United States and United Kingdom. It also explores the feasibility and methodological issues faced with school-based prevention work. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, six electronic databases were systematically searched. Of the initial 766 articles, 13 met the final inclusion criteria. The findings showed that early intervention programs for vulnerable children can promote prosocial behaviors and protective factors. Outcomes included improved academic achievement, implementation of Social Emotional Learning-based learning, decrease in violence and criminal justice-related outcomes, and increased resiliency and emotional development among children. Evidence also showed that trauma-informed training for staff and teachers can increase teacher awareness of trauma and the importance of trauma-informed practices. Most programs showed a positive change in children as a result of early intervention programs. We discuss important issues for policy and practice in early years teaching, particularly for high-risk populations, and the importance of trauma-informed practices in the long-term, public health approach to violence prevention and reduction. We also highlight important areas for future research on violence prevention programs.
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A meta-analytical study on the association of human resource management practices with financial, market and operational performancePurpose: This article draws on the meta-analysis technique to systematically analyse and compare the association of human resource management (HRM) practices with financial, market and operational performance. Design/methodology/approach: An exhaustive search of HRM-performance link resulted in a final sample (k) of 24 independent studies. For this purpose, Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 3.0) software was used. Heterogeneity of the studies was determined using Q-statistic with a p-value, I2, T2 and Tau. As the degree of heterogeneity was very high, random effects model was selected to estimate the mean of effects. Lastly, publication bias was studied using graphical and statistical methods. Findings/results: The results revealed the average correlational (r) association of HRM practices with financial performance, market performance and operational performance as 0.305, 0.434 and 0.311, respectively. More specifically, HRM practices have the strongest association with market performance. Practical implications: The results statistically quantify the association between HRM practices and organisational performance measures for developing desired knowledge, skills and abilities to generate higher and improved performance. The results of this study provide HR managers with evidence that right investment in human resources does significantly contribute to the bottom line; they should make better and higher allocation of the resources for HRM. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to meta-analytically examine the varying association of HRM with three distinct organisational performance measures.
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Brexit biographies: everyday articulations of race, class and nation through the keyhole issues of empire and ‘culture wars’Some media and political science narratives suggest post-Brexit Britain is locked in a culture war epitomised by the differences thought to divide Leavers and Remainers in terms of their national values, classed and racialised identities. This article sets out to provide a more complex depiction of reality. To do this, we draw on in-depth interviews with individuals across Leave, Remain, national, migrant, racial, ethnic and class identities to trace how they articulate ideas of Empire and nationhood when they discuss Brexit and the legitimacy of statues linked to British histories of colonialism and enslavement. We explore the contrasts and complexities in the ways in which individuals supporting Leave or Remain mobilise what we call their ‘Brexit biographies’ when they think about questions of Brexit, Empire and nationhood. On the one hand, our Remain interlocutors articulate more politically progressive racialised and classed articulations of Brexit, Empire and nationhood compared to some Leave supporters. However, on the other hand, when we switch context to examine the legitimacy of statues commemorating histories of colonialism and enslavement with some of the same individuals this distinction in the values of Leave and Remain supporters begins to break down. Our contention is that detailed sociological attention to the connections uniting Leavers’ and Remainers’ reflexive worldviews is required to properly comprehend how individuals experience, as well as reproduce and dislodge, racial, class and national inequalities that underpin the fabric of British society.
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Young people’s engagements with heritage: tackling inequality & other opportunities for public policyDespite recent investment within the sector, still little is known about young people’s engagements with heritage programmes and activities that are informal, extracurricular, and place-based. In this paper, we argue that understanding the role and value of heritage in generating positive social, economic, and health outcomes, as well as to social infrastructure, is vital in order to inform public policy, and to better make the case for public investments into the heritage sector. Drawing on research conducted by the Institute for Community Research and Development and Arts Connect on behalf of Historic England, the paper examines two youth-driven place-based heritage projects in North West England that utilised heritage to address social exclusion as well as to improve the health and wellbeing of young people. A range of positive outcomes – such as personal development for young people, opportunities for fostering a sense of identity and belonging, participation that builds stronger and more cohesive communities, and social mobility – align to contemporary policy ambitions to cultivate ‘pride in place’. The activities produced fundamentally new spaces of engagement and interaction for communities of people across diverse ethnic, religious, gender, sexual and generational identities. The programmes place heritage squarely within the realm of social and cultural infrastructure, which has key implications for policymaking. The projects also demonstrate how ‘Levelling Up’ can work through targeted government spending – rather than any largescale policy instruments – that nourishes and sustains place-appropriate forms of social and cultural infrastructure, in turn revitalising communities.
