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Social Work and Social Care: Mapping Workforce Engagement, Relevance, Experience and Interest in Research

Lambley-Burke, R; Wakefield, J; Lavender, S; Nixon, K; Hornby, S; Dobel-Ober, D; Spolander, G; Bonner, P; Campbell, P; Mallen, C

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Authors

R Lambley-Burke

J Wakefield

S Lavender

K Nixon

S Hornby

D Dobel-Ober

G Spolander

P Bonner



Abstract

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been promoted within social work/social care, with emerging evidence of benefit to practitioners and service users. Advocates argue that EBP enables practitioners to have the skills to interpret and evaluate evidence and be actively involved in research. This project aimed to evaluate awareness, experience/skills and value of research, and explore barriers to engagement with research. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken across a diverse range of social work/care staff at a large National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and partner Local Authority. The survey included both closed and an open-ended response to facilitate a mixed method analysis. In total, 208 staff responded (55 percent response) and findings show a high rating on the relevance of research to professional development (73 percent); however, a low level of actual involvement (10 percent) and low levels of confidence/knowledge across a range of research skills. Identified barriers include a lack of knowledge on where/how to begin, lack of evidence that it improves practice, the potential to threaten practice and low capacity and time. These findings highlight a potential gap between a current drive for social work/care to be more evidenced based and the ability of social work/care to enact this approach.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 7, 2021
Online Publication Date Sep 3, 2021
Publication Date 2022-06
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal The British Journal of Social Work
Print ISSN 0045-3102
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 52
Issue 4
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcab169
Keywords evidence-based practice; research; social care; social work; survey; training
Publisher URL https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance-article/doi/10.1093/bjsw/bcab169/6363621