Research and evaluation services
Providing expertise and support to service providers to enable monitoring of impact, quality and value.
Working with professionals in the social care, health, criminal justice and higher education sectors; our partnerships include government departments, local and national organisations, local authorities, charities, universities and third sector organisations. Projects involve children and young people, families, adults and carers, and professionals across the social care sector, with research services conducted in local communities, alongside service providers and in prison settings. Our expertise and knowledge in this area ensures that we can inform policy and practice, supporting evidence-informed decision-making.
We have extensive experience in leading research and complex programmes, and a proven track record in effective quality assurance, project and contract management.
Research
Informing national policy and supporting practice development, we design and conduct robust research that combines the experiences of children and young people, and adults who use services, with practice expertise and academic knowledge.
Research collaboration
Our research team welcome the opportunity to collaborate on research and evaluation projects that drive real change and we can support you with your research project.
Alternatively we can support the development of your internal research capacity by designing and delivering research methods workshops, focused on your key priorities, specific objectives and requirements. Find out more about opportunities available by exploring Learning and development.
Explore our work
Understanding the emerging use of artificial intel...
Social Work England commissioned Research in Practice to explore the emerging use of AI in social work educati...
'From trait to state': how Ofsted might consider c...
Delivering research for the Conceptualising vulnerability for inspection and regulation project for Ofsted. Fo...
Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews – Learning Sup...
Exploring how high-quality learning can be gained from serious incidents to better protect children and young ...
Improving outcomes for children and young people i...
Research has found the use of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction, once seen as a last resort, had become t...
Evaluations
Supporting providers in understanding the impact that their services are having to inform better practice.
Working independently or in collaboration with a wider partnership, we provide evaluation services and expertise that guides strategic development and drives informed decision‑making. We can:
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Design and conduct an independent your evaluation delivering meaningful and actionable insights.
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Offer analysis and interpretation of service level or administrative data.
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Develop a theory of change or monitoring and evaluation framework.
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Create tailored tools to support long-term monitoring of your impact.
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Provide bespoke support and consultancy as you design and undertake your own evaluations.
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Support the development of your internal research capacity by designing and delivering bespoke research methods workshops.
Explore our work
The following projects provide an insight into how our services were used to support specific programmes of work. Consider how our services could assist planning your own evaluation.
Deprivation of Liberty
'Improving outcomes for children and young people in complex situations with multiple needs, at risk or subject to a Deprivation of Liberty'. Commissioned by the Department for Education, a project that reports on findings from research completed by Research in Practice and the National Children’s Bureau.
The 'Wakefield Families Together' journey
A programme that aims to transform Wakefield's Children's Services under the banner of Wakefield Families Together, through collaboration and integration.
Evaluation Reports and Evidence Reviews
Take a look through our diverse portfolio to find out more about the services undertaken by Research in Practice and directly access the evaluation reports/evidence reports.
Design and planning
Our expert team of sector and research specialists will work collaboratively with you to;
- understand your requirements
- design and plan an evaluation or research project and refine your research questions.
Our specialists will tailor activities tailored to your context and;
- develop appropriate and robust research methodology
- designing desk or field based research.
Our expertise spans a wide range of methods, including;
- rapid evidence reviews
- qualitative and mixed‑methods primary research, and
- participatory approaches that meaningfully involve those with lived and professional experience.
Support and delivery
Alongside our research and sector professionals, our dedicated project management team oversees all aspects of delivery. We take a collaborative and transparent approach, with regular online project meetings throughout the project life-cycle to ensure strong communication and shared understanding. Ethical practice is central to our work. We embed participatory and equitable principles in every stage of a project.
Findings and recommendations
We draw on the collective insight of our research specialists and sector experts to analyse data and develop findings that are;
- clearly framed,
- evidence‑informed, and
- tailored to your organisational needs.
Our recommendations are practical and actionable, supporting you to apply learning in your setting.