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In most advanced countries, young people are now expected to remain in education until the age of 18 and, in a context of poor opportunities for those who leave at an early stage, there are concerns about those who are being left behind. In this paper we use comparable survey data to focus on the destinations of young people in two contrasting societies, England and Wales and Japan. We compare the destinations of 19/20-year-olds in the two countries, with a strong focus on those who leave education at an early stage, and go on to explore the extent to which young people's socio-economic backgrounds and their orientations to education explain their post-school experiences. We argue that, in both societies, those who enter the labour market before the age of 20 face severe difficulties irrespective of their social background. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Previous authors have drawn attention to the role played by loan-financed public works in reducing mortality in England and Wales during the latter part of the nineteenth century. These arguments have often been based on an analysis of the loans sanctioned by the Government's central health departments following the creation of the first General Board of Health in 1848, but little attempt has been made to disaggregate the loans either by function or geographical area. Moreover, as the Local Government Board itself acknowledged, it is also important to take account of the large number of loans which were approved by other means. This paper offers the first large-scale chronological account of the full range of loans which were either approved by Local Act of Parliament or sanctioned by a central department throughout the whole of the period from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the start of the First World War. Although it largely supports the outline provided by previous research, it draws new attention to the importance of the loans which were authorised in the wake of the US Civil War in the 1860s. It also explores the relationship between these loans and the decline of mortality in areas which have previously been identified as 'high-performing and high-contributing areas' to Britain's late nineteenth-century mortality decline, and makes an initial attempt to link these loans to the improvements which occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a meta-Malmquist index for measuring productivity change of the water industry in England and Wales and compares this to the traditional Malmquist index. The meta-Malmquist index computes productivity change with reference to a meta-frontier, it is computationally simpler and it is circular. The analysis covers all 22 UK water companies in existence in 2007, using data over the period 1993-2007. We focus on operating expenditure in line with assessments in this field, which treat operating and capital expenditure as lacking substitutability. We find important improvements in productivity between 1993 and 2005, most of which were due to frontier shifts rather than catch up to the frontier by companies. After 2005, the productivity shows a declining trend. We further use the meta-Malmquist index to compare the productivities of companies at the same and at different points in time. This shows some interesting results relating to the productivity of each company relative to that of other companies over time, and also how the performance of each company relative to itself over 1993-2007 has evolved. The paper is grounded in the broad theory of methods for measuring productivity change, and more specifically on the use of circular Malmquist indices for that purpose. In this context, the contribution of the paper is methodological and applied. From the methodology perspective, the paper demonstrates the use of circular meta-Malmquist indices in a comparative context not only across companies but also within company across time. This type of within-company assessment using Malmquist indices has not been applied extensively and to the authors' knowledge not to the UK water industry. From the application perspective, the paper throws light on the performance of UK water companies and assesses the potential impact of regulation on their performance. In this context, it updates the relevant literature using more recent data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the views of scholars from Australia, Canada, Scotland, France and Sweden on the current working of the Family Justice system in England and Wales, and comparing the experience here with those using the system in their own jurisdiction using vignettes describing a typical divorce and child protection case. The authors identify any special features of their own system which might be of interest here. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Despite the attention of a number of scholars over the last half-century, the origins and early history of the chantry remain obscure. The following paper considers several examples of early medieval commemorative practice which may have been significant in the development of the chantry, and concludes with an attempt to establish something of an institutional, liturgical and architectural context for the medieval chantry as it found expression in later medieval England and Wales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ilbery B. and Saxena G. Integrated rural tourism in the English-Welsh cross-border region: an analysis of strategic, administrative and personal challenges, Regional Studies. Cross-border tourism development is fraught with tensions, as is evident in the English-Welsh cross-border region. This paper examines strategic, administrative, and personal challenges in developing and promoting integrated approaches to rural tourism in the region. It is argued that the concept of integrated rural tourism could be useful to agencies already engaged in promoting coordination through enterprise and innovation. However, findings suggest that, whilst integrated rural tourism was welcomed by respondents as an opportunity to foster partnership modes of working across the border, limitations posed by existing administrative boundaries and weak inter-sectoral collaboration greatly impede the growth of a strategic vision. [image omitted] Ilbery B. et Saxena G. Le tourisme rural integre dans la region transfrontliere anglo-galloise: une analyse des defis strategiques, administratifs et personnels, Regional Studies. Le developpement du tourisme transfrontalier est lourd de tensions, ce qui est evident dans la region transfrontaliere anglo-galloise. Cet article cherche a examiner les defis strategiques, administratifs et personnels quant au developpement et a la promotion des facons integrees d'aborder la question du tourisme rural dans la region. On affirme que la notion de tourisme rural integre pourrait aider les agences qui s'engagent deja a la promotion de la coordination par moyen de l'esprit d'entreprise et de l'innovation. Cependant, les resultats laissent voir que les horizons delimites en fonction de circonscriptions d'action administratives et par la collaboration inter-sectorielle faible entravent sensiblement la naissance d'une vision strategique, alors que les personnes interrogees ont accueilli favorablement la possibilite de promouvoir un partenariat transfrontalier. Tourisme rural integre Point de vue relationnel Initiatives transfrontalieres Frontiere anglo-galloise Agences institutionnelles Ilbery B. und Saxena G. Integrierter landlicher Tourismus in der