The cost of raising a child: financial support for parents/carers living in poverty

Eradicating Child poverty is the key government priority for the First Minister and this internship offers a unique opportunity to be part of this exciting and high profile area. Specifically, the work will contribute to increasing our understanding of how best to support families experiencing poverty in Scotland.  The successful intern will undertake an evidence review to explore the financial […]

The economic case for ‘Coming Home’ for people who have learning disabilities and complex needs

This project contributes towards the First Minister’s Mission to reduce delayed discharges. It will provide the intern with opportunities to contribute towards an important and impactful policy area, gain practical experience of how policy is developed and implemented in collaboration with stakeholders, and gain insight into the use of data and evidence in Scottish Government. […]

Employability pathways in prisons: understanding the current employability provision in prisons and how it supports people prior to release

The project will work with community justice policy staff, as well as research staff, and will focus on SPS’s current employability provision for people in custody, including mapping the breadth and impact of current provision as well as how this supports people prior to release. The suggested methodology for the study is as follows:    A proforma will be sent out […]

Balancing Safety and Wellbeing: Comparative Research on Personal Items in Use in Custody

The intern will work with the FAI taskforce team and research colleagues, and will focus on: • Mapping current SPS policies and practices regarding personal items in use, with particular attention to recent changes and their operational impact. • Gathering staff perspectives especially from governors and frontline staff on the challenges, opportunities, and practicalities of implementing these policies. Noting that existing […]

Shaping Scotland’s LEO Schools Data: Exploring potential for policy impact

A scoping piece to understand the interest and research opportunities among Scottish Government policy teams and key stakeholders such as SDS and Education Scotland regarding a new Scottish LEO schools dataset (tax and benefits data linked to school leavers data) – which is expected to be available in 2026/27. This project would involve structured engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, conducting […]