Abstract

There has been a longstanding debate about the ‘gap’ between research and social work practice. A recent NIHR / BASW roundtable event highlighted that linear models ‘which assume expert knowledge being handed down intact to passive practitioners as ‘empty vessels’ are outdated’ (BASW/NIHR, 2020)1. At a recent social care research event held in March 2022 (EMR CRN/University of Lincoln) consistent feedback from statutory social workers in attendance was that their views about research were rarely sought and that despite there being a relatively significant cultural absence of research in their practice, there was interest in developing research mindedness and active participation in shaping research and taking an active role in research.

This project aimed to develop a sustainable community of interest in research as a first step in improving the culture of research mindedness and research participation in Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) statutory social work. The community was developed to support adult care social workers to increase their engagement with research through improving their opportunities to reliably access research and develop capacity to participate in both shaping research questions, participating in its development and, ultimately, leading on research. This report describes the project and draws conclusions about the potential impact of this model for developing research-minded cultures within statutory social care organisations.