Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Social Care Through Research in Northwest London

What do you consider to be the top challenges faced in the social care landscape in 2024? 

 To single out the top challenges is difficult, as there are so many interconnected matters to be dealt with. However, there are many positive and empowering things that happen in social care every day. Social care is a term inclusive of various areas of care and support. Thinking across the social care sector as a whole, what comes to my mind is a need for public policy, financing and social change that:

• Continues mobilising support and a positive recognition of the value of social care. When I refer to 'mobilisation of support', I'm talking about ensuring that both paid and unpaid carers are recognised, supported, and valued. For instance, unpaid carers, such as family members, often work tirelessly without adequate financial or social support. Social care reform, such as developing a National Care Service, is talked about, but action for change towards this ambition is slow in coming.  

• Addresses inequalities in care access and affordability.

• Gets behind a ‘preventative agenda’ in social care, by which I mean a focus on supporting the health, wellbeing and social connectedness of individuals and communities.

• Fundamentally realises a collective imagination for alternate care systems.

How has the social care landscape evolved in the last few years?

Many of the challenges faced across the wider social care sector have extensive historical roots. This was made plain during the COVID-19 pandemic, with impacts deeply experienced and commented upon widely.

How do you think we can make a real difference going forward? 

The project will work to increase how people engaged with social care can better use the findings from research, as well as support research developments that are relevant to the provision of social care. Research that gets to the heart of what is needed and can support insights and change, done with the people for whom it matters, and communicated to where it can influence change.

What are your key areas of focus for the next 1-2 years?

With a team and the advice of an Expert Panel, we are working with partners in an NIHR Social Care Research Capacity Building Project in North West London. This is one of many similar NIHR projects funded across the country.

 Our focus is to build on and support current activities animating social care research, and sow seeds that can strengthen research cultures and developments over time. To date, the project has funded a local authority practitioner research capacity position, begun a series of skill development events, supported social care practitioners with research ideas and in linking to current research.

 Why is social care important? Why is this project important?

 Research is part of an evidence base for social care, alongside lived experience, practitioner wisdom, and organisational knowledge that can support change and improvements.

Eleanor Roosevelt in writing of peace once said ‘It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it’. For me, these words have resonance for social care. We need to talk, believe and work at improving social care… the right research can help achieve this.