research in practice is proud and excited to be working with Bedford Borough Council on an innovative evidence-informed, reflective practice project.
Spearheaded by Sika Smith, Bedford’s Head of Quality Assurance for Vulnerable Children and Children’s Social Care, the project began at the end of last year. "The consequences of poor professional judgment in social care can be impaired child development, serious harm and even death,” says Sika. “The use of robust and validated research should be part of every social work professional's development and practice tool kit - as it should be for every professional discipline with safeguarding responsibilities.”.
At the heart of the project is a group of fifteen ‘Champions’ – managers and leaders from a range of teams who are personally interested in evidence-informed practice, and keen to expand their skills in using research. "We were very pleased to secure the support of Senior Managers from across the Children's Services, Schools and Families Directorate, drawing champions from diverse disciplines,” says Sika, adding that the Champions include representatives from Commissioning, Youth Offending, the Integrated Youth Service and a health professional, alongside professionals from Children’s Social Care and Quality Assurance. “The intra-disciplinary nature of the champions network has been a great strength for shared learning, creative, reflective and analytical thinking which will stand us in good stead as we progress more integrated ways of working within the Directorate”. Bedford also recognise that it’s crucial to have support from the highest level in an organisation: Simon Westwood, the Assistant Director for Vulnerable Children and Children’s Social Care is the senior sponsor.
So far, the Champions have taken part in a series of seven short workshops on a range of topics from Safeguarding to Resilience. The Champions themselves decided on the subject areas to ensure relevancy, and the workshops were delivered by research in practice Associate, Jeanette Leech. These sessions combined the latest messages from research with a practical, hands-on approach – equipping the Champions to explore their own areas of interest in the future.
“Time and inconsistent or unclear expectations were identified as the greatest barriers to embedding the use of research in our practice,” reflects Sika. Therefore, ensuring that the project is sustainable – rather than a year-long ‘good intention’ – is vital. The approach will be embedded throughout Children and Families Social Care via the ‘Enabling Framework’. “The Framework will set out explicitly and specifically how the use of research will be enabled through time to read, reflect and analyse as part of supervision and case supervision,” says Sika. The Framework itself is underpinned by a Pledge: Bedford Borough Council have pledged to encourage, support and enable Children’s Service Workers to use research evidence on a regular and systematic basis to inform practice. Bedford will monitor the effectiveness of the Framework and Pledge, ensuring they remain relevant, particularly during this period of massive change for Social Care services.
Now that the Champions are equipped with skills and confidence in using research, the project has moved into a new phase that explicitly ties in research with everyday practice. "Monthly case clinics will be held and facilitated by a small team of Champions,” says Sika. “Practitioners will book a one hour slot to present a case with particularly complex or unique features, and the key issues will be explored through a reflective, confidential discussion incorporating research messages to inform the practitioner's decisions. Case clinics should promote a real buzz and excitement about new and innovative ways of thinking, and give motivation and energy at times when professionals may be losing hope."
In order to celebrate and publicise the work of the project so far, Bedford is holding a half-day event in May. All those working in the Children’s Services, Schools and Families Directorate will be invited. The Executive Director of Children’s Services, Schools and Families Directorate will open the event. There will also be a ‘marketplace’ of research materials for the delegates to explore. The event aims to be fun and inspirational, while getting across the importance of adopting an evidence-informed approach.
research in practice will keep its network of Partner Agencies up to date with the project, as we believe Bedford’s experiences can help others in their own initiatives. For further information, please contact Geoff Owen at
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