Grenzregion von England und Wales: eine Analyse der strategischen, verwaltungstechnischen und personlichen Probleme, Regional Studies. Wie in der Grenzregion von England und Wales deutlich wird, ist die Entwicklung eines grenznahen Tourismus mit Spannungen verbunden. In diesem Beitrag werden die strategischen, verwaltungstechnischen und personlichen Probleme bei der Entwicklung und Forderung von integrierten Ansatzen des landlichen Tourismus in der Region untersucht. Es wird argumentiert, dass das Konzept des integrierten landlichen Tourismus fur Akteure nutzlich sein konnte, die sich durch Unternehmungen und Innovation bereits an einer Forderung der Koordination beteiligen. Allerdings legen die Ergebnisse nahe, dass ein integrierter landlicher Tourismus von den Umfrageteilnehmern zwar als Chance zur Forderung einer partnerschaftlichen grenzubergreifenden Zusammenarbeit begrusst wurde, zugleich aber das Entstehen einer strategischen Vision durch Einschrankungen aufgrund der vorhandenen verwaltungstechnischen Grenzen und einer mangelnden Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Sektoren erheblich behindert wurde. Integrierter landlicher Tourismus Beziehungsperspektive Grenzuberschreitende Initiativen Grenzregion von England und Wales Institutionelle Akteure Ilbery B. y Saxena G. Turismo rural integrado en la region transfronteriza de Inglaterra y Gales: un analisis de retos estrategicos, administrativos y personales, Regional Studies. El desarrollo del turismo transfronterizo esta plagado de tensiones, tal como se observa claramente en la region transfronteriza de Inglaterra y Gales. En este articulo analizamos los retos estrategicos, administrativos y personales al desarrollar y fomentar enfoques integrados para el turismo rural en la region. Sostenemos que el concepto de turismo rural integrado podria ser util para las agencias que ya se ocupan de fomentar la coordinacion mediante negocios e innovacion. Sin embargo, los resultados indican que si bien el turismo rural integrado era bienvenido por los entrevistados como una ocasion para fomentar los metodos de colaboracion transfronteriza, los obstaculos planteados por las limitaciones administrativas existentes y la debil colaboracion intersectorial dificultan en gran medida el crecimiento de una vision estrategica. Turismo rural integrado Perspectiva relacional Iniciativas transfronterizas Frontera de Inglaterra y Gales Agencias institucionales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research indicates that problem gambling is often associated with crime. Most of this research is focussed on individual psychological cases or data sets examining the relationship between crime rates and location of gambling venues. There is little international research on the response of criminal courts in recognising and accepting problem gambling as a reason for committing crime. This paper provides an examination of the Court of Appeal decisions in England and Wales from January 2000 to January 2009 drawing on the original cases and appeals. The findings of this research are relevant to an international audience where problem gambling is dismissed as a reason for committing crime when facing sentence. It was concluded that although judges recognised problem gambling as a condition, problem gambling did not appear to be accepted as a factor explaining the commission of the crime in England and Wales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper situates the politics of canoeing on inland rivers in England and Wales in the context of property rights and protest repertoires. We argue that the dominance of property rights has created an asymmetrical position that has underpinned riparian rights holders' claims to exclusive use of rivers while simultaneously delegitimizing the apparently equally valid claims of paddlers and others seeking access along rivers. Utilizing a netnographic approach we interrogate the adopted cultural positions of canoeists as 'roving bandit' and 'social pirate' through a study of online discussion. By adopting identities as 'bandit' and 'pirate', paddlers seek to unsettle the hegemony over property relations exercised by anglers to win concessions for use and enjoyment of rivers. Informed by Mancur Olson's theory of property settlement by outlaws, we argue that these identities do more to substantiate the claims of anglers to possession than further the cause of paddlers to securing greater access. In order to substantiate their claims, paddlers need to shift the point of their attack from that characterized by the roving and ephemeral bandit to that of the settled ruler, in the process establishing a claim over inland waters that is as strong as that already imposed by the anglers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: Neurobehavioural disability (NBD) has a major impact on long-term psychosocial outcome following acquired brain injury (ABI). A recent review highlighted that a reliable and valid measure that can adequately capture the subtle and varied characteristics of NBD has yet to be developed. In this paper, the work underpinning the 'St Andrews-Swansea Neurobehavioural Outcome Scale' (SASNOS) is described using a conceptual framework underpinned by the WHO ICF. The intention is that SASNOS will provide a reliable and valid means of measuring NBD. Methods and procedures: Three hundred and thirty-six sets of ratings were made regarding ABI and neurologically healthy samples. The initial pool of 117 items was subjected to exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Reliability and validity of the new measure were determined using a range of appropriate statistical methods. Main outcomes: Forty-nine items were retained, falling into five principal factors. Content and construct validity are calculated. SASNOS has excellent discriminant/diagnostic validity. Inter-rater and test-re-test reliability are good. Conclusions: SASNOS has a range of clinical and research applications and can be employed when measuring outcome. This new measure will enable neurorehabilitation services to directly compare the clinical populations they serve using the same frame of reference for NBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Concerns have been raised about inpatient mental health care. An accreditation model can improve compliance with standards associated with improved quality of health care. Aims: To explore the effects of a standards-based, peer review, accreditation model on standards of care in acute inpatient wards and explore how staff achieved change. Method: Quality of care was assessed by independent peer review against evidence-based standards in an accreditation process. Staff from the 11 wards receiving subsequent accreditation were interviewed to find out what processes had enabled accreditation. Results: Sixteen wards enrolled: four achieved immediate and 11 subsequent accreditation. The most common reasons for initial failure of accreditation were lack of psychological therapies or 1:1 time for patients, and presence of ligature points. Ward staff perceived the accreditation process improved communication, gave power to negotiate for resources, clear guidance how to practice, rewarded good practice and led to additional unrelated improvements in care. Conclusions: Acute wards need to attend to basic safety and provide talking treatments (both formal psychotherapy and basic time spent with patients). An accreditation, peer-reviewed, standards-based process can enable staff to feel confident about improvements in the quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how