We produce a small number of independent research pieces or publications each year, which are listed below. This is in addition to our programme and project-specific publications which can be found on the relevant pages within our Products and Services sections.
If you are interested in finding out more about our research services, visit our research services page
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2023
Report of the findings of the 2023 National Instrumental Music Survey in Scotland. The survey has run since 2012 and shares information about instrumental music services (IMS) across Scotland including fees and charges, participation numbers, concessions and inclusivity, instrument uptake, instructor and tutor numbers, service delivery costs, and extra-curricular activities
This is the second year of the survey where tuition fees were not charged following agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA. It also represents a greater return to “normal” service provision within the instrumental music sector, and in education settings more generally, following the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. As is outlined in the report, the effects of the pandemic are still felt, and several changes put in place at that time remain.
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2022
Report of the findings of the 2022 National Instrumental Music Survey in Scotland. The survey has run since 2012 and shares information about instrumental music services (IMS) across Scotland including: tuition fees, concessionary rates, instrument hire and loan policies, pupil numbers, cost of services, instructor numbers and additional activities.
The 2022 survey shows the continued impact that Covid-19 has had for instrumental music services, as well as how effectively local authorities have responded. 2021/22 was also the first year where tuition fees were completely removed through agreement of COSLA and the Scottish Government.
Wellbeing Economy Briefing
Key to the concept of a Wellbeing Economy is recognising the limits of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a tool for defining success for the economy. Instead, a Wellbeing Economy measures success in terms of the broader collection of outcomes that the economy can deliver for its people, recognising that the purpose of economic growth should be to benefit the people who are part of that economy.
This briefing explains more about what a Wellbeing Economy is and how its principles are being applied across the UK and internationally.
Good governance during COVID-19: learning from the experience of Scottish Local Authorities
Councils in Scotland had to adapt their governance arrangement to respond to the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early Spring 2020. Doing so involved enacting emergency protocols or creating new arrangements at pace, and reviewing and revising these arrangements as the pandemic dipped and peaked
This paper provides findings and learning from discussions with senior officers and elected members in six Scottish councils, on the governance arrangements they put in place in their councils during the pandemic.
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2021
Report of the findings of the 2021 National Instrumental Music Survey in Scotland. The survey has run since 2012 and shares information about instrumental music services (IMS) across Scotland including: tuition fees, concessionary rates, instrument hire and loan policies, pupil numbers, cost of services, instructor numbers and additional activities.
The 2021 survey finds that instrumental music services have been at the forefront of applying innovative approaches to delivering their services in response to COVID-19 restrictions. While lessons could not be delivered face to face music services were some of the first to explore online solutions using online platforms.
Dog Control Notice Proof of Concept
Final Report
Following a scoping study on improving the operational effectiveness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, we undertook a proof of concept for a national database of Dog Control Notices which could be easily accessed and used by all local authorities and Police Scotland. Six Scottish local authorities and Police Scotland participated.
We have also produced a video explaining the proof of concept.
Improving the Operational Effectiveness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act, 2010
Scoping Study by the Improvement Service
Scottish Government-comissioned scoping study designed to:
- develop a fuller understanding of the current approach towards dog control notice management
- Analyse and assess ways the approach might be transformed and improved, leading to multiple benefits
- Assess technology options available, including the establishment of a national database.
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2020
This report details results from the 2020 National Instrumental Music Survey in Scotland. The survey has now run for eight consecutive years since 2012 and shares information about instrumental music services (IMS) across Scotland including: tuition fees, concessionary rates, instrument hire and loan policies, pupil numbers, cost of services, instructor numbers and additional activities.
In 2020, services have been heavily disrupted by COVID-19 with lessons often delivered remotely to over 56,000 pupils across Scotland. There has also been an increase in concessions to tuition fees with over a third of pupils receiving some sort of discount, and all pupils in receipt of Free School Meals or in receipt of an equivalent state benefit entitled to free tuition.
The Impacts of COVID-19: An Overview of the Research to Date
This report provides an overview of research published exploring the potential and forecast impact of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and public health response, including the lockdown that was brought into force in March. In particular, the research focuses on the economic impact of the pandemic and restrictions, the implications for poverty, and summarises the situation in a range of international settings with focus on any lessons for Scotland.
This report was initially produced on the 20 April 2020 and will be kept up to date with new research as this is published and the situation evolves.
Collaborative Working Research Report
Findings of research commissioned by the IS to review the experience and incidence of collaborative working and shared services approaches across Scottish local government. The report identifies that such activities are significant, varied and growing in number, and outlines the reported benefits, challenges and lessons learned.
The Collaborative Working Research Report: Research Review, which examines existing literature around this subject, is part of this study.
Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress (December 2019)
The Scottish Government and local government are committed to increasing funded early learning and childcare entitlement to 1140 hours per year from August 2020 for all 3 and 4-year-olds and for eligible 2-year-olds. To provide assurance on implementation of this commitment, the ELC Joint Delivery Board is working with the Improvement Service and Scottish Futures Trust to collect data on the progress of the delivery of the expansion programmes across councils. This report summarises the progress of the ELC Expansion at the end of September 2019.
