Evidence-informed practice

At times of change and uncertainty, evidence becomes very important to build confidence about how to put policy into practice. Although some relevant evidence exists, as it becomes the mainstream mechanism fordelivering social care, self-directed support (SDS) will bring significant new challenges and evidence needs.

This project report details the process and findings of a project to improve research use in the third sector undertaken between July 2011 - July 2012, funded by the ESRC (RES-173-27-0231).The project involved undertaking an audit of research use prior to the project, undertaking a range of activities aimed at improving research use across the organisation and evaluating the impact of these different activities.

This report details the use of research across Apex Scotland and identifies ideas about where improvements can be made. This report represents a baseline picture of research use at the beginning of a project, funded by Apex Scotland and the ESRC.

This summary describes the findings from a project to improve research use in Apex Scotland, and to share the learning with others. There are specific reflections likely to be of interest for other third sector organisations and for academics. Further details about this project, including a report about the project, can be found on the Improving research use in the third sector: Project report.

This review provides an overview of the best available evidence in relation to 'what works' in increasing the percentage of people aged 65 and over with high level care needs who are cared for at home.

This is the aim of one of the Scottish Government's 45 indicators of success in achieving national outcomes identified in the National Performance Framework.

In 2004, a new multidisciplinary children's services inspection team based in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) started to undertake inspections of child protection services in all 32 local authorities in Scotland. The authorities were inspected against 18 quality indicators on a six point scale ranging from Level 6, 'Excellent: Outstanding or Sector Leading', to Level 1, 'Major Weaknesses'.

This review provides an overview of the best available evidence in relation to 'what works' in increasing the percentage of people aged 65 and over with high level care needs who are cared for at home.

This is the aim of one of the Scottish Government's 45 indicators of success in achieving national outcomes identified in the National Performance Framework.

In 2004, a new multidisciplinary children's services inspection team based in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) started to undertake inspections of child protection services in all 32 local authorities in Scotland. The authorities were inspected against 18 quality indicators on a six point scale ranging from Level 6, 'Excellent: Outstanding or Sector Leading', to Level 1, 'Major Weaknesses'.

The Iriss has three programmes through which it delivers its work: evidence-informed practice, innovation and improvement, and knowledge media. Iriss wished to conduct research to examine attitudes, approaches, use and barriers to innovation and improvement and evidence-informed practice in the sector which could be used as a baseline for future research to track and monitor attitudinal change. The objectives of the research were to: