SGSSS-SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIP SCHEME PROJECTS STARTING SPRING 2015 ONWARDS Application Deadline

SGSSS-SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIP SCHEME PROJECTS STARTING SPRING 2015 ONWARDS

Application Deadline: 19th January 2015 at 5pm

The devolved Government for Scotland is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport.

Government social science research - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Research/About/Social- Research aims to provide high quality evidence and advice for Ministers and Scottish Government officials to inform policy development, implementation and evaluation. Social researchers in government help generate new ideas and open debate, challenge assumptions, beliefs and attitudes, test policy ideas and develop a deeper understanding of issues as they affect Scotland.

The core functions of researchers in government include:

• the interpretation of evidence and the provision of research based advice • engaging with the academic and wider research community to bring expert knowledge into the policy making process • commissioning external research projects • undertaking research such as reviews of the existing evidence base • disseminating research findings and encouraging their wider use

Social researchers work closely with other analysts in the Scottish Government, particularly statisticians and economists.

The Office of the Chief Researcher (OCR) in the Scottish Government is responsible for central co- ordination of the internship scheme. OCR also provides a strategic, corporate and professional support function across the Scottish Government.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY

What is an Internship?

An internship is a non-salaried work placement. The SGSSS-Scottish Government Internship Competition gives current SGSSS students (all students registered for a PhD degree in Scotland, however funded) the opportunity to apply to undertake an internship within an external organisation.

Working arrangements

All internships are on a full-time working basis for three months (13 weeks). A monthly stipend equivalent to the ESRC standard maintenance stipend will be paid to students on internships.

All internships (including pool applications) will be based in core Scottish Government Directorates or their agencies and be based in Edinburgh or Glasgow unless indicated by the project. Please see the 1

separate SGSSS document “Additional Information” which provides guidance on travel and accommodation reimbursement.

Successful applicants and their University supervisor will be asked to sign an agreement document prior to commencing their internship, covering administrative details such as procedures for annual leave, etc.

Eligibility

All SGSSS postgraduate students registered for a PhD who are, at the time of application, in full time study in a social science discipline (or part time but able to commit to full-time internship) , are invited to apply for the projects described below. Students may also apply for inclusion in a ‘pool’ if they wish to be considered for other unfilled advertised projects or others which may later arise in any area of the Scottish Government. Please note we cannot accept applications from non-social science students please check the SGSSS website for Pathway information which specifies the disciplines we cover. Students studying on health pathway can apply even if funded by MRC/CSO as health is one of our interdisciplinary pathways. http://www.socsciscotland.ac.uk

The Scottish Government prefers applicants to be in their second or third year of the PhD to apply due to the experience required to fulfil the internship opportunities. The internships will start throughout 2015. This scheme is open for all students notwithstanding how their PhD is funded, as long as other criteria are met, such as nationality.

If successful all students will take an interruption of studies so that they are not eligible for fees during the internship. Research supervisors need to give permission for students to apply for these opportunities. Successful applicants will receive the equivalent of a standard ESRC maintenance stipend for the three months while on internship.

All provisionally selected candidates will be required to receive security clearance as a condition of taking up the Internship. This requires having a valid Disclosure Certificate. Obtaining a Disclosure Certificate can take several weeks. Successful candidates should apply for a certificate as soon as possible. The cost of a certificate can later be claimed back as part of Travel and Subsistence expenses.

In order to work for the civil service, including as part of an internship, an individual must meet nationality criteria set out in the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Detailed guidance is available on the Civil Service web pages at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/resources/nationality-rules All applicants must ensure that they can meet these criteria in order to be eligible to undertake internships with the Scottish Government.

How to apply

Applicants should submit an online application form available on the SGSSS website, which includes space for a statement of support from your principal supervisor, along with a two-page CV.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 19th January 2015

You should clearly indicate whether the application is for a specific project and/or for inclusion in the general pool.

Applicants are free to apply all of the internships with the Scottish Government, in addition to the pool, to maximise their chances of obtaining an internship.

Although you can apply for more than one, candidates can only undertake one internship.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their applications and areas of interest by telephone with the Scottish Government contact (listed under each internship) in advance of submitting their application. If there are questions about the scheme as a whole please contact Richard Kay or Janice Clark, SGSSS (details below).

Students are encouraged to carefully consider the information requested in the application form and pay particular attention to setting out their expertise in particular research methods to address the desired skills listed. Applicants are often not required to have academic experience in the policy area of the internship unless specified in the project description. SGSSS encourage students to work outside the area of their PhD topic in order to gain wider experience.

Selection process

Interns will be selected by the SGSSS on the basis of their written application. An informal telephone discussion with applicants may also be held before final allocation of internships. All applicants will be contacted in early February 2015 by SGSSS to inform them of the status of their application.

Additional information

The Scottish Government Internship Scheme Manager is Rik Kay, email [email protected] and the SGSSS contact is [email protected] For more information about analytical services in the Scottish Government see:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About/Statistics-in-Scotland http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Research/About/Social-Research

For more information about Government Economic Service, Government Statistical Service and Government Social Research, see UK government websites: • http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/networks/ges • http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ • http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/networks/gsr

Reporting Requirements

Once the internship has finished, students are required to submit to the SGSSS an End of Internship Report within 2 months of completing the internship; outlining the project in which they were involved and providing feedback on their experience of working in the Scottish Government. We also expect that interns are willing to take up opportunities to speak to other students about their experience e.g. at the SGSSS Summer School.

THE INTERNSHIPS

There are 32 advertised internship projects available, in addition to the ‘pool’. See table overleaf.

No. Policy Area and Project Title Page No. National Records of Scotland 1 Analysis of 2011 Census data on address 12 months ago compared with migration 5 estimates from patient registers Scottish Prison Service 2 Transformational Change within the Scottish Prison Service 6 Transport Scotland 3 Analysis of Understanding Society Survey data exploring transport behaviours in 7 socially deprived areas in Scotland DG Enterprise, Environment and Innovation 4 Community land ownership 8 DG Communities 5 Commonwealth Games, Culture and Sports Internship 9 6 Housing and Welfare 10 7 Further Development of Business Rates Evidence Base 11 8 Public Service Reform 12 DG Health 9 Analysis of patient experience survey data from the Scottish care Experience Survey 13 Programme 10 Analysis of qualitative patient comments from Scottish Maternity Survey 15 11 Analysis of the contribution of Intermediate Care to shifting in the balance of care in 16 Scotland in the context of Health and Social Care Integration 12 Behavioural change for increasing bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in 18 out of hospital cardiac arrest: Learning from the international experience 13 Carers in Scotland – developing a Scottish Government research agenda 20 14 The demand for and costs of social care in Scotland 22 15 Developing a systematic approach to using feedback and complaints about Scotland’s 24 health and care services 16 Understanding the Impact of Quality Improvement in the Scottish Government 26 17 Young People and E-cigarettes: analysing data from a schools survey and reviewing the 27 literature 18 Young People and Tobacco: analysing data from the Scottish Adolescent Substance Use 29 and Lifestyle Survey 19 Young People in Scotland analysing data from the Scottish Adolescent Substance Use 31 and Lifestyle Survey DG Learning & Justice 20 Overview of methods and key messages from longitudinal studies of children and 34 young people 21 Higher Education Research and Analysis 36 22 Labour Market Research and Analysis 37 23 Analyses on Reoffending in Scotland 38 24 Community safety and violence in Scotland 39 25 Evidence review of barriers to compliance with offender management 40 26 Sectarianism and prejudice reduction in Scotland 41 DG Strategy & External Affairs 27 Analysis of Understanding Society longitudinal survey data for Scotland 42 28 Scottish Government Engagement Research 43 29 Scottish Government Evaluation of the People Strategy 44 30 Statistical analysis of drivers for sickness absence within the Scottish Government 45 31 Strategic Projects Team 46 32 Strategic projects 47

33 General Pool

National Records of Scotland Division/Team: Demographic Statistics: Population and Migration Statistics

Internship: Analysis of 2011 Census data on address 12 months ago compared with migration estimates from patient registers

Policy Context: It is increasingly important to have high quality statistics on migration and the population, for policy development and for planning and providing public services. Achieving this aim is challenging in the context of increasingly complex lifestyles and changes in migration to and from the UK over the last decade.

Migration is the most difficult component of population change to estimate; there is no comprehensive system which registers migration in the UK. Estimates of migration therefore have to be based on survey data and the best proxy data that exist

Project details

Improving Scotland’s migration estimates Births, deaths and migration are the three main components that are required in order to produce mid-year population estimates.

The migration component consists of internal and overseas migration is estimated using a combination of administrative and survey data.

The effectiveness of the National Health Service Central Register as a source for estimating internal migration is dependent upon people registering with their GP when they change address and this is known to be problematic in certain age groups. Furthermore, the sample size of the International Passenger Survey, which is used to estimate overseas migration, is very small for Scotland and consequently there is also uncertainty around these estimates.

Scotland’s recent 2011 Census provides a snapshot in time which allows us to compare our migration estimates against a Census of the entire population.

Comparisons of country of birth data from the 2001 and 2011 Censuses and our overseas migration estimates has already revealed that much of the 45,100 difference between the 2011 and 2001 Census based mid-2011 population estimates can be explained by an underestimation of overseas migration across the decade.

