Melissa Meindl
Research Associate, CASCADE
- meindlm@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2251 0953
- sbarc|spark, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
Overview
I am a mixed-methods Research Associate at the Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE) with a background in social care, psychology and neuroscience.
I am experienced in working across multiple disciplines and have a wide range of research interests. I'm currently interested in the relationship between alternative therapeutic techniques and wider individual/family outcomes, child and adolescent mental health, the influence of cognitive biases, and breaking the cyclical nature of family trauma and involvement in Children's Social Care services.
Biography
Academic Positions
- 2018-2021: Research Assistant, Cardiff University
- 2021-present: Research Associate, Cardiff University
Education and Qualifications
- 2013: B.Sc. Psychological Science (Minor in Behavioural Neuroscience), LaTrobe University, Australia.
Honours and awards
- 2011, 2012 & 2013: Deans Honours List- Outstanding Academic Performance in the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering. Latrobe University, Australia.
Publications
2023
- Adara, L. et al. 2023. The Social Workers in Schools Trial: An evaluation of school based social work.. Project Report. Early Intervention Foundation.
2022
- Westlake, D., Corliss, C., Thompson, S., Meindl, M., Diaz, C., Talwar, R. and Folkes, L. 2022. Devolved budgets in Children’s Social Care: A logic model based on three pilot evaluations. British Journal of Social Work 52(7), pp. 3999-4020. (10.1093/bjsw/bcac019)
- Wilkins, D. and Meindl, M. 2022. Can child protection social workers forecast future actions, events and outcomes? A case study of long-term work with five families.. Child Care in Practice (10.1080/13575279.2022.2118674)
- Meindl, M., Hosch, M. and Westlake, D. 2022. An evaluation of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court in Wales pilot: Interim report. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff University. Available at: https://cascadewales.org/research/evaluation-of-the-family-drug-and-alcohol-court-in-wales-pilot/
2021
- Meindl, M. and Wilkins, D. 2021. Can social workers forecast future actions, events, and outcomes? A study of referrals to children’s services in England. Child Care in Practice (10.1080/13575279.2021.2001434)
- Wilkins, D. and Meindl, M. 2021. A randomised controlled trial of a ‘checklist’ intervention to mitigate confirmation bias and improve forecasting accuracy in social work. Available at: https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/research-report/a-randomised-controlled-trial-of-a-checklist-intervention-to-mitigate-confirmation-bias-and-improve-forecasting-accuracy-in-social-work/
- Stabler, L. et al. 2021. A scoping review of system-level mechanisms to prevent children being in out-of-home care. British Journal of Social Work 52(5), pp. 2515-2536., article number: bcab213. (10.1093/bjsw/bcab213)
2020
- Westlake, D. et al. 2020. Social workers in schools: an evaluation of pilots in three local authorities in England. Project Report. [Online]. London: What Works Centre for Children's Social Care. Available at: https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/WWCSC_Social-Workers-in-Schools_pilot-study_full-report_May-2020.pdf
- Westlake, D. et al. 2020. Devolved budgets: an evaluation of pilots in three local authorities in England. Project Report. [Online]. London: What Works Centre for Children's Social Care. Available at: https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/WWCSC_Devolved_Budgets_Full_Report_March_2020_FINAL.pdf
2019
- Meindl, M., Stabler, L., Mayhew Manistre, L., Sheehan, L., O'Donnell, C., Forrester, D. and Brand, S. 2019. How do family drug and alcohol courts work with parents to safely reduce the number of children in care? A rapid realist review. Project Report. [Online]. London: What Works Centre for Children's Social Care. Available at: https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/WWCSC_FDAC_rapid_realist_review_Oct2019.pdf
2018
- Brand, S. et al. 2018. Mapping the evidence about what works to safely reduce the number of children and young people in statutory care: A systematic scoping review. Technical Report.
Since August 2018 I have been working on a programme of work for the What Works Centre for Children's Social Care. This has involved contributing to a number of qualitative and quantitative research projects including:
- A scoping review mapping the evidence about what works to safely reduce the number of children and young people in statutory care. https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Reducing_care_main_report_proof_amends.pdf
- A series of realist reviews using the EMMIE framework, including leading a rapid realist review on Family Drug and Alcohol Court. https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/WWCSC_FDAC_rapid_realist_review_Oct2019.pdf
- An evaluation of devolved budgets. https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/WWCSC_Devolved_Budgets_Full_Report_March_2020_FINAL.pdf
- An evaluation of social workers in schools. https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/WWCSC_Social-Workers-in-Schools_pilot-study_full-report_May-2020.pdf
- A realist evaluation of children and families involved in child protection shared decision making meetings.
- A series of projects on social work decision-making, including a randomised controlled trial of interventions that mitigate the effects of cognitive bias.