General Reports and Other Publications

DWP: The government claims that new findings show that taking part in a Pathways to Work programme significantly increases the chances of long-term sick and disabled people finding work.  The government claims that It is estimated for every million spent on the programme £1.5m is returned through a reduced benefits burden and increased tax contributions.
 
Also published are findings on a pilot, begun in 2006, where Jobcentre Plus personal advisers were placed in GP surgeries to give employment advice to people on Statutory Sick Pay and long-term Incapacity Benefit.  Findings from the pilot showed that 91% of patients who had access to an adviser said that it motivated them to think about work and that they felt they had been listened to.
Press release ~ Evidence on the effect of Pathways to Work on existing claimants ~  A cost-benefit analysis of Pathways to Work for new and repeat incapacity benefits claimants ~ The Pathways Advisory Service: Placing employment advisers in GP surgeries ~ Pathways to Work ~ Pathways to Work: Qualitative study of in-work support
 
MPA: The MPA's youth scrutiny report was presented to the full Authority at its May meeting last week.  Listening to London's young people was an integral part of this scrutiny from the outset.  It focused on the causes, effects and impacts of young peoples' involvement in crime as victims, witnesses & perpetrators and how this influences their interactions with the Met.  
 
Findings from the scrutiny include:
* current public perception overestimates the number of young people involved in offending behaviour
* fear of crime and personal safety is of equal concern to young people as it is to adults
* young people are often unwilling to report crimes to police and do not consider current criminal justice outcomes as effective deterrents
* fear of victimisation encourages some young people to carry weapons for self-defence, not recognising the severe ramifications
* stop & search remains a key concern
* individual encounters between young people and officers play a crucial role in how the police service is perceived overall
Press release ~ MPA Youth Scrutiny report ~ MPA ~ Home Office – Youth crime ~ Youth Crime, Youth Justice and the Prevention of Criminality ~ Nacro – Youth Crime ~ Directgov – Preventing involvement in crime
 
Ofsted: The services provided by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) in the south east were found to have failings, according to a new Ofsted report. Ofsted has found that, although Cafcass offers a good to adequate service for children involved in public law proceedings, its services in private law proceedings in the region are inadequate.
 
The priority given to public law cases has led to serious delays in providing services to children and families involved in private law proceedings.  The private law service is inadequate and unacceptable. The inspection report includes 10 recommendations aimed at improving Cafcass’ south east delivery of services.
Press release ~ Ofsted’s inspection of Cafcass South-East ~ Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass)
 
CLG: Restoring landfill sites by turning them into greenspace, such as woodland, parkland or farmland is now possible according to new research. A common solution is for councils to close them over with a compacted clay cap to seal up the waste and the results of a 10 year research project into the establishment of woodland on landfill show that it is possible to restore these areas safely by planting certain trees as long as strict safeguards are adhered to.
 
Woodland planting can now be recommended as long as specific site safeguards including that the underlying mineral cap is constructed to standards required by government guidance.  Poplar, alder, cherry, whitebeam, oak, ash and Corsican pine have been identified as well suited to the landfill environment.
Press release ~ Forest Research - Developing restoration guidance for landfill sites ~ Woodland Establishment on Landfill Sites: Ten Years of Research ~ Forestry Commission ~ Defra - Landfill Directive
 
CRC: The Commission for Rural Communities has prepared a dossier responding to the NHS Next Stage Review, to help ensure rural needs and circumstances are fully considered in the review process.
Press release ~ Dossier ~ NHS Confederation - Next Stage Review
 
CRC: The Commission for Rural Communities has produced a short film about the role of the Rural Advocate.  The film includes footage from some of his recent visits to rural communities.
Press release ~ Watch the film
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