NEWS FROM RESEARCH CENTRES

HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY

Tackling Antisocial Behaviour: An Evaluation of Intensive Family Support Projects in Scotland

The report of a major research project led by Heriot-Watt University has just been published by the Scottish Government: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/272803/0081442.pdf

The research, managed by Professor Hal Pawson and undertaken in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, evaluated five ‘intensive family support projects’ established in various parts of Scotland. These schemes provide intensive help for ‘disruptive families’ at risk of eviction for anti-social behaviour. Their over-riding aim is to help prevent family breakup and/or homelessness which could result unless family problems are tackled and misconduct is consequently eliminated. The projects are at the cutting edge of Government policies to tackle antisocial behaviour and exemplify an official approach increasingly encompassing supportive as opposed to punitive responses.

The Impacts of Second Generation Stock Transfers in Urban Britain

After two decades of stock transfers council housing is a thing of the past in half of England’s local authorities. In England, a large proportion of post-1997 transfers have involved urban areas mainly in the Midlands and the North. In many of these localities newly-created housing associations have faced major challenges to address run-down estates, concentrated deprivation and sometimes a troubled history of community relations. In Scotland and Wales, local authority transfers only really began in 2003. However, in a number of the areas subsequently involved (e.g. Glasgow, Inverclyde), transfer housing associations have also taken on a highly problematic inheritance.

JRF-funded research on post-1997 ‘second generation’ stock transfers has recently been published at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/impacts-housing-stock-transfers-urban-britain The study, undertaken by Heriot-Watt University and Cardiff University focused mainly on ten case study transfers in England, Wales and Scotland. A major focus of the research was the controversial Glasgow stock transfer and the team’s case study report assessing Glasgow Housing Association’s first five years is also available at: http://www.sbe.hw.ac.uk/news%20images/GHA%20case%20study.pdf