join research in practice

The Benefits of Partnership

Joining the research in practice partnership brings extensive benefits. The partnership offers targeted services at different organisational levels and easily digestible information on relevant research. It also gives access to expertise from the research community and hands-on organisational support for evidence-informed practice.

The aspiration of children’s services to develop a more holistic understanding of children and their circumstances, and for the range of disciplines and agencies to become better integrated, requires a step change in the knowledge base of the agencies and their staff. One vital aspect of this knowledge base is research evidence, alongside the understanding of how to use if effectively and legitimately. No professional, and no agency, can afford to work without such clear understandings, ones that they can articulate to the full range of stakeholders – from other professionals, through elected local councillors, to the children, young people and families themselves. This ability to understand and make responsible use of research requires committed action by agencies corporately, and by their staff individually. This can be hard to do alone, and is often most successfully achieved with external support along with the ability to share and exchange learning with other areas similarly committed to using workforce development to improve outcomes for children. research in practice can, and does, make a difference here.

The information and learning flow is not one-way: agencies in the partnership shape the services that research in practice provides. In addition, the size and scope of the network means that it can influence national policy and resources. Participation in research in practice activities contributes to the re-registration requirements for health professionals, social workers, lawyers and educationalists – all events, including Change Project work, are certified.

The distinctive contribution of research in practice

research in practice is a leader in evidence-informed practice, using carefully chosen methods in knowledge creation and transfer to help practitioners and managers understand and make effective use of research evidence. This spans evidence about the needs of children and young people to knowledge about what works to improve outcomes for them.

research in practice’s unique expertise focuses on front-line practice with children who have additional needs – that is, those who require particular attention if they are to achieve their full potential. We engage senior managers and planners, elected members and trustees, and service user organisations to help develop the organisational culture and working practices that will build the firmest of foundations for evidence-informed practice.

By bridging the gap between research and day-to-day practice in children’s services, research in practice bring the benefits of new knowledge and new thinking to the focus on improving outcomes for all children. Three aspects of the way we work ensure that what we offer is absolutely relevant to the needs of children, and those who try to help them:

• our commitment to working with the key professional disciplines involved with children with additional needs

• our clarity about the added value we bring by harnessing the enthusiasm and creativity of our Partner agencies to ‘grow your own learning’

• the real ‘ownership’ of research in practice by the ambitious agencies who are Partners in the research in practice network.

Please contact ask@rip.org.uk if you would like to discuss this further

tel: 01803 867692

five reasons why paying £12,500 for being a Partner will be good value for money

paying the fee

Change Projects programme

To view a contract for new partners

For a list of specific services