A new book examined the experiences of children and young people, parents, and older generations within families over time. Drawing on work from a large-scale qualitative longitudinal study of the life course conducted in the United Kingdom (Timescapes Study), chapters examined the relationships of people from varied backgrounds and geographical locations, identified policy-relevant findings, and discussed methodological issues.
Source: Janet Holland and Rosalind Edwards (eds.), Understanding Families Over Time: Research and policy, Palgrave Macmillan (Publication date: May 2014)
Links: Summary
Date: 2013-Dec
A new book presented selected writings on social policy by Jonathan Bradshaw. Chapter topics included: the taxonomy of social need; poverty and social exclusion; family; and the well-being of children.
Source: Richard Cookson, Roy Sainsbury, and Caroline Glendinning (eds.), Jonathan Bradshaw on Social Policy: Selected writings 1972 2011, University of York
Date: 2013-Dec
A new book examined how policy had, over time, shaped the role of social workers and other professionals in protecting children and young people.
Source: Nigel Parton, The Politics of Child Protection: Contemporary developments and future directions, Palgrave Macmillan (Publication date: April 2014)
Links: Summary
Date: 2013-Nov
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill was given a second reading. The Bill included measures (mostly related to England and Wales) to tackle anti-social behaviour, forced marriage, dangerous dogs, and illegal firearms. There would be new, simpler powers for the police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Forced marriage would become a criminal offence, as would a breach of a forced-marriage protection order.
Source: Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Home Office, TSO | Debate 10 June 2013, columns 66-127, House of Commons Hansard, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard
Date: 2013-Jun
The coalition government published the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill. The Bill included measures (mostly related to England and Wales) to tackle anti-social behaviour, forced marriage, dangerous dogs, and illegal firearms. There would be new, simpler powers for police to tackle anti-social behaviour. Forced marriage would become a criminal offence, as would a breach of a forced-marriage protection order.
Source: Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, Home Office, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Impact assessment | Home Office press release | Cabinet Office briefing | HOC research brief | Childrens Society press release | CIH press release | Labour Party press release | LGA press release | Liberty press release | Manifesto Club press release | Nottingham Trent University press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-May
A paper examined the effect of the size of the welfare state on family outcomes in developed (OECD) countries. An expansion in the welfare state was found to increase fertility, marriage, and divorce rates – and therefore supported family formation. But the welfare state also decoupled marriage and fertility, thereby altering the organization of the family.
Source: Martin Halla, Mario Lackner, and Johann Scharler, Does the Welfare State Destroy the Family? Evidence from OECD member countries, Working Paper 150, Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business (Austria)
Links: Paper
Date: 2013-Apr
A report from a Church of England commission set out how Christians understood and valued marriage, arguing that marriage between men and women 'continued to provide the best context for the raising of children'.
Source: Faith and Order Commission, Men and Women in Marriage, Church of England
Links: Report | C of E press release
Date: 2013-Apr
An article examined whether it was possible to promote marriage by economic incentives. Fiscal incentives were less likely to be successful when operating in isolation; and couples' reasons for marrying suggested a rejection of pragmatism that might make obvious incentives counter-productive.
Source: Rebecca Probert, 'For better or for worse? Encouraging marriage through the tax system', Family Law, March 2013
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Mar
The Children and Families Bill was published, and subsequently given a second reading. The Bill was designed to (among other things): reform the adoption system; introduce greater flexibility in parental leave arrangements; reform the system of special educational needs; strengthen the role of the children's rights watchdog; cut delays in the family justice system; and reduce regulation of the childcare sector.
Source: Children and Families Bill, Department for Education, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard (second reading) | Background document | DE press release | Speech | HOC research brief | Barnardos press release | CBI press release | CSW press release | EDCM press release | Fawcett Society press release | FPI press release | Labour Party press release | Mencap press release | NAHT press release | Nasen press release | NIACE press release | NUT press release | OCC press release | Scope press release | Working Families press release | Community Care report | Nursery World report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-Feb
An article examined the 'representational tools' with which public service professionals and managers were equipped for developing family-centred policies.
Source: James Cornford, Susan Baines, and Rob Wilson, 'Representing the family: how does the state "think family"?', Policy & Politics, Volume 41 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Feb
A new book provided an international survey of childhood studies. It looked at how childhood had changed in recent years, and how children's needs and experiences had achieved a new visibility.
Source: Mary Jane Kehily (ed.), Understanding Childhood: A cross disciplinary approach, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2013-Jan