research in practice FIRM FOUNDATIONS: Creating a climate for research utilisation across children ’ s services Colleen Eccles, Assistant Director, research in practice PEPE conference, Edinburgh, 2008

research in practice Aims of Today’s Session 1.What works in implementing strategies to encourage research use and evidence- informed practice in policy and practice 2.To look at the ‘change project’ model as a means of engaging practice with research and producing tools for change

research in practice research in practice: who we are Since 1996, we have developed into the UK’s largest research utilisation project in the children and families field with a network of over 80 participating agencies. We cultivate an active relationship with participating agencies that is: collaborative supportive - sharing ideas and resources developmental committed to developing learning organisations designed for life-long learning research in practice offer a six-strand programme that supports the development of an evidence-informed culture - encouraging critical thinking and engaging policy makers, managers and front-line staff.

research in practice Barking & DagenhamBirminghamBlackpoolBournemouth Bracknell ForestBrentBrighton & HoveBristol City BuckinghamshireCAFCASSCambridgeshireCheshire Children’s SocietyCornwallCoventryCumbria DerbyshireDevonDorsetDudley Durham CountyEast SussexEssexGloucestershire HackneyHammersmith & F’hamHampshireHarrow HertfordshireKensington & ChelseaLambethLancashire Leicester CityLeicestershireMedwayMENCAP MertonNewhamNorth YorkshireNorthamptonshire NorthumberlandNSPCCPlymouthPortsmouth ReadingSheffieldSloughSomerset SouthamptonSouthwarkSt HelensStaffordshire StockportSuffolkTACTTameside Together TrustTorbayWaltham ForestWest Berkshire West SussexWestminsterWiganWiltshire Windsor & MaidenheadWolverhamptonBarnsley The network

research in practice The six strands of our work Change Projects:  Organisational Support  Leadership  Using research in evidence in Court  Young women and alcohol Publications:  Practice handbooks  Research reviews  NetWork  Audio CDs and DVDs  Research briefings  Champions for Children Website:  Network Exchange:  exchange groups  Regional meetings  National events Learning Events:  Research message and support workshops  Case study workshops  Partnership conferences  E-learning Joint work with RiPfA:  New sister organisation working with adults

research in practice Evidence-informed practice: about the approach Evidence-informed is an approach which seeks to: increase research-mindedness encourage critical thinking cultivate innovation, experimentation, reflection, evaluation and review support research dissemination support implementation and adoption of research findings promote decision making informed by sound research evidence We use the term evidence-informed rather than evidence- based to reflect combining the best available research evidence with the practice expertise of professionals and the views of service users.

research in practice Consensus? best available evidence should INFORM practitioners’ decisions practitioners draw on different types and sources of evidence a considered and thoughtful process influence of research often subtle and indirect multi-disciplinary teams make clarity about the social care evidence-base even more important

research in practice Debate? what counts as ‘best evidence’? practitioners finding and using research to inform individual cases? explicit reference to the influence of research on decisions and proposals? who’s responsible for developing research knowledge and use?

research in practice Whose responsibility? National requirements ‘Research, analyse, evaluate and use current knowledge of best social work practice.’ National Occupational Standards for SW ‘90 hours or 15 days of study, training, courses, seminars, reading, teaching or other activities which could reasonably be expected to advance the social worker's professional development, or contribute to the development of the profession as a whole.’ GSCC re-registration policy

research in practice Whose responsibility? Quality Strategy for Social Care ‘Excellent councils will ensure…that there are clear mechanisms for keeping staff up-to-date with practice development, research findings and active participation in research and learning networks…[and] that there is a shift to a culture of continuous improvement.’ Department of Health (2000)

research in practice Whose responsibility? research in practice’s experience There are limits to what (even very committed) teams and individuals can achieve alone. They need: leaders who embed the use of research in the organisation’s culture and bloodstream processes that reinforce these expectations enabling facilities and opportunities

research in practice Echoes in other people’s findings ‘The role of leadership and senior management was noted to be crucial in demonstrating the value of research as a source for new ideas, in accessing and making use of research, in encouraging research by practitioners and in active collaboration with research producers.’ Barnardo’s (2000)

research in practice Change Project Method Stage 1: Idea generation Stage 2: Scoping Study Stage 3: Experts Knowledge Exchange Stage 4: Recruit and run CP group Stage 5: Produce an Action Pack Stage 6: Pilot and Evaluate Action Pack Stage 7: Produce a Handbook Stage 8: Launch and Publicise Stage 9: Promote and support use

research in practice Leading Evidence-Informed Practice A tried and tested handbook 31 agencies involved theoretical ideas tools / exercises ‘wise words’ & ‘top tips’ audio CD of experiences real examples ‘dig deeper’ resources on the website

research in practice What the Handbook covers Looks at motivational leadership How to encourage learning and improvement Sustaining change and momentum

research in practice Tools

research in practice Firm Foundations handbook Guidance Ideas and advice Tools / exercises Video CD Links to real examples and ‘dig deeper’ resources

research in practice The Firm Foundations handbook covers: Why use research evidence? How to gain and maintain organisational support for evidence-informed practice How to develop strategy How to improve access to and learning from research How to support local research

research in practice Five ‘firm foundations’

research in practice

research in practice Research Use in Court Scoping Study Practical guidance Tools Video CD Links to real examples and ‘dig deeper’ resources

research in practice Key Issues How do we define social work expertise? How do we convey and assert social work expertise? Are expert witnesses appointed thoughtfully?

research in practice Key Issues What level of confidence do other professionals working in the family court have about the evidence presented by social workers? How are the judiciary research informed? How can we improve the confidence and Competence of social workers?

research in practice Focus on Practice Highlights innovative practice found within the Network. Practice examples are also on film Page 64

research in practice Conclusion EIP is a shared responsibility Leadership influences the culture of an organisation, therefore it is of utmost importance to have leadership support for EIP Organisational support is essential to embed the approach so that it amounts to more than the enthusiasm of a few individuals Individual practitioner awareness and confidence in applying critical thinking is central to making good evidence informed decisions