Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Taskforce
Social Exclusion Task Force (SETF), in partnership with Barnardo's, Research in Practice (RIP) and the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) have developed a user friendly tool to assist commissioners and service providers to select and monitor evidence based services for vulnerable people. There is a wealth of data on ‘what-works’ – both from the research community, local authorities and service providers – yet this remains largely untapped. The use of research evidence will enable commissioners and service providers to have confidence that services will work – achieving the desired impact for service users and ensuring value for money. In addition, greater transparency and objectivity can be built into the commissioning process by allowing research evidence to guide practice and decision-making.
SETF have consulted with a wide range of local authorities, service providers, and academics to develop this guidance which helps to demystify research evidence.
To support the launch of this document, SETF are also hosting two one-day training courses on using research evidence in service planning. The courses will be run by experts in the field of evidence based commissioning from Oxford-Brookes University. The course will focus on and provide practical training in the use and understanding of research evidence or ‘what-works’ and how this can inform decision making about what services to fund and how to evaluate impact. The course will be appropriate for those in adult and children's services who are interested in how research evidence can be used to improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals. The courses will be available at a cost of £60.00 per person. The courses will be held in London:
There are a limited number of places, so please contact the Task Force at setaskforce@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk. Attendance will be confirmed on the 2nd of July.