After three years of studying theoretical academic concepts from journal articles and hefty textbooks throughout an undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology, the question of what’s next became apparent. With a passion for the constant accumulation of knowledge, I turned to the world of research. Before committing at least another four years of my life… Read More
Future Research Leaders
Now in its tenth year, Welsh Crucible is a highly competitive and award-winning personal, professional and leadership development programme for the future research leaders of Wales. Offered to just thirty people a year, the 2024 cohort includes two talented researchers from CASCADE – Verity Bennett and Helen Hodges. They join an illustrious alumnus which also… Read More
New Study Evaluating Welsh Family Drug and Alcohol Pilot (FDAC)
The evaluation explored whether the Welsh FDAC pilot was implemented as intended, if it had signs of potential, how it was experienced, and whether it could be scaled. The findings have shown that it was feasible to implement FDAC in the context of South Wales. There were also positive findings regarding experiences of the pilot,… Read More
CASCADE 10 Year celebration – Parents Group
The event featured rounds of short talks on past, current and future research and a specially created video documenting the history and aims of CASCADE. Which included members of our Public Involvement Board and Parents Group speaking about their impact. Dawn Boden from Health Care Research Wales, Wendy Larner the Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University,… Read More
Evidence Review contributes to evidence base for new Bill to remove private profit from children’s residential & foster care
The report has been published on the Welsh Government website, and coincides with the introduction of a new Bill on the 20th May by the Welsh Government to remove private profit from the care of looked-after children. Lead author of the report, Dr Jonathan Ablitt, said: “We’re pleased that CASCADE research has contributed to the… Read More
10 Years of CASCADE Voices
Written by Rachael Vaughan This year is not only the 10-year anniversary of CASCADE the research center, but it is also the 10 year anniversary of the CASCADE Voices Care Experienced Young People’s Research Advisory Group. In fact, I am reliably informed (by those who were there) that the young people’s group was set up… Read More
CASCADE – 10 years of Public Involvement
Written by Rachael Vaughan The involvement of those with lived experience has always been at the core of CASCADE’s values. Even before its inception in 2014, CASCADE worked in partnership with the care experienced young people at Voices From Care Cymru. As such they are part of the center’s foundations. However, since then, both CASCADE… Read More
Learning from parents about ethnic and religious inequality in social services
Written by Elaine Speyer As part of a research project looking at ethnic and religious inequality within child and family social services, we have been working with a group of parents, supported by EYST. The group has been set up to advise on the research project, so that it is relevant, and brings real benefits… Read More
Building CASCADE: from concept to impact
Written by Professor Sally Holland It feels like the blink of an eye since we launched CASCADE in May 2014 and quite a few people have asked me how on earth CASCADE got started. Do you just declare a research centre exists? Is there an application process? Did someone ask you to do it? The… Read More
Advice, support and challenge: Co-production in the Evaluation of the Welsh Basic Income Pilot for Care Leavers
Written by Professor Sally Holland CASCADE is leading a large and complex evaluation of an exciting pilot in Wales. This pilot involves over 600 care leavers aged 18 in Wales. They are being paid a basic income that is the equivalent to the living wage for two years between the ages of 18 and 20.… Read More