Recently we have gained access to address one year ago data from the 2011 Census and data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. In particular, these data sources will allow us to assess the accuracy of our estimates of internal migration.

Skills required The ability to work with large administrative and survey datasets. Knowledge of SAS would be desirable but not essential. Knowledge of statistical, demographic or quantitative methods.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Esta Clark Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 314 4298

Scottish Prison Service Division/Team: Strategy and Innovation, Research

Internship: Transformational Change within the Scottish Prison Service

Policy Context In late 2013 SPS published an Organisational Review which set out a revised operating philosophy and a radical transformational change agenda based on developing a person- centred, asset-based approach; promoting individual agency and self-efficacy to realise potential; strengthening links into communities; supporting throughcare; and investing in staff to enable them to be effective change agents. SPS’s Mission is to “provide services that help to transform the lives of people in our care so they can fulfil their potential and become responsible citizens”.

Project details The exact details of the internship will depend on the skills of the applicant and key policy developments at the time. The intern will have an opportunity to shape their own workload. The work is likely to focus on promoting desistance through the implementation of SPS’s Purposeful Activities Strategy (PAS). The PAS is conceived as “any activity or constructive interaction which promotes citizenship; develops learning and employability skills; builds life skills and resilience; addresses well-being; and motivates personal engagement with both prison and community based services”. All purposeful activity is to be designed, developed, delivered, supported, monitored and measured in line with this revised definition.

The intern will: • contribute to an approved programme of research and evaluation priorities; • scan the domestic and international horizons and disseminate innovative thinking and best practice on, inter alia, penal philosophy, innovative practice, organisational performance, multi-agency collaborative working, offender case management, throughcare initiatives, criminal justice reforms, etc.; • communicate relevant data analyses, performance information, evaluations and research based evidence to a range of public, academic, partner agency and parliamentary interests to influence and shape policy thinking.

Skills required • Literature and information search and review skills; • Good written and oral communication skills; • Experience of the use of social research methods.

Timing The timing of the internship can be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Jim Carnie Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 8771

Transport Scotland Division/Team: Transport Analytical Services

Internship: Analysis of Understanding Society Survey data exploring transport behaviours in socially deprived areas in Scotland.

Policy Context: You will be working for the Transport Analytical Services Unit within the Transport Scotland / Scottish Government offices in Edinburgh. The unit comprises statisticians, social researchers and economists.

In the last few years, Transport analysts have commissioned large scale work on the social and economic benefits of Community Transport and Concessionary Travel Card, responding to strong interest in such impacts from policy and the Scottish Parliament. Many of those living in the most deprived areas of Scotland have benefitted from the interventions above but the understanding of just how transport needs in such areas differ from needs in the rest of the country is still based on anecdotal evidence rather than robust data.

Having access to reliable and affordable transport links has an important role to play in improving people’s employment and educational opportunities as well as allowing them to access healthcare and maintain social links with family and friends. Understanding how the use of transport differs depending on the level of deprivation of an area and exploring the reasons for such differences should provide us with good quality contextual data that will allow to deliver more focused policy in the future.

Project details Transport Scotland has recently got access to Understanding Society data. Understanding Society is a UK-wide longitudinal survey that has a substantial Scotland sample and regularly features questions on transport and commuting behaviours in addition to modules on a wide variety of topics such as health, relationships or employment.

Your role will be to undertake a brief literature review identifying the links between living in highly deprived areas and how transport is used in such settings. You will then undertake analysis of Understanding Society data to determine the differences between most deprived areas and the rest of Scotland with regards to transport behaviours and reasons for not using different modes of transport. These findings combined with the literature review will form the basis of a report that will form the basis for future policy discussions.

Skills required Knowledge of SPSS and experience of undertaking analysis of large scale survey data is essential for this project. Experience of longitudinal data analysis is not essential but highly desirable.

Interest in the topic area of deprivation is highly desirable as it will help you to sustain motivation to complete the project for the duration of the internship. You do not need to have experience of transport research to apply. You will be working as part of a team of analysts and as such good teamwork skills are essential. You will also be writing a report for a non- technical audience so the ability to convey complex ideas in a simple language would be highly desirable.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Wojciech Hupert Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 01312440285

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Enterprise, Environment and Innovation Directorate: Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities Division/Team: Land and Tenancy Reform Unit

Internship: Community land ownership

Policy Context: In recent years the range of property owned by communities and the types of communities owning land has widened. This reflects a drive by the people of Scotland to positively influence their individual and collective well-being through developing strong, resilient and supportive communities. The latest statistics estimate that there are currently around 500,000 acres of land under community ownership in Scotland.

Community ownership can empower communities to become stronger, more resilient and more independent through the acquisition and management of their land. We are developing a policy strategy where all communities that wish to achieve greater control or ownership of their land are supported in that ambition.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of community land ownership in driving the prosperity of Scotland and in June 2013 the First Minister announced a target of 1 million acres of land in community ownership by 2020. The Scottish Government are implementing a recommendation of the Land reform Review Group to set up a short life working group to improve information on the numbers and types of community land owners and the land that they own.

Project details The Scottish Government are implementing a recommendation of the Land reform Review Group to set up a short life working group to improve information on the numbers and types of community land owners and the land that they own. This internship will build on, develop and produce analysis from a dataset created by Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) to contribute to the work of the SLWG and improve information on community ownership.

The internship will provide an opportunity to work closely with policy makers within Government as well engage with community ownership stakeholders to develop the evidence base for an increasingly important policy area.

Skills required Good quantitative skills, in particular Excel, are essential, as well as good communication and report-writing skills.

Timing We are looking for an intern who would be able to start as soon as possible.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Charlie Hogg Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 9142

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Communities Directorate: Housing, Regeneration and Welfare Division/Team: Communities Analytical Services/ Commonwealth Games, Culture and Sports Analysis

Internship: Commonwealth Games, Culture and Sports Internship

Policy Context: The Commonwealth Games, Culture and Sport Analysis Team (part of Communities Analytical Services) provides advice and analysis on physical activity, sport, culture and Commonwealth Games. The team invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their analytical knowledge and experience, both quantitative and qualitative, in this area. The team is based in Edinburgh.

Project details The exact details of the internship will depend on the skills of the applicants and key policy developments at the time. Potential projects may include: • Evidence review of interventions in the field of encouraging greater participation in sport and physical activity. • Reviewing evidence on physical education in schools, on sustaining active participation throughout the life course, or on evidence form other places on best ways to improve the active infrastructure. • Evidence review on role of culture and heritage in town centre regeneration. • Secondary analysis of Scottish Health Survey on children’s physical activity patterns.

The internship will also provide the opportunity to work with government analysts and policy makers across the Scottish Government and potentially with external partners.

Skills required • Good quantitative and qualitative skills are essential, as well as good communication and report-writing skills.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:

SG Analytical Sponsor: Niamh O’Connor Enquiries to email: niamh.o’[email protected] Telephone: 0131 247109

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Communities Directorate: Housing Regeneration and Welfare Division/Team: Communities Analytical Services, Housing and Regeneration Research Team

Internship: Housing and Welfare

Policy Context: The UK Government has implemented a programme of welfare reform which is having a major impact on the availability of resources people have for their housing costs.

The future of welfare in Scotland is currently uncertain. It is one of the major issues being explored by the Smith Commission on further devolution for Scotland. The Scottish Government has requested full devolution of welfare and the three main parties in the UK Government have suggested lesser and various levels of devolution. Housing is already devolved.

Welfare policy and practice has a major impact on people’s housing outcomes and as social researchers we have a key role in exploring this impact and informing policy decisions. As decisions are made over the next 3 months about welfare in Scotland new evidence needs will emerge, whatever the outcome.

Project details This project will centre on developing and enhancing the evidence base on welfare and housing in Scotland, exact details are to be confirmed.

Our approach to date has been to organise and deliver information on the impact of welfare reform on housing in Scotland through an evidence portal. It’s a gateway to evidence on the impact of welfare reform on the money people in Scotland have available for their housing costs. The portal is organised as answers to questions policy makers and practitioners pose around the issue. Evidence used in the portal is produced across government by statisticians, economists and social researchers, and externally by academics, practitioner organisations and other research and analysis organisations.

This method of organising evidence has identified significant gaps in our knowledge base for which we need to develop research solutions. Further as the new context for welfare in Scotland becomes clearer (the Smith Commission will make recommendations at the end of November and draft proposals will be published on 25 January) it is likely that there will be new questions to add to the portal. The intern’s project will stem from this context and full details will be discussed with interested parties towards the end of January 2015. The intern will be based in Victoria Quay working in the Communities Analytical Services Division.

Skills required Sound background knowledge of and some experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods An ability to find and evaluate sources of evidence and analyse them in context A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes including word and excel Excellent written communication skills Developing verbal communication skills

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant, the start date is unlikely to be until March 2015 or later.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Julie Guy Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 7570

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Governance and Communities Directorate: Local Government and Communities Division/Team: Local Governance & Reform Analytical Unit / Non-domestic rates analysis

Internship: Further Development of Business Rates Evidence Base

Policy Context: Non-domestic rates (business rates) income collected from business properties in Scotland amounts to over £2.5 billion per year and it is vital for the Scottish Government to have sound evidence on the tax base and other aspects of business rates (for example, key policies such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme).

