A multi-agency approach to reducing harms from violence and aggression directed towards ambulance services staff in Wales (UK)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel Rees ◽  
Patrick Rees ◽  
Lois Hough ◽  
Dylan Parry ◽  
Nicola White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Services ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Emergency Workers ◽  
Narrative Methodology ◽  
International Body ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Ambulance services staff worldwide have long been at risk of encountering violence and aggression directed towards them during their work. Verbal forms of violence and aggression are the most prevalent form, but sometimes incidents involve physical injury, and on rare occasions homicides do occur. Exposure to such violence and aggression can have a lasting negative impact upon ambulance staff and has been associated with increased levels of stress, fear, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and burnout syndrome. Despite the significance of this issue, little progress has been made to tackle it. The purpose of this paper is to describe this multi-agency approach being taken in Wales (UK) to reduce such harms from violence and aggression directed towards ambulance services staff. Design/methodology/approach An interpretative post-positivist narrative methodology and policy analysis approach was followed. Snowball methods of gathering data were used to construct this narrative involving meetings, telephone calls, review of policy documents, legislation and academic literature. Findings The authors report how tackling violence and aggression directed towards emergency workers has become a priority within Wales (UK), resulting in policy developments and initiatives from groups such as the UK and Welsh Government, the Welsh Ambulance Services National Health Services (NHS) Trust, Health Boards, the NHS Wales Anti-Violence Collaborative and the Joint Emergency Services Group (JESG) in Wales. This has included changes in legislation such as the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 that came into force on 13th November 2018 and policy changes such as the obligatory responses to violence in health care and the JESG #WithUsNotAgainst Us campaign. Our study however reflects the complexity of this issue and the need for further high-quality research. Originality/value The experiences and activities of Wales (UK) reported in this paper adds to the international body of knowledge and literature on violence and aggression directed towards ambulance services staff.

Higher apprenticeships and the new apprenticeship standards

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arti Saraswat
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Further Education ◽  
The Body ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
College Staff ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The UK government is actively promoting higher apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships and this agenda has been gaining momentum amongst the various providers of apprenticeships. The purpose of this paper is to draw on an exploratory study on English further education (FE) colleges and highlight some of the key drivers of delivery, and possible challenges that can be faced by the providers in any expansion of this provision. Staff perceptions on the new apprenticeship standards are also presented in the paper. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on a qualitative exploratory study with ten FE colleges in England. As part of the study, 19 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with college staff and managers. Findings Higher apprenticeships have the potential to offer work-focussed alternatives to the conventional full-time degree models of higher education, however, the paper sheds light on a number of factors can limit the uptake of higher and degree apprenticeships. Practical implications The paper presents some practical challenges in developing higher apprenticeships and outlines some successful instances of higher apprenticeships which will be useful for those involved in the design and delivery of apprenticeships at FE colleges as well as at other providers. Originality/value This paper draws on research with FE colleges and will be of particular significance to FE colleges and universities that may consider delivering higher apprenticeships. The paper presents insights into institutional experiences and decision-making associated with higher and degree apprenticeships and, in doing so, the paper offers valuable contributions to the body of knowledge in this under-researched area.

scholarly journals Safeguarding adults practice and remote working in the COVID-19 era: challenges and opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 415-427
Author(s):  
Ann Anka ◽  
Helen Thacker ◽  
Bridget Penhale
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Policy Guidance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This exploratory paper aims to examine the literature on the impact of COVID-19 on safeguarding adults practice. Design/methodology/approach A literature search was carried out in recently published articles to locate literature relating to COVID-19 and safeguarding adults in the UK and internationally. This included policy guidance and law, to describe the existing knowledge base, gaps in practice and areas that may require further research. Findings The findings suggest that measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to remote working and virtual safeguarding practice. The findings highlight the need for empirical research into the impact of virtual safeguarding adults assessments and effective ways to support the needs and outcomes of those who may be at risk of or experiencing abuse and neglect while shielding, socially isolating or when working in an environment where social distancing is required. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on a review and analysis of published documents and not on other types of research. Originality/value Little is known about effective safeguarding adults practice in the era of shielding, self-isolation, social distancing and remote working. The paper adds to the body of knowledge in the field.

scholarly journals Ageing carers and intellectual disability: a scoping review

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 162-178
Author(s):  
Aoife Mahon ◽  
Elizabeth Tilley ◽  
Gurch Randhawa ◽  
Yannis Pappas ◽  
Jitka Vseteckova
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Individuals with intellectual disability(ies) are living longer contributing to an overall increase in the average age of caregivers. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the physical, social and psychological needs of ageing carers of individuals with intellectual disability(ies) in the UK. Design/methodology/approach A scoping review framework was used to identify literature from eleven databases, the grey literature and the references lists of relevant studies. Only primary research studies that discussed the needs of non-professional carers, aged 65+ years old, of individuals with intellectual disability(ies) in the UK were included. No date restrictions were applied. Thematic analysis was used to narratively synthesise findings. Findings Six studies were included. Five key themes were identified: Living with fear, lack of information, rebuilding trust, proactive professional involvement and being ignored. Housing and support information is not communicated well to carers. Professionals require more training on carer needs and trust must be rebuilt between carers and professionals. Proactive approaches would help identify carer needs, reduce marginalisation, help carers feel heard and reduce the risk of care crisis. Greater recognition of mutual caring relationships is needed. Originality/value This review highlighted the needs of older caregivers for individuals with intellectual disability(ies) as well as the need for more high-quality research in this field. The information presented in this review may be considered by primary care providers and funding bodies when planning future support for this growing population of carers.

