What's new?
Find out what's happening in SPRU with information about our latest news and events, new research projects and latest research findings.
Contact us
Social Policy Research Unit
spru@york.ac.uk
+44 (0)1904 321231
Church Lane Building,
University of York,
Heslington,
York,
YO10 5ZF,
United Kingdom.
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Latest news
Unique partnership involving residents, councils and universities join forces to tackle social care issues
Posted on Monday 13 June 2022
The University of York is leading a unique partnership that will bring together residents, local authorities and leading researchers to tackle some of the big issues around social care.
Two-child limit to benefits is only serving to increase poverty further, new report finds
Posted on Friday 8 April 2022
The two-child limit on social security benefits in the UK has only led to a small decline in fertility rates and pushed low-income households into poverty, according to a new report.
New research finds families on low-incomes face constant struggle to get by
Posted on Tuesday 22 March 2022
Going without food and heating has become a routine part of daily life for families on low incomes, according to the latest findings from the Covid Realities project.
New research suggests newly bereaved parents need extended time with their children
Posted on Wednesday 26 January 2022
New research has found that allowing newly bereaved parents to have extended time with their baby or child is highly valued and has lasting impacts.
Researchers call for urgent change to help low-income families facing cost of living crisis
Posted on Monday 24 January 2022
A new report recommends urgent reforms to the UK’s social security system to protect low-income families from extreme hardship.
Assistance dogs significantly improve the lives of people living with hearing loss
Posted on Monday 24 January 2022
New research shows that assistance dogs trained to support deaf people, and those living with hearing loss, have positive and wide-ranging impacts on people’s lives.
Extra living costs pile financial pressure on low-income families during lockdown
Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2021
The pandemic has placed significant financial pressures on poorer households – with the cost of extra food, energy, and remote learning having a greater impact on low-income families, a new study shows.
Obituary: Julie Williams
Posted on Friday 11 September 2020
Julie Williams who played a critical role in the creation of the Social Policy Research Unit, died on 6 September 2020, aged 72.
Criminal landlords subject tenants to illegal eviction, violence and exploitation, new report says
Posted on Wednesday 2 September 2020
Criminal landlords are subjecting tenants to financial exploitation, illegal eviction and violence, a major new report on the UK’s private rented sector reveals.
New UNICEF Report Card on child well-being in rich countries is launched
Posted on Tuesday 1 September 2020
The latest UNICEF Report Card on child well-being in rich countries is published by the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre on 3 September
Covid Realities website launch
Posted on Tuesday 14 July 2020
Today sees the official launch of the website for a national research project examining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on low income families.
New research projects announced focusing on the social implications of Covid-19
Posted on Thursday 23 April 2020
Academics at the University of York are to examine the legal and societal impact of Covid-19 in two separate studies announced today.
Ruth Patrick embarks upon a study into the impacts of recent benefit reforms on larger families
Posted on Thursday 6 February 2020
Focusing on the two-child limit and benefits cap, the research is funded by Nuffield Foundation and is a collaboration with Oxford University (Dr Aaron Reeves), LSE (Dr Kitty Stewart) and the Child Poverty Action Group.
Peer Researchers attend homelessness conference in Ireland
Posted on Wednesday 27 November 2019
The Peer Research and Understanding Homelessness: Exploring Practice, Learning and Innovation conference, was held in Dublin on 20 November 2019 by Focus Ireland. Guests and speakers included services and charities working within the homeless sector across Europe, some of whom were already using a peer research methodology.
Veterans’ substance abuse has devastating impact on loved ones
Posted on Thursday 14 November 2019
Professor Charlie Lloyd is calling on the families of veterans with substance abuse problems to take part in a major survey looking at their experiences.
Homelessness can be reduced using innovative ‘Housing First’ model
Posted on Friday 11 October 2019
A housing model has proved effective in reducing homelessness across Europe but it needs more political support to increase its impact, says a new study led by the University of York.
We're 6th in the UK
Posted on Monday 23 September 2019
Social Policy and Social Work at York is in the top ten for Social Work in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.
National House Project nominated for Children and Young People Now Award
Posted on Wednesday 18 September 2019
An innovative project evaluated by SPSW researchers has been nominated for the Leaving Care Award at the Children and Young People Now Awards 2019.
Self-funders' experiences of social care
Posted on Wednesday 14 August 2019
New research project looking at self-funders' experiences of social care, led by Dr Kate Baxter.
Social Policy Research Unit granted International Society for Child Indicators Impact Award
Posted on Tuesday 13 August 2019
The Social Policy Research Unit and The Children's Society have been awarded the 2019 International Society for Child Indicators Impact Award.
Previous news
New Projects
Latest research findings from SPRU
The House Project for young people leaving care
A two-year evaluation across five Local Authorities, looking at how young people are supported in their transition to independence from care.
Read more about the research project here.
Download a PDF of the evaluation report:
The House Project for young people leaving care (PDF 
, 1,221kb)
Break - Staying Close, Staying Connected Project
An evaluation of a pilot project to test 'staying close' approaches for young people leaving residential care in England.
Read more about the research project here.
Download a PDF of the evaluation report:
The Break Staying Close, Staying Connected Project (PDF , 1,047kb)
Evaluation of the Aspiration Project
Download a PDF of the evaluation report:
The Portsmouth Aspiration Staying Close Project (PDF , 3,659kb)
Evaluation of the Fair Ways Project
Download a PDF of the evaluation report:
Read more about the project here.
Read the latest journal article in the Journal of Long-term Care.
Read more about the research project here.
Download a PDF of the final report:
Download a PDF of the final report - Specialist nursing support for unpaid carers of people with dementia - report (PDF , 4,574kb)
Download a PDF of the plain English summary - Specialist nursing support for unpaid carers of people with dementia - summary (PDF , 114kb)
Download a PDF of the scientific summary - Specialist nursing support for unpaid carers of people with dementia (PDF , 139kb)
Download a PDF of the summary of findings - Specialist nursing support for unpaid carers for people with dementia (PDF , 886kb)
Contact us
Social Policy Research Unit
spru@york.ac.uk
+44 (0)1904 321231
Church Lane Building,
University of York,
Heslington,
York,
YO10 5ZF,
United Kingdom.
Twitter