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Our research and evidence - What we have heard so far

In September 2023, Big Motive, a local design agency was commissioned to conduct research with frontline social care managers. Click on the images below to access the research reports providing insights into social care managers’ attitudes, expectations and motivations.

In December 2022, Big Motive, a local design agency was commissioned to conduct research with frontline social care practitioners. Click on the images below to access the research reports providing insights into social care workers attitudes, expectations and motivations.

Dr. Shirley Boyle (Academic) was commissioned to conduct a survey to capture the voice of social care practitioners in 2022. In 2023 she was also asked to carry out an evidence review of recruitment and retention in social care.

Click on the links below to access these reports:

Social care manager forums

We have also used our Social Care Manager Forums to engage directly with social care managers about the reform project and objectives. These forums provided an opportunity to:

  • learn about the new CiP Framework and Certificate.
  • hear about research we have undertaken with frontline social care workers.
  • hear about research on what works in retention and employer examples of what they are doing to retain staff.


Click on the films below to hear from managers and key stakeholders within the sector.

What’s the benefits of Social Care workplace reforms?

What is the Care in Practice
(CiP) Framework?

Do we need social care
workforce reform?

Click here to access presentations delivered at previous forums.

Tell us more…

We have asked the sector including social care practitioners and managers what they thought – this is what they told us.


Our Relevant Research

The King’s Fund – Young people’s experiences of working in adult social care.

For more information:

If you have a question or want to know more, please email the workforce development team at: workforcedevelopment@niscc.hscni.net.

Scheduled maintenance

Due to scheduled maintenance on our online services ‘My Portal’ – anyone who wishes to start, progress or submit an application for registration will not be able to. These services will resume Wednesday 16 October 2024. Thank you for your patience.