Researching the psychological therapies in prison: considerations and future recommendations

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Gee ◽  
Betty Bertrand-Godfrey
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Prison System ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Alternative Research ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Current Movement

Purpose – The psychological therapies are widely considered within the forensic literature as holding a useful role in the prison system, however, despite this, very little research into the psychological therapies has taken place. Further, where research is carried out, it is often associated with the need for evidence-based practice (EBP), involving quantification and randomization. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper will initially introduce the importance of research into the psychological therapies in prison, followed by a consideration of EBP which can be thought of as the current movement governing research in the psychological therapies in the UK. Findings – However, in providing a focused critique of EBP, particularly within prisons, this paper will attempt to pave the way for a consideration of alternative research methodologies and resultant methods in researching the psychological therapies in prisons in the UK. Originality/value – Through this it is argued that research within the prison setting should act not to promote interventions and create an evidence-based as such, but to provide an accessible body of knowledge for the psychological therapists working in prisons in the UK.

scholarly journals Fathers and substance misuse: a literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-369
Author(s):  
Linda Bell ◽  
Rachel Herring ◽  
Fizz Annand
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Scoping Literature Review ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Alcohol And Other Drugs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the following research questions from the available literature: What evidence is there to suggest that substance misuse specifically by fathers (including alcohol and other drugs) causes wider harms, including child welfare concerns? substance misuse, recovery, parents, fathers, fathering, drugs/ alcohol services. How do professionals respond specifically to substance misuse by fathers? Do interventions aimed at parental substance misuse (particularly in the UK) include both mothers and fathers and if so how? Design/methodology/approach A scoping literature review was conducted which identified 34 papers (including scoping reviews published in 2006 and 2008, covering the period 1990-2005) and 26 additional studies published between 2002 and 2020. Findings The review in this paper is organised into six themes: Negative impact of men’s substance misuse problems on their parenting behaviours; quality of the relationship between parents affected by substance misuse of the fathers, in turn affecting the parenting behaviour and outcomes for children; importance to fathers of their fathering role (for example, as a financial provider); difficulties fathers may face in developing their fathering role; sidelining of the fathering role in substance misuse services; and professionals tending to focus on the mother’s role in parenting inventions and services. Originality/value This paper focusses on fathers and substance misuse, which is an under-researched field within the wider contexts of fathering research and research into parental substance misuse.

scholarly journals The strategic and operational landscape of emergency services in the UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Murphy ◽  
Paresh Wankhade ◽  
Katarzyna Lakoma
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rescue Service ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Conceptual Maps ◽  
Potential Improvement ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Development Service

Purpose The organisational and service delivery landscape of the emergency services in the UK has been rapidly changing and is facing further change in the foreseeable future. The purpose of this paper is to examine recent and ongoing organisational changes in the policy development, service delivery and regulatory landscape of the emergency services, in order to capture the overall picture and potential opportunities for improvement or further investigation. Design/methodology/approach This general review utilises the characteristics of the three domains of a national framework, namely, policy development, service delivery and public assurance, and uses these characteristics as lenses to examine the three main blue light emergency services of police, fire and ambulances. Findings What emerges in the organisational landscape and conceptual maps for the police and even more so for the Fire and Rescue Service, is the immaturity of many of the organisations in the policy and the public assurance domains while the service delivery organisations have remained relatively stable. In the relatively neglected ambulance services, we find the NHS’s recent Ambulance Response Programme has considerable potential to improve parts of all three domains. Research limitations/implications The review is limited to the UK and primarily focussed on England. Practical implications The review identifies opportunities for improvement, potential improvement and further research. Originality/value Although the National Audit Office has attempted in the past to provide organisational landscape reviews of individual emergency services, this contemporary comparative review of all three services using a common model is unique. It provides considerable new insights for policy makers, service delivers and regulators.

Training for democratic therapeutic community practitioners, and workers in therapeutic and enabling environments

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Pearce ◽  
Oliver Dale
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Therapeutic Community ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
General Increase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Therapeutic Environment ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Way

Purpose Training in therapeutic community and related approaches has not been widely available, and there is debate about the form this should take. This has had a negative impact on the field. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The authors consider the history of training in democratic therapeutic community methods in the UK in particular, and trace some of the reasons for its lack of development. Findings With the expansion of TC methodology into new areas, such as therapeutic and enabling environments, the ability to provide training in DTC approaches and techniques is increasingly important. The developing evidence base, and the increasing detail in which the method has been described, make dedicated TC training increasingly important. Originality/value Training in therapeutic community methods, and enabling and therapeutic environment approaches, provides a grounding in technique and theory that would otherwise be impossible to acquire for most workers, and can lead to a general increase in the level of competence and confidence in the way these environments operate.