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‘Waiting for school’: English Language Teaching resilience for newly arrived childrenThe ‘Waiting for School’ 2022–2023 project explores English Language Teaching (ELT) provision for children from refugee and newly arrived backgrounds who are waiting for a school place, or who are newly arrived to school, in three areas of the West Midlands, UK. Underpinned by a social-practice perspective to language learning and teaching, the project expands understanding of wider interconnecting factors, such as conditions resulting from temporary accommodation, that shape the learning environments of children experiencing mobility. The project foregrounds the perspectives of 14 diverse practitioners including: primary and secondary school teachers; teachers in a Council-led transitory education provision; council professionals in English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher advisory roles; and refugee third sector practitioners working with newly arrived families in Birmingham, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton. The methodology drew on a participatory action research (PAR) approach, with the aim of supporting practitioners to shape and have some ownership of the research agenda and outputs. In this case, the participatory approach sought to foreground the experiences of professionals working across the schools’ sector, third sector and local government, to establish a broad picture of ELT practices and to conceptualise ‘newly arrived ELT resilience’ across different spaces, which come together in a hybrid third space. Overall, the project collates cross-sector expertise and effective practice to address identified gaps in professional development for supporting newly arrived children, including a selection of key recommendations for ELT practice.
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A systematic review of evidence capturing efficacy of community and school-based approaches to knife crime intervention and prevention programsPurpose Knife crime and serious violent crime (SVC) among youth has been growing at an alarming rate in the UK (Harding and Allen, 2021). Community and school-based intervention and prevention services to tackle knife crime are being developed with some evaluation; however, these are independent and of varied quality and rigour. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to record the approaches being developed and synthesise existing evidence of the impact and effectiveness of programmes to reduce knife crime. In addition, the complex factors contributing to knife crime and SVC are discussed. Design/methodology/approach A systematic approach was used to conduct this knife crime intervention evidence review using two search engines and four databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to ensure focus and relevance. The results of searches and decisions by the research team were recorded at each stage using Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Findings Some evidence underpins the development of services to reduce knife crime. Much of the evidence comes from government funded project reports, intervention and prevention services reports, with few studies evaluating the efficacy of intervention programmes at present. Some studies that measured immediate impact in line with the programme’s aims were found and demonstrated positive results. Originality/value This systematic review specifically synthesised the evidence and data derived from knife crime and weapon carrying interventions and preventions, integrating both grey and published literature, with a novel discussion that highlights the importance of outcome evaluations and issues with measuring the success of individual level interventions and their contributions to the overall reduction of violence.
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‘Nothing about us, without us’: involving people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage – learning from the Fulfilling Lives programmeThis paper presents learning and insights drawn from the Fulfilling Lives (FL) programme – an eight-year programme funded through the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) and delivered across 12 sites in England. The programme aimed to improve services for people facing multiple disadvantage (MD) and was delivered by 12 partnerships, each led by voluntary sector organisations (VSOs). The findings were supplemented by interviews carried out with delivery partners, stakeholders and people with lived experience (LE) from one of the 12 projects, Birmingham Changing Futures Together (BCFT). The review and supplementary interviews were conducted as part of a ‘scoping exercise’ designed to help the author shape and refine research questions at the outset of her doctoral study. The focus of this paper is the involvement of people with LE in the delivery of the NLCF FL programme. The research questions explored the mechanisms used to involve people with LE of MD, the impact that their involvement was found to have on effecting ‘systems change’ and some of the limiting factors to this involvement. The paper sets out the conditions needed to facilitate better involvement and considers what these insights offer for the future design and delivery of services for VSOs seeking to develop their approach to involving people with LE.
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An evaluation of a violence reduction partnership network: mixed methods network analysisPurpose The purpose of this paper was to report on the evaluation of the network and resources for violence prevention and reduction in the chosen area of focus. This area had experiences deprivation, significant implications due to Covid-19 restrictions and a lack of outdoor recreation space. Design/methodology/approach Network analysis methodologies are increasingly being used in criminological research and evaluations to assess the structures of social and economic networks. This study explored, using a mixed-methods network analysis methodology, the nature of the established violence reduction network in a specific geographical location in West Midlands. Findings A breadth of network activity is taking place across the community; however, the network analysis highlighted gaps in terms of specialist provision for early years and support from those with lived experience. It was perceived that a lack of continuity, in terms of changes in key roles, has affected the network. Funding mechanisms were perceived ineffective, and not encouraging of development of localisation services. Relationships between network members were predominantly positive with organisations having good communication and accessing support from one another; however, identifying shared goals and better collective working would benefit the network. Originality/value This study pioneers using an innovative, mixed methods network analysis to explore a public health approach to violence prevention and reduction. Quantitative data collection and analysis allowed for assessment of the networks capacity and density, whereas qualitative data provided insights and detailed accounts of how the network functions.