Project details Details of this project have not been finalised but it is likely to include the further development of the statistical evidence available on business rates, and analysis of this evidence to inform policy development and monitoring.

Skills required Sound quantitative analytical skills, experience of using statistical software (e.g. SAS, SPSS, or Stata, etc), good Excel skills, good written and oral communication.

Timing Flexible, but likely to be around Autumn 2015

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Andrew Macartney Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 0328

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Governance and Communities Directorate: Local Government and Communities Division/Team: Local Governance and Reform Analytical Division/Research

Internship: Public Service Reform

Policy Context: Excellent public services are essential for a productive and equitable society and the Scottish Government is committed to protecting and improving public services through reform and efficiency, and in these tough times, the power of public services to enhance quality of life and improve economic opportunities has never been more important. The Scottish Government is committed to assets-based approaches and wants reform to happen in partnership with people and communities. This should be through alignment and integration of communities, public, third sector and private organisations who come together to co-produce services and facilities which are tailored to individual and community needs. This requires empowered communities and workforces and a new approach to first line and middle management and governance structures to facilitate integration, innovation and adaptation.

The Local Governance and Reform Research Team invites expressions of interest from PhD candidates with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience to support the Government’s commitment to developing a sound evidence base for public service reform to inform our policy development, interventions and financial sustainability.

Project details Building on the learning from the Christie Commission’s 2012 report (www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Review/publicservicescommission), the Scottish Government has been working on developing the evidence base to inform, support and evaluate the reform process and outcomes to support the development of policies based on theories of change. The programme of work is still under development, however the key focus for the internship will be to work collaboratively with policy and analytical colleagues (and potentially external stakeholders) to consider how evidence might help policy development in Scotland, particularly around the potential value and role of community action and in social innovation and role of the Third Sector to meet social need and tackle poverty and inequality.

There are currently two permanent members of staff in the Local Governance and Reform Research Team and twelve in the wider unit with varied skills, experience and background. You will be based within a supportive and collegiate team environment and will work closely with policy colleagues, and will also join a network of other interns across the Scottish Government.

Skills required Strong analysis skills particularly in qualitative methods and knowledge of quantitative methods would be desirable. Also essential is strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. Welcomed would be an interest / knowledge of social innovation, Public Service Reform and the role of communities and the Third Sector, alongside a genuine interest in being involved in work on tackling poverty and inequality in Scotland.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Jacqueline Rae Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 2447566

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Health Analytical Services: Care analysis: care experience survey team.

Internship: Analysis of patient experience survey data from the Scottish care Experience Survey Programme

Policy Context: The Scottish care experience survey team invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience, both qualitative and quantitative, to assist with secondary analysis of the Scottish care experience surveys. The team is part of the Edinburgh-based Scottish Government Health Analytical Services division which aims to build the evidence base for health and care in Scotland, and to provide analytical support on the delivery, evaluation and further development of policy on health and community care services. The survey team is responsible for the development, implementation and reporting of a number of national care experience surveys as part of the Scottish Care Experience Survey programme.

The programme was established in 2008 and comprises four national postal surveys: inpatient, health and care (primary and social care); maternity and radiotherapy. The surveys contain a range of questions relating to people’s experiences of accessing and using health and care services, care and treatment, and staff. The information gathered is a key component of how quality of service is assessed from the perspective of those using services, and provides the only nationally collected, comparable and statistically robust evidence source. NHS Scotland and local authorities use the information to drive local improvement based on the experiences of service users. This internship will focus on one, possibly two, projects relating to secondary analysis of data from the national care experience surveys.

1. Intra UK survey comparisons Patient surveys as well as public attitudes surveys are also carried out in other UK countries. To date we have done some limited analysis comparing Scotland results with the equivalent results from elsewhere in the UK. The focus of this placement will be to compare the Scottish care experience survey results, and possibly public attitude health care results, with equivalent UK country data and to make recommendations for ways to enhance opportunities for intra UK wide comparisons in future.

2. Other secondary data analysis of patient surveys Depending on the skills and experience of the intern, there will be opportunity to undertake another smaller project. This is flexible and likely to be one of the following:

• Assist in developing a new national cancer patient experience survey (e.g. literature review, questionnaire development, testing) • Triangulating the results of the Scottish care experience with other information about the quality of health and care services. • Assist with a project on exploring the factors which influence variations in experiences (using multilevel modeling) • Assist with a review of the health and care survey experience questionnaire

Project details The intra UK data analysis is likely to involve:

• Reviewing the results from the Scottish inpatient survey and comparing results with other UK countries.

• Comparing Scottish public attitudes survey data on perceptions of health services with data from other UK countries (e.g. British Attitudes Survey) • Reviewing existing intra UK comparisons we’ve already undertaken on our maternity and health and care experience surveys • Developing a reporting on findings with recommendations for enhancing future comparisons. • Presenting findings to policy interests in Scottish Government and other stakeholders.

Other project work will be defined once agreed.

Skills required The scope of the work is flexible and can be tailored to the particular skills of the intern. However ideally good quantitative skills, as well as sound communication and report-writing skills. Experience of Excel or quantitative software for analysis of survey data may also be useful, although training can be provided.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Andrew Paterson Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3201

More information: Scottish Care Experience Survey programme links: Inpatient Survey: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/InpatientSurvey health and care survey: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/GPPatientExperienceSurvey/Sur vey1314

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social care Directorate: Health Analytical Services Division/Team: Care analysis: patient experience survey team

Internship: Analysis of qualitative patient comments from Scottish Maternity Survey

Policy Context: The Scottish Care Experience Survey Team invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience, both qualitative and quantitative, to assist with analysis of the Scottish maternity survey qualitative comments. The team is part of the Edinburgh-based Scottish Government Health Analytical Services division which aims to build the evidence base for health and care in Scotland, and to provide analytical support on the delivery, evaluation and further development of policy on health and community care services. The survey team is responsible for the development, implementation and reporting of four national care experience surveys as part of the Scottish Care Experience Survey programme.

The first maternity survey was run in 2013 with the aim of providing local and national information on the quality of maternity care from the perspective of women using services. Results were released in early 2014. While most of the survey questions are closed, there are open text boxes for respondents to leave comments. Currently NHS Boards are provided with their comments for their area, alongside the quantitative results, which they use to identify areas for improvement. The focus of this placement is to analyse the qualitative comments from the first maternity survey.

Project details The work is likely to involve:

• Reviewing literature on patient experience • Analysing a sample of comments from the maternity survey • Identifying key themes, triangulating findings with main survey results and other published research and identifying policy implications • Developing and publishing a report of the findings • Presenting findings to policy interests in Scottish Government and other stakeholders

Skills required Good qualitative and literature review skills are essential, as well as good communication and report-writing skills. Experience of Excel or qualitative software for analysing comments may also be useful, although training can be provided.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Fiona Hodgkiss Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 5429 More information: Scottish maternity survey: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/maternitysurvey

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: Health Analytical Services Division Division/Team: Resource, Efficiency and Workforce

Internship: Analysis of the contribution of Intermediate Care to shifting in the balance of care in Scotland in the context of Health and Social Care Integration

The Resource, Efficiency and Workforce Team provides analytical support on the delivery, evaluation and further development of policy on health and care services. This includes areas such as NHS workforce, NHS resource and Intermediate Care.

The team invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and quantitative experience in the area of health and care. The team is based in Edinburgh, although there are offices in Glasgow, so it would be possible to work across both locations.

Policy Context: “Integration of health and social care is the Scottish Government's ambitious programme of reform to improve services for people who use health and social care services”.1 The aim of the programme is to improve outcomes and experience for the people who use both NHS and Local Government services. One of the many strands of this work is shifting the balance of care, where appropriate, from acute (hospital based care) to care based in the community.

Project details Intermediate Care is an 'umbrella' term describing an approach involving a collection of services working to common, shared objectives and principles. It provides a set of 'bridges' at key points of transition in a person's life, in particular from hospital to home (and from home to hospital) and from illness or injury to recovery and independence; helping them achieve their personal outcomes.” 2

Intermediate care makes a significant contribution to the balance of care in Scotland and should be an important part of strategic plans that will set the direction for health and social car at partnership level.

There has been a wide range of intermediate care programmes across Scotland, including for example the ‘Community Ward’ in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, ‘Step Up, Step Down’ in NHS Borders and ‘Enhanced Care at Home’ in NHS Tayside.

It is critical at the local level that partnerships and the Scottish Government understand the impact that these services are having on acute hospital usage, for example, has these services led to a reduction in A&E attendances and emergency inpatient admissions.

The internship would be to analyse (evaluate) the impact that these intermediate care services have had on acute based care. Work has already been undertaken to identify what areas would have collected robust data so an evaluation can be carried out. This will build on an in-depth evaluation that Health Analytical Services Division (ASD) have carried out with NHS Ayrshire and Arran on the Community Ward.

Using the patient level data for those that have been through an intermediate care programme, hospital based data will be examined prior to and after the intervention and compared where possible to a control group (a similar cohort who have not been through the

1 Integration of Health and Social Care - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Policy/Adult-Health- SocialCare-Integration 2 Maximising Recovery, Promoting Independence; An intermediate Framework for Scotland http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/07/1181 16

intervention). It is then possible to begin to attribute impact to the particular intermediate care intervention. Both activity and resource use will be examined.

