This thesis examines the agency and experience of children, young people, and their parents, participating in multi-agency assessment in a children’s services early intervention process. The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) was introduced as a national pilot and widely adopted in England in the past decade. Research has examined the professional practice and systemic factors around the implementation of the CAF, but there is very little investigation of service users’ experiences that considers the agency and perspectives of service users as partners in the process of early help. This qualitative study was accomplished in one local authority site in the midlands of England, where 12 families, including 7 young people and 16 carers, were interviewed. To explore service users’ experiences of multi-agency working, semi-structured interview schedules and free drawn charts and graphs of CAF activity were employed. In order to make sense of service users’ agency and participation in this setting, a methodological approach informed by actor-network theory and Foucauldian governmentality, was adopted. The empirical findings of the research demonstrated the relative exclusion of children and young people from the main elements of the CAF process. This lack of active participation is analysed as a response to the prevailing model of childhood as an incompetent and vulnerable stage of ‘becoming adult’. The participation of adults in the CAF was found to engage a more active human agency, although a diverse range of experiences was found. Parents, who responded to a perceived ’bad parent’ critique from practitioners, assembled a heterogeneous set of actors, including discourse, knowledge from service user sources, and personal skills in working with different organisations, in order to construct an active service users’ identity. The thesis concludes with reflection on service users’ agency and participation and makes some policy recommendations and suggestions for further research.

This study investigates how UK policies and initiatives promoting civic engagement of older people impact their ‘embeddedness.’ ‘Embeddedness,’ which has been my research theme continuously for the past ten years, describes intricate dynamic relationships between an individual and his/her physical and socio-cultural environments. The four research objectives were: 1) to define the concept of civic engagement in relation to ‘embeddedness’; 2) to review and analyse UK policies and initiatives promoting civic engagement of older people; 3) to analyse older people’s perceptions and experiences of civic engagement in civic engagement practices; 4) to examine the effectiveness of UK civic engagement initiatives on older people’s perceptions and experiences of civic engagement and their 'embeddedness’ by discussing differences and overlaps between the concept, policies and initiatives and perceptions and experiences of civic engagement. I also discuss how this study links Sociology and Architecture around the theme of the ‘embeddedness.’ By means of literature reviews, semi-structured informant interviews and participant observation, the subject is tackled both theoretically and empirically. The study analyses the reality of civic engagement focusing on the London Borough of Greenwich as a case study using ‘civic engagement’ as a multi-dimensional and multi-layered concept involving civil, political, social and cultural rights and responsibilities. The study suggests key values for civic engagement and ‘embeddedness’ and discusses them to speculate on the future of civic engagement and the ‘embeddedness’ of older people. The study argues that although in reality classic bureaucratic tendencies may undermine an organisation’s own policies promoting civic engagement, as happened in Greenwich, this is not inevitable if all the parties can understand the dynamic and transactional interaction mechanisms as and when individuals build up social networks within and beyond such organisations.

This thesis reports on a research project guided by the principles of grounded theory. It examines how learning disability nurses care for terminally ill people with profound learning disabilities in two National Health Service residential homes. The aim of the study is to explore the perceived knowledge and skills of this group of nurses. It concerns how they assess, recognise and discover patients’ illnesses and how they provide end of life care needs. A total of 36 learning disability nurses participated in in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis is achieved through analysis of interview transcripts and reflexive journaling (field notes). The analysis of data suggests that the main theme “longitudinal knowing” leads to the production of “knowing the patient well”. “Longitudinal knowing” is the principal process through which the “normal” and the “pathological” continuum is constructed. The observed changes help learning disability nurses to establish a clear demarcation between learning disability-related behaviour and disease-related behaviour. The strategy of “longitudinal knowing” the patient well helps learning disability nurses to understand what their patients are like before the illness, and after the onset of illness. In addition, this thesis reveals that learning disability nurses draw on different types of knowledge. This knowledge includes “intuition”, “commonsense” knowledge and “formal” knowledge. The analysis of data shows that the four types of knowledge derive from “longitudinal knowing”. They help learning disability nurses to understand and assess patient’s changing health conditions. These types of knowledge serve as tools to help learning disability nurses make appropriate nursing decisions about a patient’s health status. In this study, participants sometimes used a mixture of lay and technical language to describe their observed signs and symptoms. The analysis of data shows an area of “uncertainty of knowing”. It concerns an ambiguity about whether the specific signs and symptoms are attributed to the learning disability or to an illness. “Uncertainty of knowing” may be a potential barrier to the delivery of appropriate comfort care. The thesis also reveals an area of “certainty of not knowing”. This refers to moments when participants know for sure where the gaps in knowledge are. The analysis of data shows that participants seek to address this gap by searching for relevant internet resources. They also know that they need educational input in pathophysiology of advance diseases. This helps to reduce the tension created by “uncertainty of knowing” and comfort care. The thesis shows that for all participants, “longitudinal knowing” is fundamental for learning disability nurses in the delivery of appropriate and timely “comfort” end-of-life care.

