By Dr Anita Soni, Academic and professional tutor, School of Education, University of Birmingham and Oliver Wilson, Head Teacher, Woodhouse Primary School (and University of Birmingham ITE alumnus). “For younger children, it is essential that families don’t ignore play, but actively encourage it. While older children can usually socialise online with their friends, via a … Continue reading “All work and no play? Why children need play during Covid-19”
Category: Social Service
The Time Travel of Young Carers
By Chloe Alexander, Teaching Associate in Sociology School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham For my recent research project, a group of young carers – all from the West Midlands – travelled with their families to space. This happened in their imaginations (due to a tight research budget). They drew pictures showing their idea of … Continue reading “The Time Travel of Young Carers”
How Do We Ensure That Primary Care in the UK Remains in Good Health?
By Professor Robin Miller School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham General practice in the United Kingdom has long had an international reputation as a positive exemplar of primary care. Free at the point of access, funded on basis of population and needs (i.e. not a fee for service), and led by clinicians, our model … Continue reading “How Do We Ensure That Primary Care in the UK Remains in Good Health?”
Tough on crime or just a smokescreen?
By Dr Anna Kotova, Lecturer in Criminology School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham Both the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, recently made headlines by announcing a “tough on crime” approach to tackling criminal offending. Their promises include 10,000 new prison places and tougher sentences for people who committed serious … Continue reading “Tough on crime or just a smokescreen?”
Penalise the carers; then who cares?
By Dr Joy Fillingham, Service User and Carer Involvement Social Work Programmes School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham As a former carer, hearing how the government are focusing so closely on penalising carers undertaking additional work or study, in relation to their responsibilities, frustrates me in the extreme. Without informal carers, our social care … Continue reading “Penalise the carers; then who cares?”
You, me and those who came before – the role of community in refugee welcome
By Professor Jenny Phillimore, Department of Social Policy, Sociology & Criminology School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham Two years ago, there was much scepticism that community volunteers would be able to provide effective support for the 10,000 refugees arriving in Britain. Professor Jenny Phillimore, Director of the Institute for Research into Superdiversity at the … Continue reading “You, me and those who came before – the role of community in refugee welcome”
New Refugee Integration Indicators for the UK and Beyond
By Professor Jenny Phillimore, Department of Social Policy, Sociology & Criminology School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham 2017 saw the highest number of displaced people ever at 68.5m (UNHCR 2018) – therefore it is no surprise that interest in refugee integration continues to increase. The arrival of refugees in Europe in 2015 generated much … Continue reading “New Refugee Integration Indicators for the UK and Beyond”
A marathon, not a sprint: Supporting the carers of people with dementia
Professor Jon Glasby, Professor of Health & Social Care and Head of Social Policy and Siân Thomas, Lecturer, Social Work and Social Care School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham In 2019, the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK joined forces as the London Marathon ‘charity of the year’ and to launch a ‘dementia revolution’ … Continue reading “A marathon, not a sprint: Supporting the carers of people with dementia”
Putting gender on the agenda in the refugee “crisis”
By Professor Jenny Phillimore Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham Violence, insecurity, persecution, and human rights violations have led to the forced displacement of an estimated 68.5 million people (UNHCR, 2018a). Of these, 25.4 million are refugees – the highest number ever recorded (UNHCR, 2018a). As Project Lead of the SEREDA … Continue reading “Putting gender on the agenda in the refugee “crisis””
Back to the future of poverty alleviation: Holiday hunger and collective feeding
By Andrew Jolly, Doctoral Researcher School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham Food banks have been a constant item in the news of late, most recently after the Trussell Trust (the biggest food parcels provider in the UK) called on the general public to give extra donations of food for children over the school summer … Continue reading “Back to the future of poverty alleviation: Holiday hunger and collective feeding”