Making Research Count at the University of East Anglia
Making Research Count is a national collaborative research dissemination initiative, currently run by nine regional centres based in the Universities of East Anglia; Bedfordshire; Brighton; Keele; King's College London; Salford; The Open University; UCLAN and York.
This network of universities has a proven track record in social work and social care research as well as providing social work education at qualifying and post qualifying levels.
These nine universities work in partnership with over sixty local authorities, NHS Trusts and other agencies with a view to:
- promoting knowledge-based, research-informed practice
- improving the dissemination of research
- strengthening the research-mindedness and critical appraisal skills of social work and social care practitioners.
National Making Research Count
The National Making Research Count web site includes the series of Quality Protects Research Briefings. These were originally commissioned by the Department of Health, and subsequently continued by DfES as Every Child Matters Research and Practice Briefings. Making Research Count collaborates with Research in Practice in the production of this series.
Making Research Count at the University of East Anglia
Local Level
The regional part of the subscription to Making Research Count at UEA includes 2 days (or the equivalent in half day sessions) of events delivered individually to each agency. The programme of work to be offered is negotiated separately with each agency, and events subsequently delivered around the chosen topics. Issues addressed recently have included attachment theory, placement permanency, long-term fostering, assessment, contact after adoption and divorce, family preservation themes, services for families of minority ethnic origin, the impact of parental mental ill health on children.
Most faculty and research staff in the School have contributed to the delivery of the programme, thus providing for member agencies a breadth of knowledge and expertise.
Making Research Count (UEA) is also keen to develop and strengthen the research-mindedness and critical appraisal skills of practitioners, helping them to know where to access relevant research findings, and how to interpret and evaluate the material once found. Member agencies are encouraged to develop a evidence based practice strategy to provide for the continuing professional development of their staff, and to promote the use of research in social care and the development of a research minded culture at the organisational level.
Regional Level
UEA's partner authorities come together for an annual regional conference. In recent years this has taken place either at the University in Norwich, or at the Maltings conference centre in Ely.
The most recent event, 'Supporting Families: Messages from Research' was held in April 2007 in Ely, Cambridgeshire. Professor Jane Tunstill (formerly of UEA, and currently a visiting professor at King's College, London) spoke on her Study of Family Centres; implications for centre based services for children and families. Professor Margaret O'Brien (UEA) talked of her research on Fathers and Family Support Services, and Professor Nina Biehal, from the University of York, reported on her recent research on Working with Adolescents; supporting families and preventing breakdown. Professor June Thoburn (UEA) concluded the day with an overview of family support research and an exploration of, and reflection on, current issues. Over 90 delegates attended, from all the regional Making Research Count partner authorities, and in addition we welcomed delegates from Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Thurrock and Buckinghamshire Councils, along with colleagues from the voluntary sector.
National Level
During the course of a year some of the events put on by other regional Making Research Count programmes are opened up to delegates from any of the nine regional programmes. In recent years there have been designated national events in London, York and Warwick. These events have discussed topics including, the changing context of family support, the future of children's health services, meeting mental health needs and promoting resilience in vulnerbale children and young people.
Contact us:
Sue Bailey
Tel: 01603 593557
E-mail: s.e.bailey@uea.ac.uk
Making Research Count (University of East Anglia)
School of Social Work and Psychology
Elizabeth Fry Building
University of East Anglia
Norwich
NR4 7TJ
Fax: 01603 593552
Academic lead:
Emeritus Professor June Thoburn
E-mail: mailto:j.thoburn@uea.ac.uk
Annual subscription is £5000, please contact Sue Bailey to discuss membership benefits
Members:
Essex County Council Children and Young People's Services
Norfolk County Council Children and Young People's Services
Norfolk County Council Adult Social Services
Peterborough City Council Children and Young People's Services
Suffolk County Council Children and Young People's Services