A-level students construct relationships between work and happiness in their accounts of choosing mathematics and further mathematics A-level. I develop a theoretical framework that positions work and happiness as opposed, managed and working on the self and use this to examine students' dual engagement with individual practices of the self and institutional practices of school mathematics. Interviews with students acknowledge four imperatives that they use as discursive resources to position themselves as successful/unsuccessful students: you have to work, you have to not work, you have to be happy, you have to work at being happy. Tensions in these positions lead students to rework their identities or drop further mathematics. I then identify the practices of mathematics teaching that students use to explain un/happiness in work, and show how dependable mathematics and working together are constructed as 'happy objects' for students, who develop strategies for claiming control over these shapers of happiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of goods as private, public, club and common pool resource (CPR) (based on their properties of excludability and rivalry in consumption) is used to analyse changes to upland farming agricultural policy priorities, away from objectives considered to be 'in the public good' to the provision of 'public goods'. Unregulated upland commons are CPRs that produce private goods (e.g. food) and public goods (e.g. landscape and biodiversity). But, local associations with effective powers to exclude farmers with no grazing rights and regulate grazing by farmers with grazing rights change them into club goods. Private goods are marketable, so there is an incentive for commoners to produce them at the expense of public good. To readdress this balance in favour of public goods, the agreement of all commoners is needed, for example, to enter the commons into an agri-environmental scheme. Government can intervene to increase public good provision from uplands; their choice of instrument being principally influenced by ecological effectiveness (ability to produce the type and quantity of the good required) and transaction costs. This paper discusses the decision of government to intervene through legislation that empowers local associations in England and Wales by introducing commons councils against a background of changing agricultural support programmes for upland farming. The reasons why land managers may support this institutional reform are reviewed, and the importance of the financial model used to underpin the work of commons councils is discussed. There is no reason why similar legislation could not be used to support the club provision of public goods in lowland areas, which exhibit environmental characteristics similar to upland commons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the impact of the recession on the delivery of design quality in England and Wales. It does so against the background of numerous positive policy developments as regards planning and design over the past decade, but the rather uneven delivery of better design outcomes. The focus is principally on housing development as the development sector with the most impact on the built environment, but other forms of development are also considered. Two brief case studies are presented to illustrate the short-term responses of developers to the credit crunch and their design implications, and then the policy responses of the New Labour government and their agencies to the crisis are critically examined. Future policy priorities and their potential impact on design quality are explored. The implications of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government responses to the recession, and their programme of dramatic cuts in public expenditure, are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Portable Antiquities Scheme for recording the archaeological finds made by the public, the metal composition and weight of medieval coins, the distribution of Byzantine coins in England and Wales, and several archaeological research papers based on fieldwork in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The papers' titles are "Mass Execution Burial of Viking Raiders," "Bringing a Lost Anglo-Saxon Monastery to Life," "Mapping Wallingford Castle," "An Enigmatic Viking-Age Nucleated Settlement in Orkney," "From Ringfort to Fort: Tulsk Excavations and Survey," "Dark Earths in Dorchester Allotments," and "A Leper Hospital in Winchester."

Using pooled data from four separate nationwide surveys of local election candidates conducted from 2006-09 the paper assesses the role and importance of parties in the recruitment and selection of candidates. In many respects candidates are similar to councillors with men outnumbering women in a two to one ratio, with very few non-white candidates coming forward for selection and an age bias towards older rather than younger people. Candidates are found generally to have higher educational qualifications and to be employed in professional and managerial populations than in the public at large. Although a majority of candidates are resident in the ward that they contest a large fraction live elsewhere, suggesting that local parties cast the net widely during the recruitment process. The data suggest that the recruitment networks used by parties are relatively closed with many candidates reporting prior experience as local party officer holders or as members of charitable organisations and local public bodies. For two-thirds of candidates the initial decision to stand follows from a request by someone else, often a fellow party member. Women are more likely to be asked than men. Although candidates are aware of the current under-representation of some social and ethnic groups they are generally against using affirmative action measures to redress any imbalance. Although local parties are sometimes seen as contributing towards the problem of under-representation of some groups on council benches the data suggest than an increase in independent candidates would be unlikely to improve the situation and could perhaps cause it to deteriorate still further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a radical critique of the competence-driven initial teacher education (ITE) paradigm, focusing on the official standards for qualified teacher status in England and Wales, the legal basis for teacher education courses, and specifically the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Broadly, the developing perspective here is that based on critical pedagogy (CP), as presented and proposed by Paulo Freire and others, thus providing a theoretical base for pertinent exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, based on a project funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council considering how people position themselves in relation to popular representations of mathematics and mathematicians, we explore constructions of mathematicians in popular culture and the ways learners make meanings from these. Drawing on an analysis of popular cultural texts, we argue that popular discourses overwhelmingly construct mathematicians as white, heterosexual, middle-class men, yet also construct them as 'other' through systems of binary oppositions between those doing and those not doing mathematics. Turning to the analysis of a corpus of 27 focus groups with school and university students in England and Wales, we explore how such images are deployed by learners. We argue that while learners' views