New Research Projects Announced

5 new research projects have been awarded to researchers within CASCADE, covering a range of topics.  Action for Children’s Serious Organised Crime Early Intervention Service (SOCEIS) Evaluation A pioneering programme aimed at diverting young people away from a life of serious organised crime has been awarded to Dr Nina Maxwell at CASCADE, Cardiff University by… Read More

Are there some useful techniques to consider when searching for research studies in Children’s Social Care?

Last week What Works for Children’s Social Care published its latest report.  The report summarises the findings of a study of five techniques to guide those searching for research studies of relevance to children’s social care. Alison Weightman, who led the study from the Specialist Unit for Review Evidence (SURE) at Cardiff University in collaboration with the… Read More

CASCADE and What Works for Children’s Social Care: Partners in research but no longer the Research Partner

In November 2017, the Department for Education announced that CASCADE would be its Research Partner for the What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care. Nesta were awarded a contract to help incubate and deliver the Centre itself.     It’s been nearly three years since then, and much has changed. The What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care has been renamed and firmly established… Read More

How has Covid-19 impacted the experience of Young People Leaving Care?

Coinciding with the start of National Care Leavers Week, a new research report is released today concerned with young people leaving care during Covid-19. The research was jointly funded by Voices from Care Cymru and Cardiff University, and involved contributions from 21 care experienced young people and 23 professionals. The report provides valuable insights into… Read More

Child Criminal Exploitation

Children’s social care practice faces several challenges to delivering better outcomes for young people – none more complex and damaging than criminal exploitation. Every day multi-agency services and practitioners are successfully safeguarding children, but when the system fails the effects are devastating to individuals, their families and our communities. With over twenty years’ experience of… Read More

CASCADE report recommends improvements to secure accommodation for children in Wales

The study was commissioned by Social Care Wales. A CASCADE led report, ‘The experiences and outcomes of young people from Wales receiving Secure Accommodation Orders’, published its findings and recommendations today. The aim of the study was to get a full and true picture of the experiences of children and young people from Wales placed… Read More