Here are details of the SFI publications coming up in the months ahead. 

June 2009     |    Outcomes for families in Scotland
supported by SOLACE Scotland and the Social Work Inspection Agency
Considering the particular tradition of social work in Scotland including the distinctive children’s hearing system which has been a unique component of child protection and youth justice for the last 40 years since the Kilbrandon Commission.

July 2009    |    The new social evils
edited by Michael Bichard and Julia Unwin
part-supported by Joseph Rowntree Foundation
What are today’s social evils and are they different from the past? This pamphlet enters the debate about what is wrong with modern society and what we need to do about it. The pamphlet supports a major research and consultation exercise undertaken by JRF and brings it to the most senior of audiences.

September 2009    |    Shared services in a global economy
edited by Wendy Thomson
One issue that absorbs attention internationally as well as in the UK is shared services. Shared services eliminate duplication and release capacity for priority services. By collaborating behind the scenes organisations get to focus on customers at the front of house. Given the extent of the global economic downturn and the predictable and severe tightening of public finances in the near future it will gain even greater importance.  This pamphlet will bring an international focus to the economic challenge and the public and private sector forces driving and sometimes constraining progress.
This pamphlet will also be supported by a seminar event with high profile figures from local government. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both the pamphlet and the event.

October 2009    |    Challenging behaviour
edited by Katherine Kerswell
part-supported by the Leadership Centre
This is our conference edition of SFI. Published to coincide with and support the SOLACE Annual Conference 21-23 October in Brighton. The theme combines the zeitgeist issues of “behaviour change” – how authorities work with the public to influence the demand and shape of public services by changing individual’s lifestyle behaviour – and the public spending Armageddon envisaged by some.

December 2009   |   Wikinomics, mass collaboration and public services
supported by the IDeA
President Obama was the first world leader to understand the importance of mass collaboration in political campaigning. Global businesses are now familiar with the term wikinomics and how internet technology is opening up new frontiers for access to ideas, enthusiasm and expertise. Local government and public services have yet to understand what impact these movements will have for them. This pamphlet will set the agenda in thought leadership.