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2019
The Instrumental Music Survey gathers information on all local authority provided Instrumental Music Services in Scotland. This is the seventh successive year where the survey has been conducted, and includes information on tuition charges, concession policies, pupil numbers, selection procedures, additional activities, costs of services, and instructor numbers. The 2019 report also features research on the benefits to pupils through participation in Instrumental Music Services.
Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress (September 2019)
The Scottish Government and local government are committed to increasing funded early learning and childcare entitlement to 1140 hours per year from August 2020 for all 3 and 4-year-olds and for eligible 2-year-olds. To provide assurance on implementation of this commitment, the ELC Joint Delivery Board is working with the Improvement Service and Scottish Futures Trust to collect data on the progress of the delivery of the expansion programmes across councils. This report provides data and analysis for the period up to August 2019.
A preliminary report on potential funding models and delivery approaches which could be used to allocate the levy funding devolved to the Scottish Government for debt advice
The purpose of this preliminary report is to explore potential funding model options for how the Scottish Government might best utilise the debt levy funding that has recently been devolved to it in order to obtain maximum impact and added value. Whilst acknowledging the multiple benefits offered by public access to advice services, how the levy funding is used requires to take account of the current context in which these services exist - both in terms of the complexity of the sector and the constraints under which it is operating.
Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress (December 2018)
The Scottish Government and local government are committed to increasing funded early learning and childcare entitlement to 1140 hours per year from August 2020 for all 3 and 4-year-olds and for eligible 2-year-olds. The expansion is a cornerstone in helping every child to fulfil their potential and to close the poverty-related attainment gap. To provide assurance on implementation of this commitment, the ELC Joint Delivery Board is working with the Improvement Service and Scottish Futures Trust to collect data on the progress of the delivery of the expansion programmes across councils. This report provides data and analysis for the period 1 May 2018 to 30 September 2018.
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2018
The National Instrumental Music Survey was first introduced in 2013 to share information regarding the provision of local authority-led Instrumental Music Services in Scotland. This is the sixth consecutive year of the annual survey which includes information on tuition fees, concession rates, instrument hire and loan procedures, pupil numbers, costs of services, instructor numbers, and additional activities.
COSLA’s Children and Young People Board has agreed policy in relation to Instrumental Music Services and, together with the Scottish Government and Music Education and Partnership Group, developed accompanying guidance that councils may wish to consider when reviewing their charging policies. COSLA’s report on this can be found on the COSLA website.
Scotland's Councillors 2017-2022
This report details the findings of a survey of councillors elected in 2017 and explores how councillors compare with the Scottish population. The purpose of this survey was to develop a better understanding of Scotland’s current councillors. The survey examined the demographic profile of councillors, such as their age, gender and ethnicity but also looked at questions relating particularly to the councillor role, for example additional employment status, how councillor duties are managed and why councillors chose to stand at the election.
Projected Cost Pressures for Scottish Local Government
This analysis was carried out by the Improvement Service with the assistance of COSLA, Directors of Finance, and SOLACE. The paper explores how demographic trends and inflation are likely to affect local authority expenditure over the period to 2021.
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2017
The National Instrumental Music Survey was first introduced in 2013 to share information regarding the provision of local authority-led Instrumental Music Services in Scotland. This is the fifth consecutive year of the annual survey which includes information on tuition fees, concession rates, instrument hire and loan procedures, pupil numbers, costs of services, instructor numbers, and additional activities.
Talent Management in Public Services in Scotland
This research by the Improvement Service, Edinburgh Napier University Business School and
the University of the West of Scotland’s School of Business and Enterprise aimed to establish the current nature and status of talent management across Scotland’s public services. The report identifies a number of implications for practice and proposes some recommendations as to how these could be addressed.
A practitioner report is also available to accompany this research.
Instrumental Music Services: Results from the IMS Survey 2016
This report documents the results from the 2016 Instrumental Music Survey. This is the fourth consecutive year of this national survey and reports on the provision of local authority led Instrumental Music Services in Scotland. Information available includes: tuition fees, concession rates, instrument hire/loan policies, pupil numbers, costs of services and revenue, instructor numbers, and additional activities.
Place-based Approaches to Joint Planning, Resourcing and Delivery: an overview of current practice in Scotland
This research looks at the current landscape of place-based approaches to joint planning, resourcing and delivery across Scotland’s local authority areas. It is based on literature review and interviews with 27 local authorities in Scotland.
1000 Communities
This study seeks to address patterns of inequalities across Scotland over the past ten years. The key results indicate that inequalities between neighbourhoods in Scotland are persistent over time, and reinforce the multiple nature of positive and negative life outcomes. This calls into question the success of previous policies which sought to reduce such inequality and the ability of public services to meet demands equally across society. The results also highlight the value of employment and income-generating programmes within Scotland’s most deprived areas.