Urban labour, voice and legitimacy: economic development and the emergence of community unionism

Community unionism has emerged in the past decade as a growing strand of industrial relations research and is influencing trade union strategies for renewal. This article seeks to further develop the concept, while exploring the potential roles for unions in communities subject to projects of urban regeneration.

Social and demographic factors of young fathers in the UK and USA

Research on disadvantaged young fathers has been minimally addressed in the literature, particularly in the UK. In both countries teenage pregnancy rates are high and costly in terms of social policy and community provision. This paper explores 2 studies involving 24 young men with an average age of 17 on the transition to young fatherhood; one study was conducted in the UK with white young men and the other in the USA with black young men. The findings from both studies indicated common themes from their stories, particularly with regard to the high levels of disadvantage and social exclusion they had been exposed to in their demographic environments and the anti-social behaviour they described engaging in, prior to the birth of their child/ren. Specifically, a significant proportion of the young men described how they had been immersed in drug and gun crimes and how this shaped their lives and neighbourhoods. Becoming fathers is presented by both sets of young men as rescuing them from this criminal lifestyle.

Aspects of midwifery care 2: 'enhanced role' and social aspects

This is the second in a series of six papers presenting key findings from a national study that was undertaken to investigate the role and responsibilities of midwives and to identify and address continuing educational need. The background to the study and the titles of other papers in the series were outlined in the first paper. This paper focuses on two key aspects of the midwife’s role: ‘enhanced role’ activities and social and emotional care. The implications of the findings for practice and education are discussed.

Aspects of care 4: views of professionals and mothers

This is the fourth in a series of six papers presenting key findings from a national study that was undertaken to investigate the role and responsibilities of midwives and to identify continuing educational need. The background to the study and the titles of the other papers in the series have been outlined in the first paper. This paper focuses on midwives’, supervisors’, doctors’ and mothers’ views regarding quality of care issues, with particular emphasis on what makes a ‘good’ midwife.

Aspects of midwifery care 3: organisation of midwifery care

This is the third in a series of six papers presenting key findings from a national study that was undertaken to investigate the role and responsibilities of midwives and to identify continuing educational need. The background to the study and the titles of the other papers in the series have been outlined in the first paper. Issues related to the way midwifery care is organized nationally are discussed in this paper. Midwives and supervisors indicated a strong commitment to providing woman-centred care in a caring and sensitive manner, often in the face of enormous structural and organizational change. This paper addresses key issues that arose for midwives and supervisors when planning and providing an optimum quality service.

Aspects of care 5: the continuing educational needs of midwives

This is the fifth in a series of six papers presenting key findings from a national study that was undertaken to investigate the role and responsibilities of midwives and to identify continuing educational need. The background to the study and the titles of the other papers in the series have been outlined in the first paper. This paper focuses on the methods used to identify the continuing educational needs of midwives, and provides an overview of the findings related to midwives' perceived confidence/competence to practice and their continuing educational needs.

Aspects of care 6: continuing educational needs of midwives 2

This is the last in a series of six papers presenting key findings from a national study that was undertaken to investigate the role and responsibilities of midwives in England and to identify and address continuing educational needs. The background to the study and the titles of other papers in the series have been outlined in the first paper. The first five papers have provided an overview of the main research findings that have been used to determine the continuing educational needs of midwives. This paper provides a more detailed picture of the issues that were identified in relation to educational need, and an overview of the way in which an educational package was developed on the basis of the research findings for use by midwives nationally.