There will also be an opportunity to explore the use of an intermediate care data set (non acute) that has recently been developed with a wide range of Health & Social Care Partnerships, policy and NHS ISD (Information Services Division). Health ASD have played a key role in the development of this data set. It is hoped this data will capture core activity that happens within the intermediate care setting, for example, reason for referral and type of intervention. This would complement the vast amount of acute based data that is available at patient level.

Skills required Essential • Strong quantitative and analytical skills. • Knowledge of Excel is also crucial.

Desirable • Strong communication skills are desirable as the post will involve working with NHS and LA authorities as well as Scottish Government policy colleagues. • Report writing skills – for a both professional and general audiences. • Experience of analysing data using statistical software e.g. SPSS, SAS, R.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Christine McGregor Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131-244-3394

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Health Analytical Services Division: Care Team

Internship: Behavioural change for increasing bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out of hospital cardiac arrest: Learning from the international experience

Policy Context: This is an opportunity to work on an important health topic of behaviour change to increase CPR intervention by members of the public. In applying their social research and report writing skills, the student will contribute to the Scottish Government’s knowledge and understanding to underpin potential future work. The intern will be based in the Health and Social Care Analysis Team in the Scottish Government’s Health Analytical Services Division in St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh. The Team consists of social researchers, economists and statisticians provide policy officials in, who are responsible clinical priorities, with analytical advice and support.

Cardiac arrest requires a rapid response and there is only a few minutes within which an intervention might successfully restart the heart. The number of cases where the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can attempt resuscitation would increase where bystanders respond appropriately in calling 999 quickly, delivering effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until the EMS arrive, and, when appropriate, using a public access defibrillator. Survival is much more likely when a shockable rhythm is present. The proportion of people in a shockable rhythm could be increased if more cardiac arrest victims received immediate and effective CPR from bystanders.

The number of bystanders attempting CPR in Scotland is low compared to other parts of the world. The research will be concerned with the individual, social and cultural influences that bring about behavioural change to increase the number of people prepared to attempt CPR. Denmark, for example, successfully increased bystander interventions to administer CPR from c.20% to nearly 60% over a 10 year period. The intention is to learn from practical experience of jurisdictions that may be able to be replicated in Scotland. The project will involve drawing on the research and literature on bystander CPR with regard to theories and models behavioural change. The aim is to distil relevant learning on what is successful, or not, in increasing bystander interventions for CPR relevant to Scotland to inform strategies Scotland might adopt to increase and normalise bystander action in cases of cardiac arrest.

Project details The purpose of the project is to learn from the experience of other jurisdictions (e.g. Denmark and Seattle) that have successfully increased bystander CPR and identify aspects that could be applicable to Scotland. The intern will be required to: • identify and present the international evidence on the changes to bystander CPR • assess this in light of theories and models of behavioural change and identify the key features in successful outcomes • set out considerations in applying these in Scotland • produce an accessible report which concisely sets out the main research findings and conclusions that will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Skills Required We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate they have the following essential skills at a high level:

• ability to identify and assess published literature from a range of source nationally and internationally; • ability to analyse and synthesise quantitative and qualitative research evidence; • report writing, including the ability to write for different audiences and in ‘plain English’; • oral communication skills. Timing Early 2015 with dates to be agreed between the student and SG.

Queries: Please contact Connie Smith: [email protected] or tel 0131 244 3272.

SG Analytical Sponsor: Connie Smith Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3272

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Health Analytical Services Division: Care Team

Internship: Carers in Scotland – developing a Scottish Government research agenda

Policy Context: This is an opportunity to input to a Scottish Government research agenda on unpaid adult carers and young carers. In applying their critical research skills, methods and report writing skills, the student will contribute to developing the Scottish Government’s knowledge and understanding of key aspects about carers. The intern will be based in the Care Team in the Scottish Government’s Health Analytical Services Division in St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh. The Team consists of social researchers, economists and statisticians who provide policy officials in a wide range of Health and Social Care areas, including the team responsible for carers, with analytical advice and support.

There are significant moves in policy for carers in Scotland, through strategies and proposed legislation (Carers Bill) due to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament. These are aimed at improved recognition and support to carers. The policy is informed by data and research that provides us with the most developed picture to date of the profile, numbers and position of carers. This work, and the policy developments, have revealed the gaps in data and research on carers and aspects of caring. Further robust evidence will be invaluable in informing policy development, monitoring and evaluation. This project will establish and build on the existing evidence to set out areas for further research and proposals for how this can be achieved in practice. The initial stages of the project will establish the priority subjects and research questions, in consultation with SG ASD and policy staff but some areas that could usefully be pursued are already identified. One strand is carers in Scotland and the implications of “the Scottish approach” in public services that employs an outcomes focus and asset-based approach to support for carers. Within this, young carers and young adult carers are an important theme. Research on young carers is primarily from young people in touch with support services, with the experience of more hard to reach young carers an important absence. This project could draw on comparable research to set out potential ways to research effectively these young people’s experience and requirements.

Project details Aims To critically assess the evidence base on the profile, experience and needs of young carers, young adult carers and adult carers in Scotland and produce recommendations on improving the research to help inform the Scottish Government’s priorities in this area.

Objectives: Identify and scope existing research, data and literature on the sub-groups of carers in Scotland. This will build on a report on carers being produced by SG Health ASD. Critically analyse this in terms of content, methods and design to identify key gaps and weaknesses in evidence and knowledge Produce recommendations for potential viable research and data collection to improve understanding of young carers and young adult carers and the ability to measure changes in their outcomes and monitor and evaluate the impact of key policy developments on carers. The initial stages of the project will establish the priority subject and research questions, in consultation with SG ASD and policy staff but are likely, but not only, to include; • assets based approaches including the role of personal resilience in carers and young carers and also the role of assets in local communities to help support carers and young carers • researching young carers not in touch with services and who do not identify as carers 20

• monitoring and evaluating the impact of national policies on young carers • monitoring and evaluating outcomes for carers

Skills required We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate they have the following essential skills at a high level; • literature and research review and critical analysis • applied research methods and project design, specifically on hard to reach groups • report writing, including the ability to write for different audiences and in ‘plain English’ • oral communication skills

We are looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team, is flexible and is comfortable working independently and in applying their research skills to new topics. Excellent analytical and reporting skills are more important than subject knowledge on carers. However, it would be beneficial, in terms of getting up to speed quickly, but is not required, if the applicant were familiar with the issues for carers and the health and social care policy context in Scotland. We are looking for someone who can approach the topic with an open mind and is keen to contribute to the pragmatic developing, monitoring and evaluating public policy.

Timing Early 2015 with dates to be agreed between the student and SG for three months.

Queries

SG Analytical Sponsor: Connie Smith – Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3272

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: Health Analytical Services Division Division/Team: Resource, Efficiency and Workforce

Internship: The demand for and costs of social care in Scotland

Health analytical services division (ASD) provides analytical advice and support to policy areas across the Health and Social Care Directorate. This includes areas such as NHS workforce and pay, public health, NHS efficiency and resources and the integration of health and social care. The team is made up of Economists, Statisticians and Social Researchers and are based in the centre of Edinburgh. The team invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and quantitative experience in the area of health and care

Policy Context An ageing population in Scotland will increase demand for both health and social care services. One element of the policy response to this is the integration of health and social care. “Integration of health and social care is the Scottish Government's ambitious programme of reform to improve services for people who use health and social care services”.3 Understanding the path of future demand and cost for health and social care, and what factors are likely to impact on the path of this demand, will be critical in the context of integration. The policy division leading this in the Scottish Government are Integration and Reshaping Care Division4 and are interested in developing further modelling and analysis of the costs of social care in Scotland.

Project details ASD have produced a number of estimates of the future demand for and costs of social care in Scotland based on modelling work. This was based on projected population changes and varying assumptions around healthy life expectancy (that is varying assumptions on how long people live in good health and therefore delaying demand for health and social care services). Colleagues in Integration and Reshaping Care Division would like ASD to carry out more work in refining and adapting those forecasts for example through considering how changes in technology may change the delivery (and cost) of providing services in the future. A key part of the work will be to draw out and model scenarios based on current and expected cost and demand pressures. The modelling will need to be dynamic and provide results into the medium term.

Broadly speaking, your responsibilities will be to:

• help scope out the new modelling work • propose the way forward in terms of modelling, and • carry out the modelling.

The scenarios to be modelled will be developed with policy and ASD colleagues.

Also, this work is likely to feed into work being carried out in parallel by The Strategic Projects Team, which is looking at questions around the long-term sustainability of public

3 Integration of Health and Social Care - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Policy/Adult-Health- SocialCare-Integration 4 Health and Social Care Policy Directorate http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/Directorates/HealthSocialCareIntegrat 22 finances. The Strategic Projects Team are based in a different part of the Scottish Government. You will need to work closely with analysts from both ASD but also from the Strategic Projects Team. The strategic projects Team may also be bidding for an intern during this round.

Skills required

Essential • Strong quantitative and analytical skills. • Knowledge of Excel is also crucial.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries

SG Analytical Sponsor: Christine McGregor Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3394

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Person Centred Team/ Health Analytical Services

Internship: Developing a systematic approach to using feedback and complaints about Scotland’s health and care services

Base: St. Andrews House, Edinburgh

Policy Context The Health and Social Care Directorates Person-Centred team invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience, to assist the team to develop a system that makes better use of the intelligence Scottish Ministers receive about NHS services though user feedback and concerns and to use this to inform improvement.

