Structuring injustice: partisan politics in the making and unmaking of James Madison University's equal opportunity policy

This analysis contributes to LGBT campus climate research on the quality of campus life in higher education in the United States. We argue that public education institutions in different states face divergent impediments to improving campus climate, and that more research is needed identifying structural factors affecting campus climate. Using a social systems analysis of policymaking at one university as a case study, we illustrate how partisan politics and state regulation make Virginia colleges and universities more vulnerable to political scrutiny and control. Finally, we propose a social justice-oriented policy agenda to address structural inequalities.     

Foster Carer Strain and its Impact on Parenting and Placement Outcomes for Adolescents

Drawing on recently completed research funded by the Departmentof Health, this article examines the extent of strain on thefoster carers of adolescents, its influence on parenting practicesand the overall impact on placement outcomes. The research find­ingsshow that foster-carers’ parenting capacity was markedlyreduced in a number of specific areas when they had experienceda high number of stressful life events in the six months priorto the young person’s arrival or were under considerablestrain during the placement. Conduct problems, hyperactivityand violent behaviour by the young people increased carer strain,as did contact difficulties with the children’s families.Problems in contacting social workers were linked to elevatedstrain, whilst strain was lessened when carers received helpfrom friends or from local professionals. Signifi­cantlyhigher disruption rates were experienced by strained carersand these placements were also less beneficial to the youngpeople.     

Inter-agency Information Sharing in Health and Social Care Services: The Role of Professional Culture

This article uses a literature review to examine the ways inwhich professional culture might shape inter-organizationalexchange of personal information in a health and social carecontext. The aim is to explore a simplified model of possibleinformation-sharing behaviours (‘ideal’, ‘over-open’,‘over-cautious’ and ‘chaotic’) and tosuggest that patterns of information sharing may be influencedby a number of factors. It is proposed that these factors includenot only inter-professional differences in the approach takento information sharing but also the ways in which the professionsinterrelate.     

Partnership Working in Public Policy Provision: A Framework for Evaluation

Partnership working has emerged as a key feature of New Labour's approach to social policy. However, although the theoretical benefits of partnership have been well rehearsed, agencies charged with fostering partnerships lack "evidence" about how best to proceed in bringing about organizational change. This paper describes the development and implementation of a practical approach to capturing the strategies that can be used to establish, strengthen and sustain local partnerships. To this end, it presents a conceptual framework for the evaluation of partnership working and demonstrates the application of the framework to an investigation of partnership working in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, and Plymouth Health action zones.     

Using the 'Looking After Children' dimensions to collect aggregate data on well-being

The Department of Health has funded the development of a set of schedules for collating information on and monitoring the progress of children looked after by local authorities. An additional aspiration underlying official encouragement of the use of these ‘Looking After Children’ (LAC) materials was that they would provide aggregate data to feed into national and local policy and planning. Progress on this aim has been slow, in part because instruments designed to aid practice in individual cases have not adapted easily to the hoped for dual role, and in part because completion rates have been patchy and often poor. This paper describes an action research project designed to use the children's reviewing system to collect aggregate data on the LAC dimensions of well‐being. It comments on the viability of this method of aggregate data collection as well as locating the information on a cohort of 96 children in the context of other studies, and debates about whether the state can be a ‘good parent’.     

GIRLS MAKING CHOICES ABOUT CAREERS: THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Because of the gender-differentiated nature of the Australian workforce, it is important to gain a clear understanding of how girls and women make choices about careers. The data in this paper originate from a study involving girls discussing their subject choices as they move into Year 11 at school. The study revealed a strong link between subject choices and career aspirations. Furthermore, personal experiences of a career through home or school activities were usually necessary for a girl to aspire towards that career. This raises questions about the efficacy of trying to influence career decisions through brief exposure to role models. It also suggests the need to supplement the experiences of those girls with limited experiences related to careers.     

Problem Gambling in Non-English Speaking Background Communities in Queensland,Australia: A Qualitative Exploration

This paper provides an overview of qualitative research into problem gambling among non-English speaking background (NESB) communities in Queensland, Australia. The focus for this pilot study was the Chinese, Greek and Vietnamese communities. Using qualitative methodologies, this community-based research explored the motivations for gambling, and the impacts of problem gambling upon individuals and communities. Findings indicate that problem gambling is evident in each of the communities of study, but the issue is characterised by a pervasive sense of denial. Gambling is an issue of enormous shame and stigma, not only for the problem gambler but their entire family. As a result, most problem gamblers do not seek professional help but try to resolve the problem themselves or within the family unit. Research findings indicate that service access could be increased through a range of strategies including the provision of culturally appropriate community education and gambling help services, partnerships between NESB communities, gambling help services and community workers, and the development and implementation of preventative strategies.