JSWEC/Research Conference 2008 The UK Social Work Research Strategy - The Way Forward Paul Bywaters (Coventry University) and Elaine Sharland (University of Sussex)

Structure Background Action since the launch Key developments Discussion

Aim of the Strategy to promote a step change in the quantity and quality of social work research in UK higher education institutions In order to: maximise the HEI contribution to social work and social care service improvement develop a strong evidence base for social work and social care services build a workforce capable of using evidence critically and effectively.

Key Issues Resources Capacity and Capability Recognition and Governance Visibility and Impact

Outcomes: Building Momentum Contributing to policy development Ethics Approval Systems Links with Social Care Research Collaboration

Outcomes: Capacity Building Researcher Development Initiatives 1 and 2 Major Investment from ESRC Audits for Baseline Data Strategic Advisor Post Including Research in PQ

Outcomes: Funding School of Social Care Research within NIHR : £15m over 5 years Developing funding models

Elaine Sharland Strategic Advisor for Social Work and Social Care Research

Aims to progress a UK-wide strategy to develop a sound long-term infrastructure for social work and social care research to identify the optimal role for ESRC and others in advancing the agenda to build on existing momentum for change, invigorate the research field and research community of practice

A formidable challenge….. bringing together diverse and dispersed stakeholder perspectives making productive connections with other disciplines while promoting distinctive social work and social care research developing shared recommendations for research themes, priorities, structure, mechanisms, funding establishing complementarity with concurrent policy/research strategies and initiatives developing coherent working arrangements for future planning balancing enhancement of intrinsic research quality with utility for policy and practice

Stage 1 Objectives To consolidate current evidence base on: research capacity and capability needs existing resources and opportunities career pathway points for intervention key interdisciplinary linkages funding models gaps in all the above

Stage 2 Objectives To plan for future and agree recommendations for: organising research themes short, medium and long-term research priorities optimal structures, mechanisms, and career intervention points (co)funding models to support these

Methodology: Delphi technique structured group communication process: diverse and dispersed experts address complex problem through iterative stages, towards common objectives establish consultative panel (c30 members) representing as full as possible range of stakeholder perspectives iterative web based exchange, culminating in consultative event to ‘test’ recommendations advantages: logistics, time, cost, equal voice, committed network formally constituted embedded within a four-stage work programme Sept 08- Aug 09

Preliminary Stage: (Sept/Oct 2008) orientation, planning, networking and preliminary consultation (includes UK SCRC; Steering Group) identifying sampling frame -organisations and key individuals recruitment to consultative panel desktop review of available evidence and gaps design of Stage 1 questionnaire and setting up consultation website

Stage 1 Consultation & Analysis (Nov 2008 – Feb 2009) questionnaire summarizes existing evidence base invites comments to confirm or modify, address gaps, highlight constituency-specific issues, suggest priorities analysis/synthesis of feedback incorporated into discussion document for further comment analysis/synthesis informs Interim Progress Report and design of Stage 2 questionnaire

Stage 2 Consultation & Analysis (Mar - Jun 2009) questionnaire drawing on Stage 1 synthesis to elicit views on: research themes and priorities optimal structures, mechanisms, career intervention points potential (co)funding model analysis/synthesis of feedback incorporated into discussion document for further comment analysis/synthesis of above; consultation with Steering Group and UK SCRC; preparation of draft report and recommendations

Stage 3 Testing and Finalising Recommendations (Jul/Aug 2009) two linked events: ‘special interest group’ meeting and ‘symposium’ at JSWERC conference July 2009 to ‘test’ draft recommendations with panel members and wider reference group; consolidate shared ownership of recommendations feedback to be incorporated into final Report and recommendations to Steering Group

Issues to resolve What are the big research questions for social care? How best to promote practice based research and research utilisation in practice? What models can be developed for securing and allocating research of service expenditure? What are the key career intervention points and how best to intervene to promote research expertise? How can social work engage with other disciplines to promote social care research? How to balance raising research capacity across the board with centres or networks of excellence?

Background Papers Marsh, P. and Fisher, M. (2005) Developing the Evidence Base for Social Work and Social Care Practice. London: Social Care Institute for Excellence. These background papers have now been published by BJSW by Advance Access and will be appearing later this summer in 38:5 Lena Dominelli, and Margaret Holloway Ethics and Governance in Social Work Research in the UK BJSW Advance Access published on March 6, 2008, DOI /bjsw/bcm123. Ian Shaw, and Matthew Norton Kinds and Quality of Social Work Research BJSW Advance Access published on January 27, 2008, DOI /bjsw/bcm128. Joan Orme, and Jackie Powell Building Research Capacity in Social Work: Process and Issues BJSW Advance Access published on December 20, 2007, DOI /bjsw/bcm122. Peter Marsh, and Mike Fisher The Development of Problem-Solving Knowledge for Social Care Practice BJSW Advance Access published on October 10, 2007, DOI /bjsw/bcm116.