The Quality Unit supports the implementation of an improvement approach across Scottish Government and the wider public sector.

Scottish Ministers respond to a wide range of correspondence from the public about the NHS which include accounts of positive experiences, suggestions for improvement and concerns or complaints. Any information and intelligence arising from the correspondence is considered by different policy teams within SG depending on the nature of the issue raised. SG would like to develop a system which allows more detailed analysis of all the intelligence it receives on NHS services to enable reporting on this information across SG and back to NHS Boards, who are otherwise not always sighted on the issues raised with Ministers.

The focus of this internship will be to assist with the analysis of a sample of Ministerial correspondence and to develop a thematic framework which could inform the development of a system which themes and reports on intelligence from correspondence. The outputs from this work will inform discussions on the measurement systems and approaches used by NHS Scotland for complaints and feedback sent to NHS Boards.

Project details The work is likely to involve:

• Analysing a sample of anonymised Ministerial correspondence • Developing a systematic, thematic framework for analysing information arising from the correspondence • Assisting the team in considering options for using analytical tools for analysing information • Assisting the team in consulting SG health colleagues and NHS Boards on the best ways of providing intelligence. • Assisting the team in considering the development of practical ways of feeding this information internally to Scottish Ministers but also to NHS boards • Reporting on work with recommendations for ways forward. • Presenting findings to policy interests in Scottish Government and other stakeholders.

Skills required The scope of the work is flexible and can be tailored to the particular skills of the intern. However ideally good analytical skills, as well as sound communication and report-writing skills. Experience of Excel or qualitative software for analysis of data may also be useful, although not essential.

Timing Ideally early 2015

Queries: SG Policy Sponsor: Joanna Swanson Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 Or Fiona Hodgkiss Social Research [email protected] 0131 244 5429

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Leading Improvement Team

Internship: Understanding the Impact of Quality Improvement in the Scottish Government

Policy Context: To get the transformational change we need across our public services we must find new ways to radically improve the outcomes that matter most to the people of Scotland. And make sure they stick. We need fast reform that will reduce inequalities while creating financial sustainability. This reform must be driven by evidence based values, designed to meet local needs and provide opportunities to build upon the assets of our people and communities.

The Improvement Framework for Scotland’s Public Services outlines guiding principles to help us achieve improvement on this scale. The Improvement Framework recognises that across our public services and communities we do not lack the will to make things better or, often, the ideas needed for improvement. It outlines key principles to support us to turn this will into practical action and make change happen at a local level, at the scale and the pace we need.

Project details This 3 month project will explore the impact of the Leading Improvement Team’s work in the Scottish Government. The team's purpose is to support the implementation of the Improvement Framework across government. The team has been in operation for 2 years and has reached a stage where an external, research perspective is required to better understand its impact to date. The learning from the project will also inform the future development of the team.

The Leading Improvement Team is a small team of 7 advisors that helps people across government to problem solve, develop and manage change and apply improvement tools and techniques to undertake policy development and delivery in new and better ways. It does this by: 1) giving time and support to improvement projects across government; and 2) building capacity to enable teams and individuals to use improvement thinking in their work.

This is a great opportunity to better understand how government policy development and delivery works and to provide timely and relevant learning.

Skills required We are looking for someone with strong analytical skills and experience with interviews and qualitative analysis. It does not require previous knowledge of the Leading Improvement Team’s work or the Improvement Framework. This project will be comprised of research - interviews and analysis - with a wide range of Scottish Government officials in different roles and positions. A knowledge of Organisational Development may be helpful, but is not essential. The initial stage of the project will include an induction and shadowing opportunities, to allow you to observe and reflect on the project’s aim, plan and questions.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: If you have any questions about the project then please contact the SG Analytical Sponsor in the first instance.

SG Analytical Sponsor: Luke Cavanagh Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3016

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Health Analytical Services Division: Public Health Team

Internship: Young People and E-cigarettes: analysing data from a schools survey and reviewing the literature

Policy Context This is an opportunity to work on a high profile health topic. In applying their quantitative and report writing skills, the student will contribute to the Scottish Government’s knowledge and understanding of electronic cigarettes and to an emerging evidence base. The intern will be based in the Public Health Analysis Team in the Scottish Government’s Health Analytical Services Division in St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh. The Team consists of social researchers, economists and statisticians who support policy officials in SG Health, including Tobacco Control who are responsible for e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are a relatively new – and highly contentious - area in public policy and there is intense international debate amongst experts, health practitioners and governments about the potential benefits and risks they represent. The Scottish Government wishes to develop policies which balance the potential benefits of e-cigarettes for current smokers who could use them in attempting to quit tobacco with the protection of non-smokers from smoking-like behaviours and the use of nicotine-containing products.5 We launched The Consultation on Electronic Cigarettes and Tobacco Control in Scotland6 on 10 October 2014 which invites anyone with an interest to submit comments on a variety of tobacco control issues alongside a number of questions regarding the sale and use of e-cigarettes.

Current science tells us that e-cigarettes are safer than smoked tobacco, however, like almost any consumer product, they are not risk-free. It will be many years before we can fully understand the impacts which they may have on individual users and on public heath more widely, including the role they may have in our efforts to reduce smoking which is the single largest cause of premature deaths in Scotland.

The use of e-cigarettes by children and young people is a theme which has particularly stimulated debate and the Scottish Government has already committed to restrict sales to people aged 18 and over. The main areas people are concerned about in regard to young people are: • rates and patterns of use by young people and how these may change over time; • whether the marketing of e-cigarettes appeals to young people; • levels of knowledge and understanding amongst young people; • the potential for e-cigarettes to undermine years of work to de-normalise smoking as a behaviour; • a hypothetical ‘gateway’ effect where e-cigarette use could, theoretically, make the user more likely to progress to tobacco use.

All of these require reliable evidence and high quality analysis. However, little research has been undertaken, although there is a lot of interest from academics and funders, including government.

To help increase our knowledge and understanding, the Scottish Government commissioned a market research company (Ipsos-MORI) to include a number of questions about e-

5 This document provides a useful summary of the main issues around e-cigarettes and public health: ASH Scotland (2014) Electronic cigarettes/E-cigarettes - http://www.ashscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/supply- information-about-tobacco-and-health/briefings/ecigarettes.aspx. 6 The consultation can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/10/5471. 27 cigarettes in the Young People in Scotland Survey (YPIS) which surveys a representative sample of secondary school pupils. We will have the dataset in early 2015 and are looking for an intern to analyse the data and produce a report.

Project Details The intern will be required to: • review the published English language literature on young people and e-cigarettes from Scotland and relevant comparator countries, looking at the evidence on use, access to the products, and marketing and promotion. This will require updating a literature search undertaken by the Scottish Government library service and searches of online databases; • analyse the YPIS data collected from school pupils on their experiences of, and exposure to, e-cigarettes and their marketing; • contextualise the YPIS data by comparing it with other Scottish data and data from elsewhere identified through the literature review; • produce an accessible report which concisely summarises the main project findings and will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Most of the YPIS questions offered the pupils who were surveyed with a limited number of response options and we will also have some demographic information about respondents. The analysis will focus on frequencies and cross-tabs for a number of variables.

Skills Required We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate they have the following essential skills at a high level: • quantitative analysis, including a high degree of competence in using SPSS or SSAS, or both (either may be used); • an understanding of how to organise and carry out a literature review (which will be with the help of Scottish Government librarians); • report writing, including the ability to write for different audiences and in ‘plain English’; • oral communication skills.

We are looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team, is flexible and is comfortable working independently and in applying their research skills to new topics. Excellent analytical and reporting skills are more important than public health subject knowledge. However, it would be beneficial, in terms of getting up to speed quickly, but is not required, if the applicant were familiar with the issues being debated around electronic cigarettes and tobacco control as a public health issue. We are looking for someone who can approach the topic with an open mind and is keen to understand how evidence is used in developing, monitoring and evaluating public policy.

Timing Early 2015 with dates to be agreed between the student and SG.

Queries For queries between 24-28 November 2014 and after 3 January 2015, please contact Fiona MacDonald, who will be the internship sponsor, on [email protected] or on 0131 244 5074.

For queries between 1 and 23 December 2014, please contact Iain MacAllister on [email protected] or on 0131 244 3245.

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Health Analytical Services Division: Public Health Team

Internship: Young People and Tobacco: analysing data from the Scottish Adolescent Substance Use and Lifestyle Survey

Policy Context This is an opportunity to work on a high profile health topic. In applying their quantitative and report writing skills, the student will contribute to the Scottish Government’s knowledge and understanding of tobacco. The intern will be based in the Public Health Analysis Team in the Scottish Government’s Health Analytical Services Division in St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh. The Team consists of social researchers, economists and statisticians. They support policy officials in SG Health including Tobacco Control.

Whilst the number of people who smoke has declined since 1999, smoking remains the primary preventable cause of ill health and premature death in Scotland and smoking rates amongst adults in the most deprived communities remain disproportionately high (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/08/5277/10.). In recognition of the harm caused by smoking in Scotland, the Scottish Government is taking forward a ‘Tobacco Control Strategy – Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation’. Published on 27th March 2013, this Strategy sets out a five year plan for action across the key themes of: health inequalities; prevention; protection and; cessation.

