Rachel Foston

I am a freelance research consultant with extensive experience of delivering process and outcome evaluation and research projects in the area of crime reduction and community safety.

My key areas of expertise include youth crime, policing and evaluation of government initiatives into crime reduction.

I have extensive experience of conducting research within all areas of the criminal justice system (courts, probation, police forces and prisons).

I have knowledge of all aspects of the research process, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

I am experienced in:

• Bid preparation and presentations
• Fieldwork tool design
• Management and delivery of fieldwork:
• Interviewing
• Focus groups
• Community consultation
• Data analysis
• Report writing
• Presentation of findings

These are just three examples of projects I have worked on. A full list of other projects/​research experience can be supplied on request:

Evaluation of the Youth Inclusion Programme (YIP)
http:/​/​www.yjb.gov.uk/​en-​gb/​search?LinkClick=%2Fcgi-​bin%2FMsmGo.exe%3Fgrab_id%3D0%26page_id%3D1200%26query%3Dyip%2520evaluation

http:/​/​www.yjb.gov.uk/​NR/​rdonlyres/​F1FB825F-​C3F1-​4F44-​9151-​30EDAB5D5F0C/​147/​YIPevaluation2003.pdf

The YIP is a Youth Justice Board programme that targets the fifty most ‘at risk’ young people in over 70 neighbourhoods across England and Wales and aims to reduce both arrests and truancy.

My main responsibilities were to manage the collection and analysis of the quantitative data from the programme's computer based management information system. In addition, I was involved in the research design and analysis of the qualitative data -​ which was collected by our eight regional evaluation teams. This included questionnaire and interview schedule design. I was also involved in report writing, presentations to senior managers, and training events for practitioners.

Understanding attrition in the volume crime process
http:/​/​www.homeoffice.gov.uk/​rds/​pdfs05/​hors295.pdf

An investigation for the Home Office into how volume crime investigations are carried out. The study tracked the investigation process from the report of a crime to final disposal in eight BCUs nationally and sought to assess ‘what solves volume crime’, ‘why attrition occurs’ and ‘why some areas are more successful than others in solving volume crime’.

Volume Crime Management and Neighbourhood Policing
I was Project Manager for a study investigating the impact of a new policing initiative (the Volume Crime Management Model) on the Neighbourhood Policing programme. I was responsible for the bid preparation and presentation, development of research tools, management of the fieldwork team and interviewing senior police officers.