Enhancing Research Capacity in Adult Social Care in the East of England: testing the feasibility of Research in Practice Teams (The SCRiPT study)

Background: The NIHR has a remit to develop the evidence base to inform and improve adult social care practice in England by commissioning and conducting internationally leading research. However, there are too few social care staff with research skills, and the infrastructure to support research in social care settings is lacking. Research capacity development is complicated as Adult Social Care is delivered though a highly devolved model and by a wide range of providers.

There is a need for sustainable and targeted models that have the potential to develop research capacity in individuals and build supportive research cultures within organisations.

Aims & objectives: The overall aim is to establish teams of researchers and social care practitioners (Research in Practice Teams) and Researcher-in-residence post and evaluate if these models can mobilise research learning and promote the conduct of research that reflects the priorities and challenges of the populations they serve.

Design: Mixed method study using a four-site case study approach that draws on theories of Communities of Practice.

Methods: The project will be conducted over 43 months (May 2021 to December 2024) in two counties in the East of England (Hertfordshire and Norfolk). It will involve five work packages (WP).

• WP1 focuses on the development of four Research in Practice teams (RiPTs) grouped around an area of shared interest. Each RiPT will involve 6-7 members of differing levels of experience and seniority. Teams will be funded for two years to develop and implement a way of working that will support research knowledge and use. The Leads in these teams have a further 6 months at one day/week to enhance dissemination and plan their next steps in research.

• WP2 focuses on the provision of tailored training for members of the RiPTs designed to support their development as research competent professionals. This draws on resources from the University of Hertfordshire, the University of East Anglia, the East of England ARC and NIHR Clinical Research Network Eastern.

• WP3 focuses on the development and delivery of research projects that reflect local priorities and build research skills and capacity in members of the RiPTs. The Community of Practice approach will foster collaborative learning and knowledge sharing with active participation in research creating the opportunity for ‘learning through doing’.

• WP4 focuses on evaluating the feasibility and impact of the RiPT model. Data will be collected to assess whether RiPTs have an impact on RiPT members research knowledge or involvement in research, create a vehicle for learning and knowledge exchange, and lead to locally relevant research being conducted. In addition, we will document the resources involved in delivering the RiPT model.

• WP5 in an additional element to the project added in 2023. It is a Researcher-in-residence post. This is a twelve-month academic post where the role holder is located in one of our partner Local Authorities in their ASC Practice and Quality Team. This post is designed to add another dimension to social care capacity building by building research mindedness and an infrastructure for research within the Local Authority.

Anticipated impact and dissemination:

To create short and long term impact we will: 1) ensure the participation of relevant stakeholders (including experts by experience); 2) disseminate findings in a variety of formats, including those that are accessible to non-academic audiences; 3) provide access to a tested model for building capacity within the sector to evaluate improvements and innovations in social care; 4) generate a legacy of awareness raising amongst beneficiaries of how to develop, conduct and use research and 5) create sustainable partnerships between researchers, adult social care providers and research networks (e.g. ARC, CRN).

Social care practitioners and RiPTs will be actively involved in dissemination. Involvement with local, national and international networks will underpin the relevance and reach of the work.