When specialists in the evaluation of humanitarian action meet they often complain that “evaluations tell us nothing new”. Can this complaint be justified and, if so, can any additional insights into the reasons be discovered? An analysis and comparison is made of the recommendations arising from the evaluations of the humanitarian response to two major forced displacements and two natural disasters. The comparison is used to identify the extent to which recommendations made in the evaluation of the earlier of each pair were repeated in the subsequent evaluations. An analysis of the subjective influences reported as impinging upon nine of the earliest evaluations of humanitarian actions is made. A series of 22 elite interviews with staff of humanitarian organisations and independent consultants directly involved in the evaluation of humanitarian action reveals the continuing influence of these ‘subjective’ factors and indicates of a lack of confidence in the evaluation process as a tool for institutional learning. The roles of agency and structure in the subjective influences impinging on the evaluation of humanitarian action are analysed and recommendations made for the improvement of the evaluation/learning cycle.

Social policy developments during the past three decades have profoundly changed the way in which welfare services are provided, by substantially increasing the role of voluntary organisations in the delivery of ‘contracted out’ public services in a ‘mixed economy’ of welfare. Policies implemented by successive Conservative, New Labour and Coalition governments during this period have promoted a key role for the voluntary sector as providers of public services in a range of areas including social care, health, housing, education and criminal justice (Griffiths, 1988; HM Government, 1990; Cabinet Office, 2006; Department of Health, 2010b; HM Government, 2010a). Such policies to shift responsibility for public service delivery onto the voluntary sector raise significant implications for voluntary organisations and the volunteer charity trustees charged with their leadership and governance. Although offering opportunities for some voluntary organisations, the public services contracting environment also presents a number of challenges for the voluntary sector. These include questions about the extent to which charities can maintain their independence, financial insecurity arising from short-term contracts, and the ability of organisations to remain focused on their charitable objectives and principles. Furthermore, complex and lengthy bidding processes and onerous monitoring and reporting obligations place a disproportionate burden on smaller charities with fewer staff and resources. This thesis analyses such social policy developments that are facilitating an increasing and diversifying role for the voluntary sector in welfare delivery, and assesses their impacts on volunteer charity trustees. It draws upon primary empirical research to elicit the experiences and perceptions of trustees occupying roles on the boards of local charities within this radically shifting policy environment. In total, 46 qualitative interviews were conducted: 25 with trustees of local voluntary sector organisations, 10 with Chief Executives (or equivalent) of local voluntary sector organisations, and 11 with representatives of influential ‘policy community’ organisations at both national and local levels. The thesis identifies the multiple and complex ways in which the changing policy landscape impacts upon voluntary organisations and, in turn, their trustees. It reveals significant ambiguity in how the trustee role is defined and perceived; varying levels of confidence among trustees about their ability to meet their responsibilities; and inconsistency in the training and support available to them in fulfilling their roles. The thesis offers a significant contribution to knowledge about the experiences of trustees responsible for governing and steering charities through the complex challenges arising from contemporary social policies.

There are increasing concerns that some pedigree breeding practices compromise canine welfare; with many breeds affected by inherited disorders likely due to adherence to breed standards that encourage exaggerated conformations. Consequently, calls for quantitative limits to be included in breed standards have been advocated to safeguard against conformations that are detrimental to canine welfare. This thesis explores the relationships between extreme conformation and disease-risk, to identify the most at-risk conformations currently being selected for, and recommend healthy 'limits'. Three conformation-related disorders of high welfare importance were investigated; brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) and corneal ulceration. Seven hundred dogs entering the RVe's small animal referral hospital were recruited over 14-months; their conformations quantified using established protocols and disease-status assessed. Generalised linear mixed-model analyses demonstrated for the first time that: (1) relatively shorter muzzles and relatively thicker necks increased the risk of BOAS; (2) relatively longer backs, miniaturisation and being overweight increased the risk of IVDE; and (3) the presence of nasal folds, relatively short muzzles, relatively larger eyelid openings and the presence of exposed sclera increased the risk of corneal ulcers. To test the risk estimates generated from this population, a second study of BOAS was carried out in a non-referral population. Short muzzles and thick necks were confirmed to be risk factors for BOAS, with two further lifestyle risk factors identified: obesity and neutering. A questionnaire-based study discovered an owner-perception of BOAS being 'normal for the breed' that may hamper efforts to reduce its prevalence in the future. As such, educational interventions to change attitudes may be required. The results of these studies are hoped to instigate and inform future breed standard revisions, and influence those within the breeding community to change current breeding practices to improve canine welfare by selecting for more moderate, lower-risk morphologies.

