SCIE media releases 2006

Consultation into social care research launched

04 July 2006

How can we strengthen the research foundations of social care? Should social care research develop structures similar to health? Should one organisation have responsibility for coordinating research? And how can the relationship between research and practice improve?

SCIE has launched a UK-wide consultation today to get views from all who work in or use social care services about the research capacity of the whole sector.

SCIE was commissioned to coordinate the consultation after it identified weaknesses in research infrastructure in its report Developing the evidence base in social work and social care practice. Universities, Government bodies and voluntary organisations across the UK have also recognised the need to find ways to strengthen social care research, its funding and its leadership.

As the organisation that develops good practice in social care, SCIE is particularly concerned about maintaining the evidence base that advances knowledge and practice. Director of Research and Reviews at SCIE, Mike Fisher' said:

"Our work demonstrates the lack of infrastructure supporting social care research. Yet it's imperative that all developments in social care practice and policy are securely based on evidence. As we develop evidence-based policy and practice within our sector, it's important that we strengthen our capacity to produce high quality research-based knowledge.

"We're especially pleased to work with our partners to launch the first UK-wide consultation on this subject. We would urge all who use or work in social care to take this opportunity to comment on the research that could shape future services."

The Social care research capacity consultation is live until the end of September. A report on the findings will be published in December.

SCIE is undertaking this consultation on behalf of central government stakeholders:

• the Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills in England
• the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland
• the Scottish Executive, through a formal partnership with the Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education (SIESWE)
• the Social Services Inspectorate Wales.

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which funds social science research relevant to social care across the UK, is also backing the consultation

• Click here to take part in the social care research capacity consultation (now closed).
• Click here to access Report 10: Developing the evidence base in social work and social care practice.

Media contact

Annie Goss | Communications Officer | T: 020 7089 7117 | M: 07739 458 192 | Email: annie.goss@scie.org.uk