of mathematicians parallel in key ways popular discourses, they are not passively absorbing these as they are simultaneously aware of the cliched nature of popular cultural images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic services in Scotland are evolving, based on similar developments previously in England and Wales. The Orchard Clinic in Edinburgh is the first medium secure unit to open in Scotland. This paper aims to describe the patients admitted to the unit in the first five years of its operation, to consider antecedents to their admission, patient characteristics and progress through the system. With the development of a new service it is important to benchmark against established services and, therefore, a comparison is made with earlier studies of forensic populations in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper challenges the overly positive image of the contribution made by religious education in England and Wales to the attainment of liberal educational aims that was recently presented in this journal, in the context of a review symposium on a festschrift celebrating the work and achievements of the influential British religious educator, Professor John Hull. An alternative reading is pursued that provides a more accurate and fair interpretation of the evidence. There is a discussion of the ideological character of British religious education and a consideration of the reasons why assertions of its 'success' by religious educators are currently so vocal. Critical attention is focused on two particular issues over which the influence of Hull on contemporary policy and practice is acknowledged: that of his dismissal of the accusation that multi-faith religious education confuses pupils, and that of current strategies in religious education to promote inter-religious and intercultural understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent decades have seen a growing 'pluralisation' of policing providers and authorisers in liberal democracies (Crawford 2003, Johnston and Shearing 2003). Some have interpreted this as part of a major transformation of policing in western liberal democracies that reflects fundamental shifts in the nature of governance (Bayley and Shearing 1996, 2001). Others have stressed continuities with the recent history of policing and the persistence of significant national and local differences in policing structures (Jones and Newburn 2002, Ferret 2004). These discussions have some parallels with wider debates about convergence and divergence in penality and the ways in which structural and cultural shifts influence policy developments across different societies (Garland 2001). We here examine recent changes in policing within two EU countries - Britain and the Netherlands. This paper discusses areas of similarity and difference in plural policing developments, and speculates about what factors might explain these. There is evidence of structural and cultural shifts working to shape policing in similar ways, but also of the mediating influence of distinctive national and local political institutions and cultures. These particular contexts provide possibilities for the resistance and re-shaping of global forces, as well as provide a framework for the emergence of distinct policy innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the investigation of volume crime cases and the processes of attrition through the investigative process using quantitative and qualitative data. More than 3000 burglary and motor vehicle cases in eight Basic Command Units in England and Wales, along with interview and documentary data, were analysed to identify the factors related to detection. Results indicated that whether an offender was caught at the scene; number of sources giving a name; number and types of forensic materials available; and number of other potential leads significantly increased the likelihood of detection. Implications of the research for police performance are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in convictions for internet-related sexual offending has led to new challenges for treatment providers. By 2005 nearly one-third of all sexual convictions in England and Wales were for internet-related sexual offending. In late 2006 a treatment programme for internet-related sexual offending (the i-SOTP) was given accreditation for use in the community by the National Probation Service (England and Wales). This paper reports on the clinical impact as assessed following completion of psychometric assessments pre- and post-treatment by a sample of 264 convicted offenders. Findings suggest an improvement in deficits concerning socio-affective functioning and a decrease in pro-offending attitudes. These changes are encouraging and support the view that widescale delivery of the programme should be continued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a theoretical critique of citizenship education in England and Wales, as a means of raising pedagogical considerations for teachers, and policy issues for curriculum makers and planners. Drawing on a range of recent empirical studies, we construct an analysis of practice and suggest that differences between dominant models of citizenship in England and Wales owe much to their histories. We suggest that such differences create opportunities for new curriculum-making practices as well as democratic possibilities in the context of citizenship education, at a time when curricula in both England and Wales are under revision. Considering school councils/forums as an exemplar of practice common to both contexts, we question the wisdom of schools employing a narrow conception of active citizenship, via forums, in order to demonstrate they are satisfying the relevant requirements of the Order for Citizenship in England, and aspects of the Personal and Social Education curriculum in Wales. While the exemplars are both from the UK context the arguments apply beyond these borders and to more general concerns regarding the development of global citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of civilian policing is indicative of public concerns regarding crime, community safety and the performance of the police, along with the recognition of the need for communities to engage in reducing crime and disorder. This paper examines three examples of 'civilian policing', including two 'Street Watch' schemes and a private security firm. It explores the legitimisation of civilian policing schemes by the police, along with the extent of public support and the impact upon crime reduction. Two of the case studies demonstrate the difficulties for the police in legitimising schemes that engage in the use of or threat of violence and what could be termed 'vigilantism'. Such activities can clearly undermine the legitimacy of the police, and more specifically the ideals of community policing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarises the findings of a study on second trimester abortion in England and Wales in 2005. Second trimester abortions constitute a relatively small proportion of the total number of legal abortions performed in these countries yet attract quite substantial public, and particularly media, attention. Discussion of these abortions has, however, been conducted within a context of little understanding of the factors which explain why they happen. This paper starts with a brief introduction to the policy context for provision of second trimester abortion, and a summary of existing research in the area. It then presents the results of a survey of 