Project summary
An important and enduring research focus has been the participation of service users and carers, both in service planning and provision and in professional education. Most recently this has involved work with Jane Boylan (Keele University) on child advocacy as a means of promoting effective participation, and work with Michael Preston-Shoot (University of Bedfordshire) to develop methodology in relation to service user and carer participation in systematic reviews. This builds on a longstanding critical engagement with the notion of legal and policy mandates for participation. A number of conference presentations have taken place in partnership with service users and carers.

Books

• Braye, S. and Preston-Shoot, M. (1995) Empowering Practice in Social Care. Buckingham: Open University Press
• Braye, S. and Preston-Shoot (1997) Practicing Social Work Law, 2nd Edition. London : Macmillan

Refereed journal articles

• Boylan, J. and Braye, S. (2006) 'Paid, professionalised and proceduralised: can legal and policy frameworks for child advocacy give voice to children and young people?', Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 28, 3-4, 233-249
• Braye, S. and Preston-Shoot, M. (2005) 'Emerging from out of the shadows? Service user and carer involvement in systematic reviews', Evidence and Policy, 1(2), 173-193
• Braye, S. (2000) 'Participation and involvement in social care: an overview', in H. Kemshall and R. Littlechild (eds) User Involvement and Participation in Social Care: Research Informing Practice , London : Jessica Kingsley
• Braye, S. and Preston-Shoot, M. (1993) 'Partnership: responding to the challenge, realising the potential', Social Work Education, 12(2), 35-53
• Braye, S. and Preston-Shoot, M. (1993) 'Empowerment and partnership in mental health: towards a different relationship', Journal of Social Work Practice, 7(2), 115-128
• Braye, S. and Preston-Shoot, M. (1992) 'Honourable intentions: partnership and written agreements in welfare law', Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 6, 511-528

Conferences

• 'Is there a role for child advocacy in the marketisation of child welfare services?' Biennal conference of the European Association of Schools of Social Work, Parma, March 2007
• 'Perspectives on social work education - the contribution of experts by experience'. National Organisation of Practice Teachers, Manchester, September 2006. Invited plenary keynote
• 'Child advocacy and the promotion of children and young people's participatory rights'. International Association of Schools of Social Work Global Social Work Congress, Santiago, Chile, August 2006 (not delivered personally)
• 'How far has social work progressed in promoting children and young people's participation in decision-making?' International Federation of Social Workers World Conference of Social Work 'A World Out of Balance: Working for a new social equilibrium', Munich, Germany, August 2006
• 'Moving On With Learning: Community Participation in Action'. National Institute for People with Disabilities, International Social Work Conference, New York, May 2005
• 'Service user participation in social work education'. Faculty Development Seminar, Monmouth University, New Jersey, US, February 2005
• 'Moving On With Learning'. General Social Care Council/Social Care Institute for Excellence Conference 'Learning and Living Together', Birmingham, November 2003

Date: 2007 - 2008
Funding organisation: Brighton and Sussex Community Knowledge Exchange
Researcher: Liz McDonnell (Centre for Continuing Education), Suzy Braye (Social Work & Social Care), Jo Bridgeman (Sussex Law School), Heather Keating (Sussex Law School)

New research report:
Read about the Talking Dads Project, an exploration of the views and experiences of young fathers in Brighton & Hove. A copy for downloading will be posted here soon.

Project summary
The Talking dads project aims to build a realistic picture of young fatherhood, through exploration of the experiences and views of young fathers. The research involves young fathers themselves taking the lead in deciding what issues should be included in the research and then interviewing each other, following training in research skills. This is an innovative approach in which young fathers set the research agenda and carry it through. We hope that this approach will mean the findings are more relevant to young dads, policy makers and health and social services professionals working with fathers.