This research study examines the policy formation of post-9/11 government led community engagement and partnerships with Muslim communities in London and New York City between 2001 and 2014 situated within the macro political economic context of neoliberalism and related socio-political phenomena that have shaped post-9/11 United Kingdom and United States counterterrorism strategy. This research study has two research questions: 1. Can a clear difference in the strategies used in approaches to countering post-9/11 Al Qaeda inspired terrorism measures targeting Muslim communities be identified in London and New York? 2. How can situating this examination in the context of neoliberalism as illustrated by the breaking down of a number of traditional binaries in the larger social context, specifically the theoretical debates of the state of exception, the convergence of internal and external security and multiculturalism, provide clearer understanding of similarities or differences between London and New York? This study compares the policy formation and evolution of government initiated community engagement and partnerships with Muslim communities strategies used to counter post-9/11 Al Qaeda inspired terrorism in Muslim communities by the London Metropolitan Police Service (London Met) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). To thoroughly understand these policy approaches, this research study has situated the research within the larger socio-political contexts in which these programmes were formed. Using a mixed methods research methodology comprised of documentary analysis of official United Kingdom and United States documents, discourse analysis of key terrorism and counterterrorism speeches by political elites in the United Kingdom and United States, and semi-structured interviews with elite police and policymaking officials involved in counterterrorism, this study found that neoliberalism, and specifically the significant breakdowns in traditional social binaries have impacted post-9/11 counterterrorism policing in London and New York City. This study concludes that understanding the effects of neoliberalism in this policy area through the blurring of traditional binaries including distinctions between the state of exception and non-state of exception, internal and external security, and United Kingdom and United States approaches to multiculturalism have made historical distinctions between London Met and NYPD approaches to counterterrorism much less significant in the post-9/11 era, although some distinctions remain in their respective approaches to government-led community engagement and partnerships with Muslim communities.

No description available.

Most LDC regimes, especially those with a colonial past, suffer from a deficit in legitimacy. Basing their rule on the personality and achievements of one person, these regimes have failed to pass on their legitimacy to their successors, or sometimes even secure legitimacy for the state. They have drawn up a social contract with their populations that entailed obligations to achieve objectives such as industrialisation, national and economic independence, and welfare of their societies. In return, their populations were expected to support their regimes, and surrender their political rights and liberties. In this research, we focus on the social contract in Egypt, as an example of an LDC state where the regime has suffered from a lack of legitimacy since the country gained its independence in 1952. Over the last five decades, Egyptian regimes have forged a social contract with their populations in order to legitimise their rule. The social contract encompassed achieving objectives adopted by the regime on the domestic and international level according to their visions. The formula of the social contract has been modified by the regime in response to changes in domestic and international factors. One of the main obligations that the regime has committed itself to since 1952 has been welfare provision by the state. The commitment of the regime to provide welfare for the population has been an effective tool to generate legitimacy. Thus, the maintenance of a 'welfare state' has constituted a central component of the social contract since 1952. However, a social contract based on welfare provision has not been durable; this type of contract has secured the regime legitimacy only as long as it has been able to deliver welfare products. As industrialisation failed to take off, Egyptian regimes found it difficult to sustain the welfare state. Their attempts to withdraw from welfare provision, without compromising their legitimacy, have been unsuccessful. This is because the regime has marketed welfare provision by the state as a right of the public based on citizenship; the populace has proved resilient in defending this right. Hence, the regime had to rely upon aid and or external borrowing to postpone the crisis; and modify the social contract by introducing some measures of political liberalisation.

This study examines the role of the churches of various Christian denominations during the period 1870-1914. It investigates three areas of County Durham. The Borough of South Shields is the main focus of the study and provides evidence of the churches' work in a large urban centre. Two comparative studies are also included: the coal mining villages of the Deerness Valley close to Durham City provide evidence from a newly industrialised area whilst the villages of Upper Teesdale illustrate trends in a more rural area in which the lead mining industry was in significant decline during this period. The approach of the study is comparative throughout. The study concentrates on several aspects of the churches' work. The provision of manpower and buildings are examined as the churches' response to the needs created by social change; there is also an investigation of the effectiveness of evangelical mission as a means of recruiting support for the churches. The study examines the churches' work with and attitude towards children - both inside and outside Sunday school - and with adults in various non liturgical activities. There are also sections on the churches' role in education and social welfare work. The study reflects recent developments in the fields of social and religious history in its examination of the churches' fears of 'decline' during this period and the extent to which such fears were justified. The comparative approach enables urban developments to be compared and contrasted with rural activities and allows the experience of different denominations to be included in the study.