A focus on young people is at the heart of the Strategy. It recognises that a key factor in achieving targets to reducing overall smoking prevalence will be to maintain the downward trend in smoking among young people. There is a well-established body of evidence which shows that most smokers start in their teens and smokers who start young are more likely to find it hard to quit, to smoke more heavily and to experience greater health consequences as a result of smoking. Another of the Strategy’s priorities is to reduce children's exposure to second-hand smoke in enclosed spaces, particularly in the home and in cars. We have set an ambitious target to reduce to 6% the proportion of children exposed to second–hand smoke in the home by 2020. Building on the Tobacco Control Strategy, the Scottish Government published A Consultation on Electronic Cigarettes and Strengthening Tobacco Control in Scotland in October 2014 which continues our commitment to reduce the harms caused by smoking. Further information on smoking related policy in Scotland is available on the NHS Health Scotland Tobacco web pages.

To help increase our knowledge and understanding of young people’s substance use behaviour, the Scottish Government run a national series of biennial surveys of smoking, drinking and drug use among secondary school children, which began in 1982. Smoking data is available from 1982, alcohol data from 1990 and information on drug use from 1998. Since 2002 these surveys have been called Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS).

SALSUS provides the most authoritative data on trends in substance use and lifestyle issues among Scotland’s young people but has been a largely under used resource to date with limited analysis of time series data beyond basic prevalence measures. SALSUS alternates between a smaller sample which reports at a national level and (as with the 2013 survey) a larger sample which provides health board, Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and local authority, as well as national data. In 2013, its sample was over 30,000 thirteen and fifteen year olds from schools across the whole of Scotland.

SALSUS asks young people a range of questions about smoking and about their exposure to second-hand smoke. It is therefore an essential tool for monitoring progress against our ambitious tobacco control targets and in helping us to understand changing patterns of behaviour which can shape on-going policy development. 29

We are looking for an intern to analyse SALSUS data and produce a report on changes over time in smoking prevalence, where young people obtain cigarettes, attitudes to, and knowledge about, smoking, family and peer attitudes to smoking, the changing profile of young smokers and smoking behaviours.

Project Details The intern will be required to: • analyse the SALSUS data collected from school pupils over a number of sweeps; • review published reports and papers which are based on analysis of the SALSUS smoking data; • contextualise the SALSUS data by comparing it with other published Scottish data and data from elsewhere in the UK, primarily the ‘Smoking among Secondary Schoolchildren’ series in England; • produce an accessible report which concisely summarises the main project findings and will be published on the Scottish Government website.

The analysis will focus on frequencies, cross-tabs and regression for a number of variables.

Skills Required We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate they have the following essential skills at a high level: • quantitative analysis, including a high degree of competence in using SPSS or SAS, or both (either may be used); • an understanding of how to organise and carry out a focussed literature review (which will be with the help of Scottish Government librarians); • report writing, including the ability to write for different audiences and in ‘plain English’; • oral communication skills.

We are looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team, is flexible and is comfortable working independently and in applying their research skills to new topics. Excellent analytical and reporting skills are more important than public health subject knowledge. However, it would be beneficial, in terms of getting up to speed quickly, but is not required, if the applicant were familiar with the tobacco control as a public health issue. We are looking for someone who can approach the topic with an open mind and is keen to understand how evidence is used in developing, monitoring and evaluating public policy.

Timing Summer|Autumn 2015, although dates are flexible and can be agreed between the student and SG.

Queries For queries, please contact Emma McCallum, who will be the internship sponsor, on [email protected] or on 0131 244 2813.

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social Care Directorate: The Quality Unit Division/Team: Health Analytical Services Division: Public Health Team

Internship: Young People in Scotland analysing data from the Scottish Adolescent Substance Use and Lifestyle Survey

Policy Context This is an opportunity to work on a high profile topic. In applying their quantitative and reporting skills, the student will contribute to the Scottish Government’s knowledge and understanding of young people in Scotland. The intern will be based in the Public Health Analysis Team in the Scottish Government’s Health Analytical Services Division in St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh. The Team consists of social researchers, economists and statisticians. They support policy officials in SG Health.

SHANARRI wellbeing framework Indicators have been developed to monitor young people and children's wellbeing at various stages of their lives:

Detailed explanation of SHANARRI indicators SHANARRI Explanation indicators Safe Protected from abuse, neglect or harm Healthy High standards of physical and mental health; support to make healthy, safe choices Achieving Support and guidance in learning - boosting skills, confidence & self- esteem Nurtured Having a nurturing and stimulating place to live and grow Active Opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities Respected Given a voice, and involved in the decisions that affect their well being Responsible Taking an active role within their schools and communities Included Getting help and guidance to overcome inequalities; full members of the communities in which they live and learn

Professionals and practitioners use the eight indicators to assess a child or young person's overall wellbeing and identify any concerns. The indicators offer a consistent approach and language that can be used across organisational and geographical boundaries. Due to the requirements of the Children and Families Act (2013) to annually report on children and young people’s outcomes through the SHANARRI wellbeing framework, it has now become important that data sources provide this information.

Dataset To help increase our knowledge and understanding of young people’s lifestyle and substance use behaviour, the Scottish Government run a national series of biennial surveys among secondary school children, which began in 1982. Since 2002 these surveys have been called Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS). SALSUS provides the most authoritative data on trends in substance use and lifestyle issues among Scotland’s young people but has been a largely under used resource to date with limited analysis of time series data beyond basic prevalence measures. SALSUS alternates between a smaller sample which reports at a national level and (as with the 2013 survey) a larger sample which provides health board, Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and local authority, as well as national data. In 2013, its sample was over 30,000 thirteen and fifteen year olds from schools across the whole of Scotland, 30% of eligible pupils. SALSUS contains a number of variables which could be used to provide information on the SHANARRI indicators.

SALSUS variables and SHANARRI indicators

Project We are looking for an intern to analyse SALSUS data to provide information generally on young people in Scotland and also, more specifically, on SHANARRI indicators. In addition, it would be useful to have these explored with reference to changes over time and local variation. Suggested outcomes from this work include: 1. Visually appealing PowerPoint presentation packs showing SHANARRI indicators for Scotland and for each local area showing their own SALSUS SHANARRI variables and a comparison to Scotland figures 2. An outline infographic which could be tailored to each local authorities. Ideally, these outputs would contain the headline figures for the SHANARRI variables and also show change over time.

Project Details The intern will be required to: • analyse the SALSUS data collected from school pupils over a number of sweeps; • produce an accessible report which concisely summarises the main project findings and will be published on the Scottish Government website; • produce an accessible set of PowerPoint slide packs and infographics which concisely summarise the main project findings.

The analysis will focus on frequencies, cross-tabs and regression for a number of variables. 32

Skills Required We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate they have the following essential skills at a high level: • quantitative analysis, including a high degree of competence in using SPSS or SAS, or both (either may be used); • report writing, including the ability to write for different audiences and in ‘plain English’; • oral communication skills.

We are looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team, is flexible and is comfortable working independently and in applying their research skills to new topics. Excellent analytical and reporting skills are more important than public health subject knowledge. It would be beneficial, in terms of getting up to speed quickly, if they are familiar with infographic methods of presentation and have some design background. We are looking for someone who can approach the topic with an open mind and is keen to understand how evidence is used in developing, monitoring and evaluating public policy.

Timing August – October 2015, although dates are flexible and can be agreed between the student and SG.

Queries For queries, please contact Emma McCallum, who will be the internship sponsor, on [email protected] or on 0131 244 2813

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning & Justice Directorate: Learning Division/Team: Education Analytical Services/ Children and Families Analysis

Internship: Overview of methods and key messages from longitudinal studies of children and young people

Policy Context This work is to support the strategic development of the Scottish Government funded Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) Study. This is a large-scale longitudinal study that is currently tracking two cohorts of children from birth: one born in 2004/05 and another in 2010/11. Our ambition is for the study to be a unique, robust, high quality, relevant and valued evidence source demonstrating how childhood experiences link to later life outcomes. It should also be creative its research design, engagement and dissemination and aim for continuous improvement. To help us to identify how the study might evolve, we need to learn from innovations and methods in other similar studies.

To ensure that the study makes a unique contribution to the evidence base on what drives outcomes for children it is also important that the study builds on, rather than simply replicates, analysis that has been done in other studies. We can also maximise the impact of the evidence we generate from GUS if we can present it alongside relevant findings from other studies and build the evidence base in an iterative and incremental way. As well as learning from the methods used in other longitudinal studies of children and young people, we would therefore like to identify key messages and evidence gaps to help us to plan for future analysis and reporting.

Project details The review would focus on longitudinal studies of children that follow the children beyond the pre-school years. These would include: Growing Up in Ireland; Growing Up in Australia; Millennium Cohort Study; Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime: Growing Up in New Zealand; the Dunedin Study; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; Canadian National Longitudinal Study of Children and Youth; British Cohort Study; Fragile Families: National Children Study in the USA; Born in Bradford; and Birth to Twenty (South Africa).

We already have an overview of the instruments that have been used in these studies to measure various aspects of child development. We would want to up-date this to take account of recent changes but would also want to explore methods used and effectiveness in the following areas: reducing cohort attrition; disseminating findings; promoting wider use of the data among the research community; keeping contact details up to date; use of social media and technology to collect data and to engage with cohort families; linkage to administrative data sets; and ensuring participation in the study is enjoyable and engaging for children and young people.

