Summary of the impact

Social work is about making a positive difference to the most vulnerable in society. Since 2008 Bournemouth University's (BU) research-based continuing professional development (CPD) programmes have improved practice for 6,170 health and social care professionals. During this period CPD has taken place in 28 NHS Trusts, 96 Local Authorities and 39 independent, voluntary and private sector organisations. Nurses, social workers, managers and educators have all developed professionally from the self-reflective approach, demonstrating increased confidence and improved management abilities. Evaluations of the effectiveness of post-qualifying social work education are scarce. BU's evaluative method has confirmed the value of this CPD and its impact on the practice of individual health and social care professionals and their organisations.

Summary of the impact

Our research has had a direct influence on policy makers', commissioners' and practitioners' understanding of the value of peer led self-help groups and the potential of citizen/service user researchers for driving service improvements grounded in lived experience. That impact is reflected in:

• national and local guidelines
• national and local training initiatives
• the sustained commissioning of two service user/citizen research groups and related service improvements
• increased social capital and skills for the citizens involved.

Summary of the impact

Research within the UoA influenced national policy developments, implementation, and practice guidelines regarding protecting/supporting vulnerable adults. The Unit's research, led by Professor Hogg, was used in the development of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 which now guides practice with all vulnerable adults in Scotland. The Unit's research was used to develop a multi-agency Adult Support and Protection (ASP) self-evaluation methodology and toolkit. Over 50% of adult protection committees in Scotland have adopted its use. The Unit's research has led to the development of a national strategy and practice guidelines to ensure all vulnerable adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties in Scotland have a right to appropriate health care provision, including invasive procedures.

Summary of the impact

This case study reports three inter-related impacts from Peter Clegg's research at UWE, Bristol. Firstly, his research has helped to shape the reform programme and the return to self-government in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Secondly, it has helped to frame the United Nations Decolonisation Committee's views on how best to implement the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. Thirdly, it has assisted the UK Overseas Territories governments to create an enabling environment for the protection and promotion of the human rights and dignity of People Living with HIV. It has done so by ensuring that these governments' laws and policies facilitate HIV prevention, care, treatment and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Summary of the impact

Primary research with people with multiple sclerosis and their carers, led by Brunel, has had positive impacts on service user and government organisations internationally; research has improved practice in relation to the nature and effect of self-management strategies of people with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as enhancing therapy for the condition and raising awareness of the needs of carers. The research has shaped evidence-based guidelines, consensus papers, reports and policies, which have in turn enhanced the effectiveness of professional practice and service delivery. Through developing the evidence base and sharing best practice the research has resulted in improved health and welfare benefits for people with multiple sclerosis and their carers.

Summary of the impact

The importance of person-centred social support has been recognised by successive governments as central to the development of effective and supportive social care services. The research led by Brunel and funded by the DoH and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, made a substantial contribution to the enhancement of UK social care policy and practice in relation to the personalisation agenda. Parliamentary committees and policy consultation used the research to develop new social care policy. Standards of service care delivery were developed and implemented in partnership with service users; these were adopted at a policy and practice level. The development and use of evidence based practice guides, training programmes and web resources facilitated the successful adoption and implementation of person-centred support nationwide. In summary, public debate was influenced, equality and empowerment for service users was advanced, national policy and practice enhanced, health and welfare improved and economic impacts achieved.

Summary of the impact

In a period of national questioning of social work quality, Sussex research has significantly influenced the curricula content of and entry standards for social work education (SWE). New guidelines set admissions standards for all English social work courses, resulting in better quality candidates. Law teaching has been shaped by a new curriculum guide based on our research, as well as the development of prize-winning educational resources. Social workers feel better equipped to communicate with children through contributions to new curricula requirements, textbooks to improve teaching, and direct influence — via Continuing Professional Development — on the quality of communications.

Summary of the impact

The research addressed the lack of insight from research, policy and practice in relation to adolescents who are neglected within families. Findings have informed policy development at a national level, and were the basis of a guide to good practice, published and circulated widely by the (then) Department for Children Schools and Families ((DCSF), now the Department for Education (DfE)), and a guide for young people to increase their awareness of neglect, published and circulated by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). At a local level, researchers worked intensively over 18 months with the whole senior management tier from Children's Services in one local authority to enable understanding and refocusing so that adolescent neglect becomes a legitimate part of practice. Managers went on to enable the shift in practice with their teams, and adolescent neglect has been included in revised safeguarding screening tools approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

Summary of the impact

A major element of modernising English adult social care is the introduction of individual, user-directed budgets. The Social Policy Research Unit (SPRU) led a major, multi-method and multi-centre research programme evaluating the Individual Budget (IB) pilot projects in England; and a linked study of the impact of IBs on family carers. Through this, SPRU has influenced: the content of the Department of Health's (DH) good practice guidance for personal budgets; the DH's approach to piloting and evaluating NHS Personal Health Budgets; the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) piloting and evaluation of `Right to Control' trailblazer projects; and, the agenda for an Audit Commission investigation into financial management of personal budgets. Most importantly, it has helped shape the agenda for national and local organisations striving to successfully implement personal budgets, particularly for older people.

Summary of the impact

This research into what is believed to be one of the largest care home closures programmes in Europe had three key impacts in terms of:

• Helping to design the initial closure process at local level
• Evaluating outcomes of the subsequent closures to ensure that local policy and practice were safe (for frail older people in potentially very vulnerable situations)
• Producing national guidance for all English Councils on managing care home closures and contributing to local/national planning and a change in public opinion regarding care home closure in the wake of the Southern Cross scandal.