The common causes of rework in construction contracts: a diagnostic approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Asadi ◽  
Suzanne Wilkinson ◽  
James Olabode Bamidele Rotimi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Contracts ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The high rate of rework that occurs in construction projects has a negative effect on the performance of the construction projects. Although several mechanisms have been implemented to control reworking, a comprehensive list of rework causes is yet to be provided to present the common causes that contribute to rework in construction contracts. This paper aims to investigate the most common rework causes that need to be addressed in construction contracts. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method using both the qualitative and quantitative approach is used in this paper. First of all, the study adopted a four-step literature review to introduce the rework research trends and provide statistical reports using descriptive analysis. Next, a comprehensive review has been completed using content analysis to identify the common causes of rework in construction projects. Finally, the common causes in construction contracts are further investigated through a quantitative questionnaire survey to validate the initial results. Findings The results of the review showed an increasing trend of publications on rework over the last three decades. Most of the studies were conducted in Australia, the UK, Nigeria and Hong Kong. Based on further investigation in the study area of sources of rework, 37 causes of rework causes were identified and classified in five groups. Then, the most significant causes of rework in construction contracts were compiled in the list of 22 items. Research limitations/implications The paper’s reported result, contributes to the contract management body of knowledge by proposing a list of common rework causes that can be used by practitioners during the contract negotiation to prevent contractual issues. The result of the review can also be used for further investigation of the relationship between rework and contract conditions. Originality/value The proposed list of common causes of rework in construction contracts allows project parties to improve the terms of the contract in addressing rework, this could result in fewer contractual claims and disputes. The findings of this study will also guide the investigations into the contract conditions, thus the approach used is constructive.

A structured literature review of scientometric research of the knowledge management discipline: a 2021 update

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Serenko
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
The Body ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Structured Literature Review

Purpose The purpose of this study is to conduct a structured literature review of scientometric research of the knowledge management (KM) discipline for the 2012–2019 time period. Design/methodology/approach A total of 175 scientometric studies of the KM discipline were identified and analyzed. Findings Scientometric KM research has entered the maturity stage: its volume has been growing, reaching six publications per month in 2019. Scientometric KM research has become highly specialized, which explains many inconsistent findings, and the interests of scientometric KM researchers and their preferred inquiry methods have changed over time. There is a dangerous trend toward a monopoly of the scholarly publishing market which affects researchers’ behavior. To create a list of keywords for database searches, scientometric KM scholars should rely on the formal KM keyword classification schemes, and KM-centric peer-reviewed journals should continue welcoming manuscripts on scientometric topics. Practical implications Stakeholders should realize that the KM discipline may successfully exist as a cluster of divergent schools of thought under an overarching KM umbrella and that the notion of intradisciplinary cohesion and consistency should be abandoned. Journal of Knowledge Management is unanimously recognized as a leading KM journal, but KM researchers should not limit their focus to the body of knowledge documented in the KM-centric publication forums. The top six most productive countries are the USA, the UK, Taiwan, Canada, Australia and China. There is a need for knowledge brokers that may deliver the KM academic body of knowledge to practitioners. Originality/value This is the most comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of the KM discipline.

How does ownership by corporate managers affect R&D in the UK? The moderating impact of institutional investors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Hassanein ◽  
Mahmoud Marzouk ◽  
Mohsen Ebied A.Y. Azzam
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Managerial Ownership ◽  
Nonlinear Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Managers ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThis paper tests for a positive, a negative and a nonlinear relationship between the share of ownership controlled by firm managers and the management decision to invest in research and development (R&D). Likewise, it examines whether or not institutional investors induce corporate managers with ownership stakes to spend on R&D.Design/methodology/approachIt examines a sample of the United Kingdom (UK) Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) all-shares firms over a longitudinal period from 2009 to 2018. The R&D is measured by the natural logarithm of a firm's R&D spending and a firm's R&D expenditure scaled by its total assets at the end of the year. The results are estimated using the year/industry fixed effects as well as the firm fixed effects.FindingsThe results show a positive effect on R&D spending at a lower level of managerial ownership, and a negative impact at a higher managerial ownership level. The findings jointly suggest an inverse U-shaped nonlinear relationship between ownership by firm managers and management decisions on R&D spending. The results also demonstrate that the effect of institutional investors' ownership on R&D spending decisions is observable only at a lower level of managerial ownership and disappears at a higher level.Practical implicationsThe results shed the light on the role of managerial ownership in promoting firm innovation. They suggest an optimal level of equity ownership by corporate managers that maximizes R&D spending, implying that firms can effectively manage their R&D spending by restructuring their managerial ownership to maintain an appropriate level of managerial ownership to align managerial interests with shareholder interests by either increasing it to the optimal level or decreasing it when it becomes above this level. The findings also support the limited degree of monitoring and the long-term perspective offered by institutional investors in the UKOriginality/valueThe study provides new evidence on the non-monotonic effect of the share of ownership controlled by firm managers on R&D spending decisions. It also expands the growing body of literature and contributes to the debate on the effectiveness of institutional investors in the UK.

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