883 women on their own reasons why they had abortions in the second trimester. The key concept is that of "delay" and reasons for delay in seeking or obtaining abortion at five stages in the pathway to abortion. No clear, single reason emerges. Amongst the main reasons identified are uncertainty about what to do if they were pregnant, not realising they were pregnant, experiencing bleeding which may have been confused with continuing to have periods, and changes in personal circumstances. The paper ends with a consideration of the implications of the results for education, policy development and service provision. Cet article résume les conclusions d'une étude sur l'avortement du deuxième trimestre en Angleterre et au Pays de Galles en 2005. Les avortements du deuxième trimestre représentent une proportion relativement modeste du nombre total d'avortements légaux pratiqués dans ces pays, mais ils attirent beaucoup l'attention du public et en particulier des médias. Le débat sur ces avortements s'est néanmoins déroulé dans un contexte où les facteurs qui les expliquent sont mal compris. L'article commence par une brève présentation du contexte politique pour la pratique de l'avortement du deuxième trimestre, et un résumé de la recherche dans ce domaine. Il expose ensuite les résultats d'une enquête ayant demandé à 883 femmes leurs raisons pour avoir avorté au deuxième trimestre. Le concept clé est celui de « retard » et des raisons du retard de la demande et de l'obtention de l'avortement à cinq étapes de la voie vers l'avortement. Aucune raison claire et unique n'est apparue. Parmi les principales raisons identifiées, figurent l'incertitude sur la conduite à tenir en cas de grossesse, le fait que les femmes ignoraient qu'elles étaient enceintes, des pertes de sang leur ayant fait croire qu'elles continuaient à avoir leurs règles, et des changements dans leur situation personnelle. L'article s'achève en examinant les conséquences des résultats pour l'éducation, la définition des politiques et la prestation des services. En este artículo se resumen los resultados de un estudio sobre el aborto en el segundo trimestre, realizado en Inglaterra y Gales, en 2005. Los abortos de segundo trimestre constituyen una proporción relativamente pequeña del número total de abortos legales efectuados en estos países; sin embargo, atraen considerable atención pública, particularmente de los medios de comunicación. No obstante, el debate sobre estos abortos ha transcurrido en un contexto de poco entendimiento de los factores que explican por qué ocurren. Este artículo comienza con una introducción concisa al contexto de políticas para la prestación de servicios de aborto en el segundo trimestre, y un resumen de las investigaciones realizadas al respecto. Después, se presentan los resultados de una encuesta entre 883 mujeres sobre sus propios motivos para tener abortos en el segundo trimestre. El concepto clave es el de "demora" y las razones para aplazar la búsqueda u obtención de servicios de aborto en cinco etapas en la ruta hacia el aborto. No surge ninguna razón clara y única. Las principales razones mencionadas fueron: incertidumbre sobre qué hacer si estaban embarazadas, no darse cuenta de que estaban embarazadas, experimentar sangrado, que pudo haber sido confundido con continuar teniendo la regla, y cambios en circunstancias personales. Para concluir, se analizan las implicaciones de los resultados para la educación, la formulación de políticas y la prestación de servicios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the prevalence of, frequency of and factors underpinning, substance use by young people. The research augments previous exploration of the causes of youth drug use by integrating factor analysis into traditional statistical techniques to identify composite risk factors for different forms of drug use (any drugs, soft drugs, hard drugs, inhalants) by the youth population in Wales. The existing risk-focused research literature is further extrapolated through detailed investigation of the relative salience of risk factors by specific gender and age group in the Welsh sample. Reported drug use by the whole sample and specific sub-groups generally accorded with the findings of previous research with equivalent age groups in Wales, the UK and Europe. Those factors exerting the most influence upon youth drug use were: anti-social behaviour/attitudes, drug-related behaviour/attitudes, negative thinking, psychological problems and behavioural problems. This study affords a first tentative step on the road to a more comprehensive and sensitive exploration of the role of composite risk factors in drug taking behaviour by young people. Findings imply the need for comprehensive, multi-dimensional drug prevention programmes addressing multiple and composite risk factors, targeted appropriately upon specific sub-groups of the youth population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provision of natural green space within the broader umbrella of green infrastructure is now a matter of increasing importance to policy makers and decision takers in the land-use planning system. This paper examines the evolution of this new policy area. Reference is made to research studies dealing with attitudes to such spaces and consideration is given to the 'quality of life' agenda when addressing both growth and regeneration strategies. A methodology for the future development and appraisal of such policy is advanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new housing growth programme planned for England and Wales between now and 2016 could provide the government with an opportunity to build housing to significantly higher environmental performance (EP) standards. Equally, if the government continues with its current strategy a great opportunity could be missed. This paper considers and critically analyses the government's approach to ensuring higher EP standards in new housing. Using Greenwich Millennium Village as a case study it assesses the likely outcomes of the approach. It suggests how regulation, fiscal incentives and educational programmes could help to deliver better EP amongst housing and households in the growth region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the perceptions of tourists and gatekeepers (such as tour operators and destination marketing organizations) on integrated rural tourism (IRT), noting their role in consuming and marketing the more recently acknowledged qualities of rurality, such as food processing, creativity and the arts, heritage and outdoor recreation. The focus is on the potential for IRT development in the England-Wales border region, an atypical tourist destination, peripheral in character and lacking a consolidated tradition of well-established destinations. Results from tourist questionnaires suggest that their overall experience in the region is positive, but one that can improve further with progress on the key dimensions of IRT. Findings also indicate that, while the national border presents a unique opportunity for cooperative branding and marketing efforts, only a few gatekeepers are capitalizing on the brand of the 'Marches' (the border) to promote the market and visual presence of the region, both nationally and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper conducts a mapping for the regions of England and Wales of legal specialisms which are explained in terms of spatial forces of gravitation. There are geographic barriers to access to justice arising out of the 'friction of distance'. There is a filter effect which