1 Criteria High (1) Medium (2) Low (3) methodological Characteristics include any Characteristics include any or all Characteristics include any or all A – quality or all of: of: of: use of a control group qualitative description of little or no explanation of impact/effect and method measurement of impact/effect adequate explanation of results are not clearly method, conduct of study, explained clear explanation of results method, conduct of little or no explanation of study, results impact/effect B methodological The study’s methods have a The methods have an There is little or no clear – relevance strong and clear relationship adequate relationship between relationship between the between the methods used the methods used and the methods used and the results, and the results, impact or results, impact or effect being impact or effect being described effect being described described C topic relevance The topic directly addresses The topic directly addresses at The topic directly addresses one – two or more key themes of least two of the key themes of of the key themes of the the literature review (skills the literature review (skills and literature review (skills and and knowledge to undertake knowledge to undertake caring knowledge to undertake caring caring role; education and role; education and training role; education and training training initiatives for carers; initiatives for carers; initiatives for carers; transferability of skills; transferability of skills; transferability of skills; integration integration of current or integration of current or former of current or former carers into former carers into carers into employment) employment) employment) D overall rating High = 3-4 Medium = 5-6 Low = 7-9 – (The sum score for each criteria) Source: ACIL Allen Consulting 2014 The overall weight of evidence assessment for the literature relevant to each research question is provided in 2. 2 Research question Weight of evidence rating (no. records) High Medium Low 1. Practical skills and 13 5 4 knowledge 2. Education and training 14 4 2 initiatives 3. Transfer of skills and 1 1 0 qualifications 4. Evidence of successful 6 13 2 approaches 4a. Employment 0 1 1 preferences 4b. Barriers to entering 11 15 7 employment / training TOTAL 45 39 16 Source: ACIL Allen Consulting 2014 Interviews To further supplement the literature search and analysis, a small number of interviews were undertaken with academics active in this area as well as individuals from relevant peak organisations and education/ training providers. The purpose of these interviews was to address gaps identified in the evidence and provide further information on specific approaches to supporting carers to transition to employment.
1 Criteria High (1) Medium (2) Low (3) A – methodological quality Characteristics include any or all of: use of a control group measurement of impact/effect clear explanation of method, conduct of study, results Characteristics include any or all of: qualitative description of impact/effect and adequate explanation of method, conduct of study, results Characteristics include any or all of: little or no explanation of method results are not clearly explained little or no explanation of impact/effect B – methodological relevance The study’s methods have a strong and clear relationship between the methods used and the results, impact or effect being described The methods have an adequate relationship between the methods used and the results, impact or effect being described There is little or no clear relationship between the methods used and the results, impact or effect being described C – topic relevance The topic directly addresses two or more key themes of the literature review (skills and knowledge to undertake caring role; education and training initiatives for carers; transferability of skills; integration of current or former carers into employment) The topic directly addresses at least two of the key themes of the literature review (skills and knowledge to undertake caring role; education and training initiatives for carers; transferability of skills; integration of current or former carers into employment) The topic directly addresses one of the key themes of the literature review (skills and knowledge to undertake caring role; education and training initiatives for carers; transferability of skills; integration of current or former carers into employment) D – overall rating (The sum score for each criteria) High = 3-4 Medium = 5-6 Low = 7-9 Source: ACIL Allen Consulting 2014 The overall weight of evidence assessment for the literature relevant to each research question is provided in 2. 2 Research question Weight of evidence rating (no. records) High Medium Low 1. Practical skills and knowledge 13 5 4 2. Education and training initiatives 14 4 2 3. Transfer of skills and qualifications 1 1 0 4. Evidence of successful approaches 6 13 2 4a. Employment preferences 0 1 1 4b. Barriers to entering employment / training 11 15 7 TOTAL 45 39 16 Source: ACIL Allen Consulting 2014 Interviews To further supplement the literature search and analysis, a small number of interviews were undertaken with academics active in this area as well as individuals from relevant peak organisations and education/ training providers. The purpose of these interviews was to address gaps identified in the evidence and provide further information on specific approaches to supporting carers to transition to employment.
carers_skills_literature_review_final_web_accessible_text_for_fig_1_2.docx