The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) has launched a consultation on the draft Social work and social care research, evidence, innovation and improvement strategy 2026 – 2031.
The Social Care Council has, since 2023, taken on responsibility for leading the strategic social work and social care research agenda. It has been doing this with the support of a Research and Evidence Partnership, a Committee of the Councils’ Board. One of the core tasks of this partnership is to oversee the strategy’s development.
The Social Care Council urges the public, social workers and social care practitioners, and stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft strategy, to help guide future social work and social care research priorities in Northern Ireland.
Social workers and social care practitioners are diverse professions. They are part of the wider health and social care family concerned with the wellbeing of society and are also employed in a range of justice, education and community and voluntary sectors. The consultation will be of interest to anyone with an interest in an of these areas.
Consultation responses are invited to respond to the twelve-week consultation, which is open until 5pm, Wednesday 22 July 2026.
Social Care Council Chief Executive, Tracy Reid said:
“This is a pivotal strategy that will shape the future of social work and social research in Northern Ireland for the next five years. It focuses on enhancing research and evidence innovation, and, importantly, cultivate a culture of curiosity and critical thinking in those involved in research whether they are social workers or social care practitioners, from across a range of organisations and sectors, with other related professions, academics, people with lived experience and carers.”
The strategy has been co designed in partnership with social workers and social care practitioners from across a range of organisations and sectors, other related professions, academics, people with lived experience and carers.
What is happening?
The public consultation on the Social Care Council’s draft Social work and social care research, evidence, innovation and improvement strategy 2026 – 2031 is now open.
Date launched: Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Closing date: 5pm, Wednesday 22 July 2026
This consultation will be of most interest to:
- Registered social workers, social care practitioners and social work students.
- As we wouldn’t pick out specific groups such as AD Governance Leads or would we
- Other professionals, policy makers and organisations in the health and social care, justice, education and community and voluntary sectors.
- Education providers, academics, Research and Evidence Partnership and the research community.
- Members of the community who receive health and social care services, their family members and carers.
- Wider stakeholders.
Consultation subject and purpose
This consultation is to gather stakeholders’ views on the Social Care Council’s proposed research priorities contained within this draft strategy and to seek any other views about its working going forward.
Views are welcome on draft strategy, its aim and vision and proposed strategic priorities and to seek any other views on accessibility, equality and diversity issues.
How to respond
The following provides the background information and details you will need to know to respond to the questions in this consultation.
We would strongly advise that you respond to the consultation using the survey link provided below.
However, if this is not possible, you can email: BusinessSupport@niscc.hscni.net, to discuss the additional support you need to access and complete the survey. It is also possible to request a copy of the document in a word format.
All survey responses will be anonymised, treated in confidence and held securely until the evaluation of feedback is completed and the final version of the strategy is published.
Related content
Consultation documents are below, including a copy of the draft strategy.
Social work and social care research, evidence, innovation and improvement strategy 2026 – 2031.
Research Strategy 2026-2031 Equality Screening
Take a look at the previous strategy and implementation plan:
- Social work and social care research strategy.
- HSC Implementation Board.
- The outcomes of the previous strategy built upon the Social Work Research and Continuous Improvement Strategy launched in 2015.
Take time to look at our Research section of the Social Care Council website to find out more about what we do.