Research notes

Browse some of the latest studies on the social impacts of (and responses to) COVID-19

The International Public Policy Observatory holds weekly ‘newsroom’ meetings at which all of our UK and global partner organisations can highlight notable new research relating to the social impacts of, and policy responses to, COVID-19. A selection of these ‘research notes’ can be browsed below.

And if you are an academic working on COVID-related social sciences research that spans any of our broad topic areas (education, mental health, Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, vulnerable communities, housing, care and online life), we’re equally keen to hear about your work. Simply fill in this form and we will be in touch soon.

  1. Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2020: Wave 1 follow-up to 2017 survey

    Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2020: Wave 1 follow-up to 2017 survey

    NHS Digital: Part of Mental Health of Children and Young People Surveys (22.10.20) This is the first in a series of follow-up reports to the Mental Health and Young People Survey 2017, exploring the mental health of children and young people in July 2020, during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and changes since 2017. Experiences of family life, education and services, and worries and anxieties during the COVID-19 pandemic are also examined. The sample for this ‘wave 1’ follow-up was based on 3,570 children and young people who took part in the MHCYP 2017 survey,…

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  2. National Audit Office: Investigation into the housing of rough sleepers during the COVID-19 pandemic

    National Audit Office: Investigation into the housing of rough sleepers during the COVID-19 pandemic

    National Audit Office for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (14.01.21) This investigation is part of a programme of work we are undertaking to support Parliament’s scrutiny of the government’s response to COVID-19. In this report, we set out the steps taken by the Department in rehousing rough sleepers in England during the pandemic, focusing particularly on the steps taken at the outset of the pandemic; the information held by the Department on those at risk of rough sleeping; and subsequent steps that the Department has taken to provide long-term…

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  3. The impact of COVID-19 on people facing homelessness and service provision across Great Britain

    The impact of COVID-19 on people facing homelessness and service provision across Great Britain

    Boobis and Albanese, Crisis (19.11.20) The homelessness response to COVID-19 has seen extraordinary action taken across Great Britain to get everyone into safe accommodation during the pandemic. At the same time, the economic impact of coronavirus is exerting sudden pressure on people already pushed to the brink by low wages and high rents.  Based on survey responses with voluntary sector organisations and in-depth interviews with local authorities across Great Britain, this research tracks the response of services and the changing support needs of people facing homelessness between March and September 2020.

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  4. Expert Reference Group on COVID-19 and Ethnicity: Recommendations to Scottish Government

    Expert Reference Group on COVID-19 and Ethnicity: Recommendations to Scottish Government

    Systemic Issues and Risk: Initial Advice and Recommendations (18.09.20) The Expert Reference Group (ERG) was established by Scottish Government ‘to ensure that we have an accurate understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on minority ethnic and migrant communities in Scotland, and that our policy responses reflect this. There is a need to work on improving existing systems and processes, and analysing what we know, while at the same time looking more fundamentally at how the system itself needs to change.’ This ERG subgroup was specifically asked to consider the following:

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