communication

Case studies

‘The simple process of asking โ€˜whyโ€™ questions provides an incredibly useful tool for expanding the landscape of solutions for a problem. Being able to look at situations using different frames is critically important when tackling all types of challenges.’ (Seelig, 2013)

Phase one of the project was designed to explore the perceptions of and approaches to innovation in the area of homelessness prevention in Scotland. Eight case studies were developed from scoping workshop suggestions to provide a range of perspectives. The innovative approaches showcased in the case studies may not be considered radical, but they represent a real change to how work is done and how knowledge is used within the context of homelessness prevention. This represents innovation which is ‘new to sector’, one of the three ways IRISS describes innovation.

Case studies are based on in-depth interviews with people working in homelessness prevention in Scotland which took place at the end of 2014. Discussions aimed to unpick the things that underpin and enable the different approaches.

communication
Flickr – Stu Mayhew (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Despite variations, the case studies share common values and mechanisms which are explored in the take-home messages section. In terms of innovation, some of the services are unique (at the time of the discussions), whereas others have taken existing models and approaches from elsewhere and adapted them for their organisation.