The inaugural meeting of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s (the Social Care Council) newly established Strategic Research and Evidence Partnership took place on the 26 September 2024.
The Partnership is a committee of the Social Care Council’s board and has been established to create new links with the wider social work and social care research infrastructure both locally and nationally, seek out research funding streams, identify the types of research and evidence that will inform policy and practice, explore gaps in evidence and support the identification of strategic research and evidence priorities.
Partnership Chair, Professor Davy Hayes, Queen’s University said:
“The first meeting of the Strategic Research and Evidence Partnership was a huge success. It was notable that so many members attended and contributed fully, ensuring the future of social care and social work research is bright and is focused on achieving real impact by building evidence that informs policy and improves practice to the benefit of everyone in the community.”
In considering success factors of the Partnership, members discussed a range of factors including:
- The Partnership would be known and recognised as the key body for strategic oversight of and direction for social work and social care research in Northern Ireland.
- A 10-year strategy based on agreed strategic priorities would be developed and implemented.
- Shared opportunities for collaboration across institutions and bodies supporting social work and social care services both in NI and in a national and international context would exist.
- An accessible knowledge hub for social work and social care research and evidence would exist.
Social Care Council Board Acting Chair, Mr Gerry Guckian added:
“The development of this Partnership is a much-needed step in supporting social care and social work research across Northern Ireland, an area which is a growing at speed. I look forward to discussing the progress updates this new Partnership will bring at future Council board meetings as we work to continually innovate to inform social care and social work practice.”
Want to know more?
Information about the Social Care Council’s Board Committees and Partnerships, including minutes of meetings can be viewed on our website: https://niscc.info/committees-and-partnerships.