varies, depending on the type of legal problem which correlates with distance in respect of some categories of legal work which, in turn, raises considerations of territorial justice. Whether the role of law in this respect is thought of as a matter of access to justice or of access to competitive advantage raises important issues as to the effectiveness of the current organisation of the legal profession. Significant questions arise as to the capacity of solicitor firms within the regions of England and Wales to support the development of regional knowledge-based economic strategies. In turn, this has implications for the reform of the court structure in England and Wales and also various policy considerations in respect of nurturing the development of high level legal skills within the regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although vehicle-related offending and traffic offenders are of interest to some behavioural psychologists, criminologists have been less enthused and their concern has been largely restricted to crime to vehicles rather than crime by drivers or wider society. Both disciplines have, however, largely ignored the contribution of women to vehicle-related offending statistics, mirroring the pattern seen in regard to mainstream offending. This paper attempts to plug the gap by considering the relative contributions of men and women to motoring conviction data and self-report offending studies. To some extent it also does this by age, where evidence for a "ladette" style of driving among young women in England and Wales is examined from the conviction data. In general, a gender gap similar to that in mainstream crime is noted, and key theoretical explanations that could account for this are assembled. Implications for improving road safety and research are then considered given this gap and emerging support for the non-homogeneity of female driving styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable literature has been written over the last decade which indicates that the National Curriculum for Physical Education in England and Wales is being delivered ineffectively in primary schools. This paper discusses the key issues currently faced within primary PE and identifies why within Physical Education, primary matters appear to be of secondary importance, despite research indicating that such a stage of schooling holds the key to lifelong physical activity and proficiency in more complex activities such as sport. It is argued that to create a more successful model of PE and sport within the UK there needs to be a shifting of priorities and resources into the primary sector and the creation of a 'bottom-up' model, rather than continue to pursue policies that are 'top-down' in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the findings obtained from a detailed questionnaire completed by selected head teachers (n = 129), deputy heads (n = 81), middle managers (n = 178) and form tutors (n = 91) in schools within local education authorities located throughout England and Wales. The questionnaire focused upon the respondents’ views on the best ways to manage school attendance. Additionally, semi-structured follow-up interviews were conducted with 30 respondents from each category. The respondents’ views are mainly presented in tabular form and the results obtained from the four groups are compared and contrasted. The findings indicate that a clear majority of staff had received ‘none’ or ‘very little’ professional development training on the management of school attendance. Staff considered that the introduction of more alternative/vocational curriculum schemes was the best single solution to improve pupils’ attendance. Parents condoning their children’s absence and taking them out of school for holidays during term time were the two most serious issues in the management of school attendance which presently face all grades of teaching staff. Respondents varied in their opinions of which member of staff was in the best position to help absentees and truants to reintegrate back into school successfully. Findings are considered in the context of recent work and the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on decision making in adult social care in England and Wales. It focuses on a review of the Act by the government in June 2006 and subsequent new guidance on implementation addressed to policy makers, managers and practitioners. The meaning of "rights" in contemporary legal and social theory is considered and the potential of human rights law to improve the experiences of service users is evaluated in the light of recent research findings and proposed policy changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A core element of government policy for child and family services in Wales and England is the notion of multi-agency collaboration in order to meet the needs of children, and in particular the use of a basic common assessment tool in order to provide information swiftly and consistently when making referrals. This paper reports on a Welsh Assembly Government funded study to design and test a common assessment framework (CAF) for referring children in need to social services. The scheme was piloted by a social services department and its partners in an urban local authority area in South Wales, and results were compared with data gathered from a neighbouring authority that used an alternative method for obtaining information at the point of referral. A semi-experimental method of evaluation indicated that the CAF did facilitate better information sharing and did appear to promote a more focused service response to referrals. However, it also revealed a limited capacity among some occupational groups to engage with particular assessment fields in the CAF that required comments on aspects of child development. It was also evident that some professionals were unlikely to seek the views of children when completing the CAF. In this respect, introducing a CAF may well expose the need for ongoing integrated training in the concepts and conduct of assessment to help generate skills and consistency at the local level—neither of which should be assumed to be present in advance of implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the current state of counselling as provided by local education authorities (LEAs) to secondary schools in England and Wales. A questionnaire was sent to all 172 LEAs in England and Wales. The data suggest that the counselling provision is highly variable and somewhat fragmented in scope. The data also indicate that the perception of the role of school counselling services by educational professionals varies considerably, and that there were a number of issues concerning integrated versus decentralized forms of provision. The study has a number of implications for the main stakeholders, including schools, LEAs, pupils and parents, concerning future developments in this increasingly important policy area. These relate to minimum qualifications for counsellors, confidentiality, accessibility to pupils and funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports findings from research conducted for the Environment Agency1 investigating the social distribution of the risk of flooding in England and Wales. Following a broadly outcome based analysis, and using socio-geographic modelling techniques and the 1991 Census, the social class characteristics of the population at risk from flooding were explored and compared with the population considered not at risk as a means to uncover any evidence of social