2026 marks 30 years of Research in Practice support for those working with children and families, and 21 years with adults and carers.
The social and political landscape has developed and changed significantly during this time. We have responded to changes in policy and practice, supported the implementation of new and evolving government priorities, and helped practitioners from across the country embrace the transformational effect of evidence.
We are looking back at our journey as an organisation, reflecting on 30 years of evidence-informed practice.
Setting the scene
Research work undertaken by academics is hugely valuable to practitioners. However, there was and is, a significant ‘disconnect’ between the ideas they have, the evidence they possess, and the reality on the ground. There remains also, an issue of accessibility to research – in the language, availability, and format – which limited the ease with which practitioners can use the latest evidence to improve their practice.
In September 1996, Research in Practice was established as part of the Dartington Hall Trust - for over a century the home of creative, experimental thought across social justice, the arts and sustainability. It was at Dartington that Herbert Morrison penned Let Us Face the Future, the 1945 manifesto responsible for many of the institutions we know today. That those institutions are still cause for intense debate today is a sign of how significant those proposals were. The belief that we as individuals and as a society can create new, and sometimes radical, approaches to old problems, is central to our ethos.
Research in Practice was formed as a neutral organisation, working to support evidence-informed practice, to improve the practice of social care professionals, and to work passionately for better outcomes for children, young people, families, adults and communities arose.
Responding to change
During its first year, Research in Practice grew from strength to strength, building a network of 25 local authority Partners and producing resources that bridged the gap between academia and practice. Our events, including our Link Officers’ Annual Meeting, aimed to encourage better practice, by focusing on what was practical and possible.
In 2000, the case of Victoria Climbie placed child protection at the forefront of public debate. Lord Laming wrote in his report, ‘the legislative framework is fundamentally sound – the gap is in the implementation.’ It led to the Labour government’s creation of the Every Child Matters paper which in turn led to the Children Act 2004.
The changes to Children’s Services brought in by the Act (in terms of integration of services, new roles and duties), meant Research in Practice as an organisation worked extremely hard to support our network of directors and practitioners with policy and practice changes.
In 2005, Research in practice for adults was launched. The organisation was established following a request from a network of local service agencies who wished to replicate, the services currently provided by Research in Practice for Children’s Services. The establishment of the two organisations alongside each other with a shared focus on research and evidence enabled the development of joint work on themes that cross the boundaries of Children’s and Adults Services.
The implementation of policy changes has consistently been an area where we support our Partners. At times, policies change and local authorities are expected to change, sometimes with little notice, or inadequate support. Having a third party to support with this can be invaluable, and it was a role we have fulfilled with passion over the years.
Research in Practice and Research in Practice for adults merged in 2020 with the launch of a new joint website. Recognising that people’s lives span traditional service boundaries, the united Research in Practice brand aimed to better support joined-up work between Children’s and Adults Services.
Supporting evidence-informed practice
Research in Practice has developed and changed over the years. However, our approach has always been evidence-informed, as opposed to evidence-based. This means we can approach practitioners, not as people questioning their professional judgement, but as an organisation that places a high value on their experience. The active relationship between practice and research is where the exciting stuff happens. It is where ideas can change what we do for the better, where new practices can be developed to solve recurrent problems.
That ‘place’, where research and experience collide and interact, is not always easy. We work towards removing the barriers faced by practitioners in accessing research. But at the same time, we acknowledge that increased access to, and use of, research, should not replace professional expertise or user experiences. This ‘place’ is always exciting, dynamic and it will always be the place we want to be.
In 2024, Research in Practice joined the National Children’s Bureau family. As well as increasing experience and expertise, bringing the two organisations together combines reach across the sector – including local authorities, NHS and other local organisations, and academic networks – to enhance our role as a hub and translator of ideas and innovation.
By pooling our shared understanding of complex needs with deeper insights, we are better equipped to support the increasing complexity across adults and children’s social care.
Looking ahead
Research in Practice will always be changing and ready to adapt. We learn new approaches, just as our Partners do. We have now been championing evidence-informed practice for 30 years, and the need for evidence will never go away.
Since our formation in 1996, we have been proud to support our network and the sector. Our team continues to be proud of the dedication of our Partners to enable children, young people, families, adults, carers and communities to live good lives.
