200 likes | 335 Views
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.
E N D
JSWEC/Research Conference 2008The 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 funding @2.5% 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 10.1093/bjsw/bcm123. • Ian Shaw , and Matthew Norton Kinds and Quality of Social Work ResearchBJSW Advance Access published on January 27, 2008, DOI 10.1093/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 10.1093/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 10.1093/bjsw/bcm116.