Social groups
Around the clock
Childcare services at atypical times
This timely report considers how childcare services are meeting the needs of parents working atypical hours.
Combining self-employment and family life
Despite the increasing policy interest in work-life balance issues, relatively little research has been carried out into the links between self-employment and family life. This report considers, for the first time, the extent to which new family-friendly initiatives and legislation provide adequate support for self-employed parents.
Explaining ethnic differences
Changing patterns of disadvantage in Britain
Recent urban disturbances, concerns about the fate of asylum seekers and renewed debates about the nature of ethnic identity and citizenship have all combined to give ethnic differences a high public and policy profile. This book explores the diverse experiences of ethnic disadvantage and challenges common assumptions.
Urban transformation and urban governance
Shaping the competitive city of the future
Combining a detailed case study of the city of Bristol with wide-ranging information and analysis from other sources, this report addresses key challenges facing policy makers, practitioners and academics in their efforts to understand and impact on the changing nature of urban environments today.
Developing locally
An international comparison of local and regional economic development
Throughout the developed world governments have invested substantial sums in local and regional economic development. This is the first book to provide a cross-national comparison and evaluation of regional development strategies, institutions and agencies.
Developing coalfields communities
Breathing new life into Warsop Vale
In 1998, following a sobering report by the Coalfields Task Force, New Labour unveiled a £350 million package of measures to remedy coalfield deprivation and social exclusion. This book examines the impact of this investment in Warsop Vale, a village which has starkly emphasised the negative consequences of coalfield decline.
Grandparenting in divorced families
This book is the first in-depth exploration of grandparents' relationships with adult children and grandchildren in divorced families. It asks what part grandparents might play in public policy and whether measures should be taken to support their grandparenting role. Do they have a special place in family life that ought to be recognised in law?
Supporting families
The financial costs and benefits of children since 1975
Drawing on a large-scale 28-year survey, this report analyses entitlements to child-contingent taxes and benefits for thousands of households. It examines how support has varied across households and over time, separates the impact of policy from socio-economic changes and compares government support for children with estimates of the actual costs.
Biographical methods and professional practice
An international perspective
The turn to biographical methods in social science is invigorating the relationship between policy and practice. This book shows how biographical methods can improve theoretical understanding of professional practice, as well as enrich the development of professionals, and promote more meaningful practitioner - service user relationships.
Health, well-being and older people
With moves towards greater integration of health and social care services, there is a need for improved understanding of the importance of a person-centred, holistic approach to these fields. This accessible text provides readers across the health and social care professions with a guide to understanding the value of this approach.
Sexualities
Personal lives and social policy
This book explores the choices that we make about our sexuality and their effect our personal lives. It analyses how social policy informs and responds to such choices through an examination of normative assumptions about sexuality and its role in forming, regulating and constituting welfare subjects, discourses, theories, provisions and practices.
Family policy matters
Responding to family change in Europe
This book explores the complex relationship between family change and public policy responses in EU member states and candidate countries. It combines broad-brush scrutiny of demographic trends, policy contexts and debates in contemporary European societies with a fine-grain analysis of the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of families.