The review would be desk-based and involve, in the first instance, a review of information available on-line. Where appropriate, this would be followed up with direct contact with study co-ordinators either through e-mail or by phone.

With regard to the review of key messages from other longitudinal studies, this would involve a straightforward literature review of publications. Support in accessing these would be available from Scottish Government library services.

The key output from the work would be two written reports: one on methods and another on key messages. An oral presentation on the key messages from other studies might also be required, for a small audience of Scottish Government analysts and policy-makers.

Skills required 34

Literature searching and review; Writing reports for an analytical audience; Time and project management skills; and Communication and interpersonal skills. Some knowledge of longitudinal research would be an advantage

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant but the ideally we would want the work to begin before April 2015.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Liz Levy, Growing Up in Scotland Project Manager Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 2652

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and Justice Directorate: Education Analytical Services Division/Team: Employability, Skills and Lifelong Learning Analysis

Internship: Higher Education Research and Analysis

Policy Context: The Employability, Skills and Lifelong Learning Team (part of Education Analytical Services) invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their analytical knowledge and experience, both quantitative and qualitative, in the field of higher education. The team’s role is to provide integrated analytical support on the delivery, evaluation and further development of policy on lifelong learning. The team is based in Glasgow.

Project details The topic area will appeal to students with an interest in higher education and strong quantitative skills. The precise scope of the project is still to be confirmed, however, it will involve working with Scottish Government analysts and policy makers. Possible research topics include: • exploring existing research and data on access to higher education • identifying patterns in attainment, applications and acceptances to higher education

Skills required Good quantitative and qualitative skills are essential, as well as good communication and report-writing skills. Experience of excel, SAS, SPSS or other similar statistical software is also desired.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:

SG Analytical Sponsor: Ryan Scott Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0300 244 7455/ 0141 278 4455

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and Justice Directorate: Education Analytical Services Division/Team: Employability, Skills and Lifelong Learning Analysis

Internship: Labour Market Research and Analysis

Policy Context: The Employability, Skills and Lifelong Learning Team (part of Education Analytical Services) invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their analytical knowledge and experience, both quantitative and qualitative, in the field of applied labour market research. The team’s role is to provide integrated analytical support on the delivery, evaluation and further development of policy on employability and skills. The team is based in Glasgow.

Project details The topic area will appeal to students with an interest in the labour market and strong quantitative skills. The precise scope of the project is still to be confirmed, however, it will involve working with Scottish Government analysts and policy makers to answer specific research questions around

Possible research topics include: • exploring existing research and data on the quality of individual’s employment • workplace characteristics and investment in employee’s skills • analysis of the Young People in Scotland survey

Skills required Good quantitative and qualitative skills are essential, as well as good communication and report-writing skills. Experience of excel, SPSS or other similar statistical software is also desired.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Stuart King Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0300 244 6786

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning & Justice Directorate: Safer Communities Division/Team: Justice Analytical Services/Justice Analytical Unit

Internship: Analyses on Reoffending in Scotland

Policy Context: By reducing criminal reoffending, we reduce the emotional, social, and economic impact of crime on our communities. To fully understand reoffending, we need to continue to identify the risk factors that that may influence reoffending, and whether different risk factors lead to different patterns and types of reoffending. More specific knowledge of the risk factors of reoffending ensures that policies to reduce reoffending are targeted more precisely.

Project details The intern would be working on data within Justice Analytical Services in the Scottish Government. Specifically, the intern would carry out analyses on the Scottish Offenders Index that contains the conviction records of all offenders in Scotland since 1989. These analyses would broadly examine how the frequency, volume, and type of reoffending changes through time for offenders; and whether reoffending varies with different factors, such as number of previous convictions, the types of crime that were committed, and age of offender. In particular, the project could: • Determine offending desistance curves based on different risk factors. • Examine whether reoffenders specialise on a particular type of crime. • Examine whether the severity of crime escalates with each further offence. • Explore if different sentencing affects reoffending.

There is scope for the intern to develop and pursue further analyses on the same theme, if they wish.

The intern would be working with a statistician, and the results of this work will be presented in papers and verbal presentations.

Skills required Essential: • Good numerical skills. • Some experience of quantitative statistical analyses. • Ability to present data in graphs and tables. • Experience of using spread sheets.

Desirable: • Experience of using statistical computer programming languages, such as R or SAS. • Good written and verbal communication skills.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Andrew Morgan Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 2595

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and Justice Directorate: Safer Communities Division/Team: Justice Analytical Services

Internship: Community safety and violence in Scotland

Policy Context: Justice Analytical Services (JAS) has responsibility for providing research and analysis on a wide range of policy areas in the Justice and Safer Communities Directorates including crime and policing, drugs, fire, resilience, civil and criminal justice, court proceedings, prisons, community justice, and offender rehabilitation.

Within our portfolio of work on community safety topics, JAS is currently developing the evidence base on the topic of violence in Scotland, its nature and prevalence, causes, associations, and the range of interventions that may be used to tackle it.

Project details The intern would work in the Safer Communities Analytical Unit within JAS. The exact nature of the project will depend on the skills of the applicant but the tasks will include summarising existing data and research, secondary analysis of government held data – including administrative and cross sectional surveys, research design, report writing, and oral/written briefing for policy teams.

Skills required Good quantitative and qualitative research skills are essential, as well as good oral communication and report-writing skills. It would be helpful, though not essential, to have background knowledge of criminal justice, violence, or public health policy areas.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:

SG Analytical Sponsor: Katherine Myant Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 4085

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and Justice Directorate: Safer Communities Division/Team: Justice Analytical Services, Justice Analytical Unit

Internship: Evidence review of barriers to compliance with offender management

Policy Context: One of the priorities within the Justice Analytical Unit’s (JAS) Analytical Programme 2014- 157 is to improve the evaluation of offender interventions, to inform and improve practice and policy.

These interventions include a wide range of current community justice policy developments including community payback orders, programmes to address domestic abuse, mentoring of ex-prisoners, women’s community justice services, and the use of electronic monitoring. Justice Analytical Services (JAS) is closely involved in the development and evaluation of all these interventions.

Evaluations of such interventions have consistently reported a gap in knowledge concerning reasons for non-compliance, partly due to problems in recruiting so-called ‘hard to reach’ offenders in evaluations. Wider evidence does exist, however, in the field of desistence research and offender management which could provide some insight into these barriers and the most effective means of overcoming them.

Project details The successful candidate will work within the Justice Analytical Unit, and specifically within a small team of analysts (3) whose work focuses on offender management and reducing reoffending.

The main aim of the project will be to conduct a rapid evidence review that maps out the main barriers to compliance with offender interventions (including community sentences). This should focus on Scottish evidence wherever possible, and/or consider the implications of the wider evidence base within a Scottish context. The work should consider reasons for non-engagement, and the most effective ways to foster compliance, particularly with ‘hard to reach’ groups of offenders.

The output will be a written report, to be published on the Scottish Government website and with due acknowledgement to the author. The candidate will also be required to present their work to internal stakeholders (other analysts and policy staff).

Skills required Sound research and written communication skills are essential and the ability to take an objective, robust and analytical approach to assessing the evidence is paramount. Experience of interpreting and summarising quantitative and qualitative findings will be essential, including proficiency in assessing the quality of different types of evidence. The ability to work independently within a fixed timeframe is essential. Knowledge of the criminal justice system would also be desirable.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Tamsyn Wilson Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 842 (Wed/Thurs/Fri)

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and Justice Directorate: Safer Communities Division/Team: Justice Analytical Services

Internship: Sectarianism and prejudice reduction in Scotland

Policy Context:

Justice Analytical Services (JAS) has responsibility for providing research and analysis on a wide range of policy areas in the Justice and Safer Communities Directorates including crime and policing, drugs, sectarianism, fire, resilience, civil and criminal justice, court proceedings, prisons, community justice, and offender rehabilitation.

JAS is currently developing the evidence base on the topic of sectarianism, prejudice and hate crime in Scotland. This is to help Safer Communities directorate of the Scottish Government and the Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland (see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/02/1635), understand the nature of the problem, its causes and effects, and how it may be tackled.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:

SG Analytical Sponsor: Ben Cavanagh Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 1602

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy & External Affairs Directorate: Strategy and Constitution Division/Team: DSAC : Office of the Chief Researcher

Internship: Analysis of Understanding Society longitudinal survey data for Scotland

Policy Context: Understanding Society is a major UK longitudinal household panel study which began in 2009, but builds on 18 years of the British Household Panel Survey. It has a Scottish sample of 4,000 households and has the potential to be a rich longitudinal data resource offering considerable possibilities for exploring equality, poverty and social mobility issues and for analysis informing policy areas across the SG, including health, education, housing, transport, physical activity and environment.

The Scottish Government is a co-funder of the survey and has arrangements in place with the Understanding Society team whereby they help to facilitate and support our analysis of the data. We are inviting expressions of interest from students with strong quantitative analysis skills, preferably with experience of conducting longitudinal analysis, to work alongside Scottish Government analysts to conduct analysis of the Understanding Society data and help to build our capacity in maximising our use of this important data resource.