inequality. The Environment Agency indicative flood plain maps (1 in 100 year return for fluvial and 1 in a 200 year return for tidal flooding) were used to identify at risk areas. Two different methods of capturing the at risk population were employed; one based on census enumeration districts and the other using surface population models which redistribute the area population over a grid surface of the area of interest. The two methods provide completely different results. The enumeration district method indicates that those in higher social classes are the most likely to be exposed to flood hazard while the grid method indicates that it is those in the lower social classes who are most at risk. We suggest that the grid method provides a more accurate analysis but highlight the significant effect that the choice of areal unit and spatial analysis can have on conclusions about the extent of any inequality in vulnerability to flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically discusses recent attempts to estimate long-term trends in the stillbirth rate for England and Wales. It assesses the available historical evidence for the level of late-fetal mortality, drawing especially on examples from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. A theoretical fetal–infant life table for a high-mortality population is also outlined as a means of analysing the relationship between segments of the conception-to-first-birthday mortality curve. Finally, new estimates of the stillbirth rate for England and Wales are proposed, based on variations in the early neonatal and maternal mortality rates during the 1930s. These estimates are substantially lower than the earlier estimates and are more in keeping with the available evidence from northern Europe. The implications of the revised estimates for interpretations of historical changes in mortality patterns are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study completed in 2000 into the policymaking process for recreation and tourism in AONBs across England and Wales, with particular focus on the key influencing role of communication within this process. A number of practical measures, which might aid AONB communication and collaboration for policy development and implementation in the future, are derived from the research. In addition, the findings of the study lend weight to calls (current at the time of the research) for enhanced powers and funding for AONBs, particularly in respect of recreation and tourism provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notwithstanding the apparent consensus in the UK over the last half a century that the 'key goal' of physical education (PE) is to prepare young people for lifelong participation in physical activity ( Kirk, 2002 ), it is evident that the types of PE programmes and activities viewed as most likely to achieve this outcome remain a highly contentious issue. Grounded in sociological work on the 'new condition' of youth ( Roberts, 1999 ), alongside data from various participation surveys in England and Wales, this paper responds to what is seen as the alleged failure of multi-activity, sport-based PE programmes to facilitate lifelong participation in sport and physical activity. It is argued that when developments in PE curricula in England and Wales are considered alongside trends in participation among young people, it is apparent that participation in sport and physical activity has become part of present-day youth cultures. This may well be due, at least in part, to the ways in which multi-activity PE programmes have facilitated the development of wide sporting repertoires among young people, by introducing them to a broad range of sports as well as 'lifestyle activities'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past 25 years have seen an accelerating erosion of the comprehensive 'ideal' in England and Wales. Parental choice has replaced centralized LEA allocation of pupils, systems for engineering a balanced social mix in schools have been largely abandoned, and the introduction of 'league tables' to measure the comparative effectiveness of individual schools has led to a polarization of secondary school intakes--the very opposite of what the original comprehensive system was intended to achieve. The current Labour government has created a range of differing 'types' of secondary schools, including 'beacon', 'specialist', and 'training' schools, as well as planning to increase the provision of 'faith' schools. Prominent government spokespersons have disparaged the 'bogstandard' comprehensive school, and called for an end to the 'one size fits all' rationale for secondary education. The paper examines the reasons behind the erosion of the comprehensive ideal in England and Wales. There is no simple party political division to explain the abandonment of the comprehensive school; no single vote, debate, or act of parliament to mark its end, and no commission of enquiry, report, or unequivocal body of research evidence to justify the policy moves away from 'the common school'. The study of the strange death of the comprehensive ideal in England and Wales provides interesting insights into the ways in which educational policy is made and unmade in modern democratic societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of recent developments in needs assessment in England and Wales. It describes the origins of the Legal Services Commission, the Community Legal Service and Community Legal Service Partnerships. It describes how changes to the civil legal aid system in England and Wales, and in particular the introduction of a limited budget, necessitated a new emphasis on targeting legal aid funds on the basis of ‘need’. It shows that effective targeting within a context of limited resources requires proper knowledge of populations vulnerable to the experience of ‘justiciable’ problems,¹ the impact of problems, the strategies that are used to deal with problems, and the effectiveness of different strategies. It describes the methods that are being used by the Legal Services Commission to assess ‘ need’ and sets out some key findings of the first LSRC periodic survey of justiciable problems, illustrating how the legal aid system in England and Wales might evolve to best meet government objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The national DNA Database of England & Wales is the largest forensic DNA database in the world. Since 1995 it has quickly developed to hold the genetic profiles of over two million people. This collection of tissue samples, taken without consent from a sizeable collection of the population, has engendered a number of ethical commentaries on its legitimacy as a proportionate response to crime. This paper examines the ways in which the ethical discourses, which surround the uses of the National DNA Database, drew upon and deployed a number of distinct representations of DNA. It is argued that key ideas about DNA have become central to everyday assertions about the benefits and dangers of this forensic technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its origins as a philanthropic activity, the practice of social work in the UK has, numerically at least, been dominated by women. This continues to be the case, though fewer women are presenting themselves as candidates for training courses, and men do not appear to be taking their place. In addition, social workers are leaving their posts for alternative career opportunities. As a consequence there is a staffing shortage, which in some parts of London and the south-east