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• read more about Round two of our Spark Grant Scheme: Building capacity in children’s social care research
  Blog

  Round two of our Spark Grant Scheme: Building capacity in children’s social care research

  20 April 2023

  Our Spark Grant Scheme aims to fund new research in children’s social care, conducted by researchers who may struggle to secure funding through other routes, particularly Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and/or researchers from underrepresented, minoritised groups. The mission Building on the success of the first round of our Spark Grant Scheme, we are pleased to […]

  
• read more about Navigating power dynamics in peer research
  Blog

  Navigating power dynamics in peer research

  18 April 2023

  The following blog was written by Lily-Rose Sharry, a peer researcher working on our Care Leavers’ Emotional Wellbeing (CLEW) project. Through exploratory research, this project aims to improve understanding of the help that local authorities provide to care leavers to support their emotional wellbeing. As a part of this, we have carried out a qualitative […]

  
• read more about The Pine Progression Fund: taking the next steps through the evaluation pipeline 
  Blog

  The Pine Progression Fund: taking the next steps through the evaluation pipeline 

  12 April 2023

  Following the success of our PINE programme, we're excited to launch the Pine Progression Fund. Pippa Milligan introduces the new programme and the three organisations taking part.

  
• read more about Social Workers in Schools: why we are not recommending investment
  Blog

  Social Workers in Schools: why we are not recommending investment

  30 March 2023

  Donna Molloy, Director of Policy & Practice, unpacks the findings from our Randomised Control Trial (RCT) into the Social Workers in Schools intervention and our recommendations for policy and practice.

  
• read more about What works locally: going forward as the evidence partner on the Reducing Parental Conflict Programme 
  News

  What works locally: going forward as the evidence partner on the Reducing Parental Conflict Programme 

  3 March 2023

  This news piece was written by Ben Lewing, Assistant Director, Policy and Practice at What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care. We heard recently that What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care has been selected as the evidence partner for the national Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) Programme for the next two years. […]

  
• read more about Learning together about how best to support children and families affected by, or at risk of, domestic abuse
  Blog

  Learning together about how best to support children and families affected by, or at risk of, domestic abuse

  9 February 2023

  This blog was written by David Rodriguez, Research Associate and Jonathon Blackburn, Head of Impact and Evaluation at What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care. Domestic abuse is harmful to children, is too prevalent and available support is patchy We all know that domestic abuse is incredibly harmful to children. Evidence shows that domestic […]
• read more about How can we best support care leavers’ emotional wellbeing?
  Blog

  How can we best support care leavers’ emotional wellbeing?

  6 February 2023

  Research Assistant Lys Eden shares her reflections on our Care Leavers Emotional Wellbeing project, discussing the benefits of working with peer researchers.

  
• read more about An opportunity for change – reflecting on the Care Review Implementation Plan
  Blog

  An opportunity for change – reflecting on the Care Review Implementation Plan

  2 February 2023

  Today the government has published its implementation plan in response to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. We know that many frontline workers and decision makers in the sector will welcome some of the ambitious changes included, and be disappointed that some of the recommendations are not immediately being taken forward – and that […]
• read more about Understanding Local Safeguarding Partners’ annual reports
  Blog

  Understanding Local Safeguarding Partners’ annual reports

  16 December 2022

  This blog was written by Annie Hudson, Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel The new national safeguarding arrangements were established just over four years ago. Yet there can be no doubt that the multi-agency landscape is being transformed and that many significant changes are taking place in how we work, lead and learn […]

  
• read more about Creative Life Story Work
  Blog

  Creative Life Story Work

  8 December 2022

  Sarah Taylor, Group Head of Impact and Evaluation at Coram, and Principal Investigator on the evaluation, and Jenny Young, Director of Blue Cabin, reflect on the evaluation of Creative Life Story Work. Sarah Taylor shares her thoughts on the evaluation. All About Me creative experiences were delivered to looked after children and young people in […]

  
• read more about Reflecting on the Thriving Babies: Confident Parents programme
  Blog

  Reflecting on the Thriving Babies: Confident Parents programme

  2 December 2022

  Julie Heslop, Strategic Head of Early Help at Manchester City Council, explores the key features and lessons learnt throughout the delivery of the Thriving Babies: Confident Parents programme.

  
• read more about Social worker insight on Mother and Baby Unit case review
  Blog

  Social worker insight on Mother and Baby Unit case review

  29 November 2022

  Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) in prison are a vital resource, with the capacity to support women to care for their children up to the age of eighteen months. In my seventeen years in front-line Child Protection Social Work, I have worked closely with mothers in prison, undertaking pre-birth assessments, supporting women in obtaining places […]