Project details The intern would be based in the Office of the Chief Researcher but working with analysts supporting policy areas across the Scottish Government and supported principally by a social researcher in Communities Analytical Services who will be co-ordinating the programme of work. The specific policy topics that the intern would be exploring using the Understanding Society data are not yet confirmed, but the analysis is likely to include a focus on inequalities, and potentially analysis of the survey’s data on any of the following topics - poverty, health, housing, political engagement, physical activity, and attitudes and behaviours relating to the environment and climate change (please see separate ad for transport analysis internship using Understanding Society).

Data will be available for the years 2009-2012 and it would be particularly beneficial if the intern had the capacity to undertake longitudinal analysis. Outputs would be likely to include brief reports presenting Understanding Society data in an accessible, appealing format with succinct accompanying text highlighting key findings, caveats and areas for further exploration.

Skills required • Essential - Strong quantitative analysis skills, preferably using SAS or Stata. (SPSS skills only would not be a barrier to the internship, but may limit the nature of some of the longitudinal analysis undertaken) • Essential – good communication, data presentation and report-writing skills • Desirable – experience of undertaking longitudinal analysis.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: Gillian Cruickshank SG Analytical Sponsor: Rod Harrison Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 1575

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: STRATEGY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Directorate: Strategy and Constitution Division/Team: Office of the Chief Statistician and Performance/Corporate Analytical Services

Internship: Scottish Government Engagement Research

Corporate Analysis Team: Through high quality evidence and analysis, the Corporate Analytical Services team help the Scottish Government (SG) create a workplace where colleagues have optimal wellbeing while delivering our organisational purpose. We would welcome expressions of interest from students who wish to apply their management, research and social science knowledge in organisational development.

Project details The Corporate Analytical Services team provide senior leaders with detailed staffing information. This is delivered in the form of a pack of Human Resources Management Information, covering 6 distinct topics including staffing headcounts, sickness absences and flexi-leave balances.

In order to ensure that this information remains relevant, on-topic and appropriate to the user’s needs the intern will undertake a qualitative research and evaluation exercise with some of our key stakeholders that will inform the short and long-term plans for further development of the information pack, whilst documenting and presenting our end-user requirements. The research will be used to develop improvements to the existing pack and to tailor packs for new customers.

This project will allow for development of analysis, communication and critical thinking skills through consultation with a range of managers, senior leaders and HR professionals.

The post will be located between St Andrews House in Edinburgh city centre and Saughton House, to the west of Edinburgh.

Student specification/ Skills required Professional Expertise • Designing and conducting qualitative research. • Analysis and presentation of evidence, both in a written report and in a presentation to colleagues in the Corporate Analytical Services team. Delivery Focus • Understanding – to be able to develop a deep understanding of the evidence needs and the bigger picture of our stakeholders • Challenge – the skills to provide evidence which is thought provoking and asks constructive questions Communicating with Impact • Report writing –ability to write accessible reports for different audiences including colleagues. • Communication skills – to be able to present analysis to internal stakeholders.

Timing of Internship The ideal starting time for this work would be March 2015 onwards, but we can be fairly flexible to ensure we get the right person for the placement.

Queries Mike Silver, Senior HR Analyst for Corporate Analytical Services will be the SG Analytical Sponsor. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3939

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: STRATEGY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Directorate: Strategy and Constitution Division/Team: Office of the Chief Statistician and Performance/Corporate Analytical Services

Internship: Scottish Government Evaluation of the People Strategy

Corporate Analysis Team: Through high quality evidence and analysis, the Corporate Analytical Services team help the Scottish Government (SG) create a workplace where colleagues have optimal wellbeing while delivering our organisational purpose. We would welcome expressions of interest from students who wish to apply their research and social science knowledge in organisational development.

Project brief The People Strategy sets out a clear vision for people management and development within the Scottish Government. An annual evaluation of the People Strategy is undertaken by the Corporate Analytical Services team to review progress to date and define the priorities for the year ahead. In 2014, the priorities were:

• Improving the quality and consistency of our Leadership and Management; • Applying attention to individual Wellbeing and Resilience at a team and organisation level; • Implementing a robust approach to understanding our Capability and capacity to deliver a high performing workforce now and for the future.

The evaluation draws upon both quantitative data such as the Civil Service People Survey results for the SG, and qualitative research with colleagues and people in comparator organisations. This placement offers the opportunity be part of a new approach to the evaluation which delivers research in partnership with practitioners and stakeholders across the SG. This innovative methodology will use research as a foundation for wider engagement in the organisation and for uncovering insights and understanding from a wide range of perspectives.

The post will be located in Edinburgh.

Skills required

Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, ideally including experience undertaking research with practitioners. Experience of identifying evidence which is thought provoking and asks constructive questions An ability to communicate analysis in an engaging way to a variety of audiences

Timing of Internship The ideal starting time for this work would be March 2015.

Queries Helen Fogarty, Corporate Analytical Services will be the SG Analytical Sponsor. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3789

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy and External Affairs Directorate: Strategy and Constitution Division/Team: Corporate Analytical Services

Internship: Statistical analysis of drivers for sickness absence within the Scottish Government

Context: Through high quality evidence and analysis, the Corporate Analytical Services team help the Scottish Government (SG) create a workplace where colleagues have optimal wellbeing while delivering our organisational purpose. We would welcome expressions of interest from students who wish to apply their management, statistics and social science knowledge in organisational development.

Project brief The placement offers the opportunity to be part of a team undertaking statistical analysis of drivers for sickness absence within the Scottish Government. This analysis will form the basis of detailed briefings for senior leaders and should provide insight into the factors associated with sickness absence and highlight potential areas for action and support. The analysis will also inform the core analytical section of an official statistics publication on Scottish Government HR statistics.

The placement will also involve designing and testing innovative data visualisations to increase the accessibility and impact of the absence analysis, as well as other existing analytical reports. There will also be the opportunity to share data visualisation skills and learning with the team through informal training sessions.

Skills Required

• Strong quantitative analytical skills, ideally including experience or understanding of logistic regression. • Provide evidence which is challenging and which draws out novel or unexpected observations from the data. • Experience of producing engaging and meaning rich data visualisations. • An ability to communicate statistical analysis in a meaningful, concise fashion to non- statisticians

Project Timing

The placement begins in March 2015. The statistical analysis of sickness absence will be undertaken during the first half of the project, while data visualisation will be undertaken during the second half. Our team is based in two locations in Edinburgh.

SG Analytical Sponsor: Andrew Bell Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 3819

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy and External Affairs Directorate: Strategy and Constitution Division/Team: Strategy Unit/Strategic Projects Team

Internship: Strategic Projects Team

Policy Context The Strategic Projects Team undertakes detailed analysis of medium term cross-cutting social and economic policy issues for Scotland and produces robust policy advice, working closely with analytical and policy colleagues across Scottish Government.

The team is based in the Strategy Unit, which lies at the heart of the work of the Scottish Government. The Unit advises Ministers, the Permanent Secretary, Executive Team and Strategic Board on a range of cross cutting issues.

In response to questions around the long-term sustainability of public finances the team will be working on the following project over the next six months: • Identification and assessment of policy options for medium term funding models for a range of social policy areas in Scotland.

Project details Work is currently in train to assess a range of funding models for a number of social policy areas, including their basic design, operating principles and particular policy applications. The intern would undertake a more detailed exploration of the most promising models/approaches, with a key focus on outcomes and sustainability. This will involve an assessment of applicability to Scottish funding circumstances and Scottish policy approach. It will involve working with colleagues across Scottish Government and is also likely to involve engagement with think tanks and academics to test emerging findings.

The project presents an opportunity to be involved in strategic work and to influence future policy development in a highly challenging and sensitive area.

The intern would be joining the Strategic Projects Team - a multi-disciplinary policy/analytical team of 6 people, including policy advisers, a statistician, an economist and a social researcher. The team is based in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.

Skills required • Social research skills. • Ability to operate across traditional analytical boundaries and disciplines • Ability to engage with a wide range of colleagues, within and outside Scottish Government. • Understanding that project work will be sensitive and will require careful handling.

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Nuala Gormley – line management by Jackie Wilkins, Head of Strategic Projects Team Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 0131 244 4362

DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy and External Affairs Directorate: Strategy and Constitution Division/Team: Strategy Unit, Strategic Research

Internship: Strategic projects

Policy Context: This internship offers an opportunity to be based within the strategic centre of the Scottish Government. The Strategic Research Team provides evidence, analysis and advice on priority Scottish Government work on strategy and governance. The Team works both on long term programmes of research and emerging priorities. We often need to turn around pieces of work within a short time scale, and produce outputs for senior individuals and groups within the Scottish Government.

Project details The exact nature and subject of the work is yet to be decided, but it is likely that it will involve desk based research, including the analysis of existing research evidence/data and information gathering, as well as the communication of analytical findings for a policy audience. It could also involve organising and facilitating workshops.

There are currently six permanent members of staff, with varied skills and experience, in the Strategic Research Team. You will be based within a supportive and collegiate team environment, and will also join a network of other interns across the Scottish Government.

Skills required The Strategic Research Team invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience to contribute to the work of the Team. We welcome applications from students in any social science discipline.

Required skills: • Literature and information search and review skills are essential • Good written and oral communication skills are essential • Experience of the use of social research methods is particularly desirable

Timing The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Nuala Gormley Enquiries to email: [email protected] Telephone: 07867375248