MRS Public Policy / Social Research Award 09 Finalist

In the past four years our research work has received three nominations for the prestigious MRS Public Policy / Social Research Award.

The transition to adulthood - nomination

In 2006 Qa were nominated for research into the barriers preventing young and disadvantaged people from accessing support services which could help them begin a full and active adult life.

Using innovative techniques that were adapted to engage with non-traditional, hard to reach research audiences, our work allowed policy makers to develop action points which informed specific service improvements.

The findings gave policy makers at the Social Exclusion Unit the practical guidance and evidence they needed to begin to reshape support services for disadvantaged young people.

Breaking the cycle - nomination and award

Two years later research for the Prince’s Trust into the experiences of disaffected young offenders saw Qa awarded the MRS Public Policy / Social Research Award for the first time.

The goal was to establish how offenders could break the so-called “cycle of offending”. This cycle sees them commit crimes, serve their sentences and be released, only to find they lack the resources and support to begin a new life. The cycle begins again when they eventually commit another crime.

The research led to a high profile policy summit and pioneering new initiatives which are transforming the criminal justice system.

Following on from the research and the “Breaking the Cycle” summit, Qa carried out additional research for a government taskforce into criminal justice.

This research asked former and current offenders whether measures such as giving families greater involvement in sentencing and resettlement activities could actually cut reoffending rates and improve life chances.

Launched on 10th June 2008 in London, the Unlocking Potential report is expected to have a major impact on criminal justice policies over the next decade.

Life after care - nomination

In 2009 Qa were once again nominated, this time for our research into how care leavers prepare for their new lives and the barriers to employment and education opportunities they encounter.

Conducted on behalf of Children and Young People Now and the Care Leavers’ Foundation, the research was described by the award judges as “an excellent case study which shows a great understanding of the sector”.

Findings and recommendations were revealed during National Care Leavers’ Week in 2008 and are now part of a major campaign to reform the care leaving system.

The judging panel highlighted the emergence of “a campaign to reform the care leaving system” which was galvanised into action by the research findings.

Following the research and National Care Leavers’ Week 2008, the Government announced more funding for the care leaving system and a new programme to help care leavers find employment.

Contact details

For more information on any of these projects please contact Angela Browne on 01904 632039 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it