of England, is said to have reached crisis proportions. Whilst there are a number of reasons as to why this situation has evolved, this paper gives particular attention to the way in which new managerialism is contributing to the difficulties in retaining staff. The difficulties in recruiting staff are attributed not only to the low status that is afforded caring work in late modernity, but also the postfeminist context that provides women with new opportunities for paid work in the public sphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a survey of English and Welsh local authority planning departments which asked planning officers their views with respect to planning and renewable energy. National government dictates national policies. Local authority planners, however, feel uncoordinated and lacking when making decisions about such developments. Often battered by sophisticated assaults unleashed within the adversarial planning system arena, planning professionals are often left without the ability to compose counter-arguments with which to promote environmentally less damaging proposals in line with 'the greater good'. This has led to the rise of NIMBYism, lack of innovation and is a barrier to successful national renewable energy policy aims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the progress that local authorities in England and Wales are making in adapting to the threat of climate change and taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The responses from surveys of local authorities in England and Wales carried out in 2000 (IDeA , Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: survey of activities and initiatives by local authorities. (Questionnaire and results) Improvement and Development Agency, 2000 ) and 2002 (Allman et al., Climate Change: a survey of local authorities, Local Government Association, 2002) were compared. Progress in implementing the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) five-step methodology (ICLEI , Local Government Implementation of Climate Protection--report to the United Nations, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, 1997 ) was used to identify the 'successful' local authorities. The barriers faced by these authorities were then compared with those faced by the remaining local authorities . Most local authorities are not making substantial progress. However, a small number have successfully prepared greenhouse gas emissions inventories, developed strategies and implemented adaptation and greenhouse gas reduction measures. These successful authorities have made progress despite the fact that addressing climate change is not a legal requirement. Their success is due to three key factors. Firstly, they have recognised the secondary benefits of tackling climate change, e.g. potential employment, improved quality of life and reduction in fuel poverty. Secondly, they have the strong political, professional and technical support necessary to champion climate change activities. Finally, they have worked in partnership with utilities, private, public and voluntary groups to raise the finance needed to implement measures both to adapt to climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A shortage of medium secure psychiatric beds is widely recognized, but there is little data on patients referred for admission but not accepted. This paper examines the relationships between assessed need for and admission to medium security. The method used was interview survey with principal clinical assessors of patients assessed for admission to medium secure units in England and Wales in the first half of 1999. A stratified random sample totalling 418 patients from 34 medium secure units, including 98% of relevant beds nationally was used. Factors associated with being assessed as needing medium security (but not necessarily being admitted) included having features of acute schizophrenia, non-compliance with treatment, a history of sexually inappropriate behaviour, and being referred because of self-harm. A 'grave' current offence and a history of recent or many past custodial sentences were also important. For patients seen in prison, NHS or community services, just under a fifth of those assessed as needing medium security (especially long term) were not admitted, and just under a quarter of those admitted needed low or no security. It was concluded that the match between need for and admission to medium security is poor. Insufficient range of provision leads to inappropriate use of medium secure beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thousands of childcare social workers based in England and Wales need to complete the Post-Qualifying Childcare Award by 2006 if they wish to continue practising. Before commencing the Post-Qualifying Childcare Award, potential candidates must complete the Post-Qualifying Social Work Part 1 Award. Published research on Post-Qualifying Awards in Social Work (PQSW) is scarce. Whilst Brown et al. (2001, Making a Difference: A Guide to Running Personal Social Services Training Functions, NATOPSS, Birmingham) consider the issues of running social service training functions, this paper focuses on the completion and management of Bournemouth University's generic Part 1 programme using data from 44 interviews. The main purpose of the Part I programme is to enable and encourage students to critically reflect on their career and practice. Barriers to and facilitators of programme completion and those factors influencing portfolio deferral are also examined. Those in charge of running the programme recognise the need for further programme development work with line and training managers, integration of PQSW within human resource strategies and the clarity and timing of programme information. Further evidence is required before PQSW may be classed as a remedy for social work's ills. However, the programme is seen as a useful tool for candidates to demonstrate that they have improved their knowledge and skills since the point of qualification. It has also provided a method for identifying social workers who have difficulty in maintaining their professional development and who then require further training opportunities before they can be considered as appropriately skilled to undertake complex social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a personal reflection on the history and contribution of child and family guidance within the profession of educational psychology. It argues for a return to a child and family orientation within practice to ensure there is a better focus on children's needs. A recent change in the range of therapeutic options makes it more likely that modern child and family guidance will be both effective, cost-efficient, and less stifled by interprofessional ossification. The future of child and family guidance is considered in terms of the working party on the role of the educational psychologist in England and Wales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains the high level of industrial action undertaken by further education lecturers in post-incorporation colleges in England and Wales. Four main sources of conflict (job losses, casualisation of employment, conditions of service and pay) are identified, but these are shown to be symptoms rather than causal factors. Rather, due weight should be given to the importance of structural factors relating to the way in which the incorporation policy was enacted, underpinned by the values and orientations of the key actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]