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Psychological predictors of adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms across one season in grassroots netballMuch of our knowledge about the relationship between psychological variables related to sport and adolescent mental health is based on research from elite athletes. However, the vast majority of adolescents who engage in sports do so at the grassroots level. We therefore sought to understand how self-reported psychological variables and sleep may be associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety across one season in grassroots adolescent netball. We collected self-report, paper-based questionnaire data from adolescent netball players at one large netball club based in the West Midlands of the United Kingdom at the start of the season (timepoint 1, September 2018, N = 140) and end of the season (timepoint 2, March 2019, N = 132). Ages ranged from 11 to 19 (M = 13.54), which were categorized as under 14s (U14, ages 11–14) and under 19s (U19, ages 15–19). Participants self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, basic psychological needs related to netball, demands and resources related to netball, and sleep quality at each time point. We used standardized residual change scores to test whether changes in the psychological variables related to their engagement in grassroots netball (basic psychological needs, demands and resources) and sleep quality were associated with changes in depression and anxiety symptoms over time. We report that increases in perceived sporting demands and reductions in sleep quality were associated with elevated symptoms of depression over the season. Reductions in perceptions of autonomy were associated with increases in symptoms of anxiety. We report novel evidence that self-reported, malleable psychological variables related to sports participation, and sleep quality, are associated with mental health in youth female athletes competing at the grassroots level. It would be worthwhile to explore whether mental health interventions and/or education delivered via grassroots sports clubs may be an effective method for promoting mental health resilience in adolescent athletes.
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Brexit with a little ‘b’: navigating belonging, ordinary Brexits, and emotional relationsThis article analyses senses of belonging and belonging disrupted via the lens of Brexit with a little ‘b’: namely at the level of ordinary experiences in the flow of daily lives. Our interlocutors recount these as deeply emotionally charged experiences. Their accounts supplement and help nuance more widespread popular explanatory models of the referendum vote and its outcomes. Examining brexit through the intersection of belonging and emotion permits new insights into how place became linked in social imaginaries with Leave and Remain. It also permits closer analysis of how senses of belonging are relationally and differentially mediated by other identities, including class, race, ethnicity, and migration status, and how these intersect unevenly with and have a consequence for people's senses of belonging. This includes demonstrating how the privileged sense of belonging of many white middle-class Britons (both Leave- and Remain-supporting) was disrupted and their sense of ontological security jarred, as well as how people navigated the multiple social and cultural outcomes of the referendum in their daily lives, networks of intimate social relations, and local places.
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Engaging parents to reduce youth violence: evidence from a youth justice board pathfinder programmeThe Youth Justice Board’s 2019-2022 strategic plan set youth violence as a priority. As part of this, a ‘pathfinder’ approach was launched to assist Local Authorities and their partners to devise, develop, and disseminate whole systems approaches to serious youth violence (Youth Justice Board, 2020). In partnership with a regional Violence Reduction Unit, seven local Youth Offending Teams worked together with a programme that facilitated peer support networks for parents of children known to the youth justice system. The programme presented a challenge to a view in statutory youth justice of parents as part of the problem (Burney & Gelsthorpe, 2009). The aim of the programme was to engage parents of young people involved in the youth justice system, facilitating peer to peer support through a blend of online and face to face meetings. Taking a mixed-methods approach, the research sought to investigate the impact of the programme on participants’ wellbeing and perceived competence with parenting. A secondary aim was to explore experiences of the self-care and peer support activities offered by the programme. The quantitative findings showed statistically significant increases in parents’ self-reported wellbeing and perceived competence with parenting during engagement with the programme. Effect sizes reached the minimum important difference for all of the quantitative measures, with a large effect for wellbeing The qualitative findings highlighted that the self-care focus was important in engaging parents and helps distinguish the programme from statutory services. The findings are combined in the paper to produce a potential model of peer support for parents of children known to the youth justice system. Future research should investigate the impact on the children of parents who took part in this programme with a specific focus on youth violence.
