The Evidence into Practice Special Interest Group (EiPSIG) of the European Social Work Research Association was founded in April 2020. The following provisional statements were created through the development of the SIG Proposal (involving 22 founder members) and ratified at meetings held as part of the April 2021 ECSWR (held online due to pandemic lockdown restrictions, with three meetings to facilitate attendance across time zones). These statements are subject to review at the Annual Coordination Meeting held as part of each ECSWR.
The Aim of EiPSIG
The aim of the Evidence into Practice Special Interest Group is to research and support the effective use of knowledge to inform practice, management, policy, regulation and teaching in the social work profession and social care services for the ultimate benefit of clients, families, communities and societies.
The Purpose of EiPSIG is to provide a forum for members to:
The Objectives of EiPSIG
In relation to identifying, appraising and synthesising knowledge and translating it into practice, teaching, service management, policy and regulation in social work:
The Annual Coordination Meeting of EiPSIG takes place at the annual European Conference on Social Work Research (ECSWR). EiPSIG has a web presence as part of the ESWRA website and has a dedicated email address to facilitate communications: EiPSIG@hscni.net Members of the group are encouraged to collaborate in joint presentations at ECSWRs, joint research grants and joint publications. EiPSIG runs a Pre-Conference Event at each ECSWR, and supports members in collaborating in putting on Symposia, Workshops, Oral Presentations and Posters.
Founder Convenors
Anne McGlade, Social Care Research Lead, Health & Social Care Board for Northern Ireland EiPSIG@hscni.net
Brian Taylor, retired Professor of Social Work, Ulster University and former ESWRA Board Member
If you wish to join EiPSIG and be added to the mailing list please email Anne at EiPSIG@hscni.net
Evidence into Practice Special Interest Group Pre- conference meeting
Date Wednesday 12th March 2025
As part of the 14th European Conference for Social Work Research, 2025, will take place in Katholische Stiftungshochschule, München, Germany
Getting Evidence into practice: some small practical steps
9.30 -11.00 First Presentation
Supporting social work practitioners and those with lived experience, through training to use evidence to practice
Delivered by Anne McGlade Social Care Research Lead (Northern Ireland Social Care Council) and Brian Taylor Professor Emeritus (Ulster University Northern Ireland).
This presentation will draw on our experience in Northern Ireland with an outline the development post qualifying research methods course we believe we have built a strong foundation for research and evidence within social work and social care. A foundation that has sustained and is recognised as contributing to a new and invigorated strategic agenda.
The three components of the training programme will be briefly described and in particular how these helped generate necessary research skills and generated a curiosity that has enabled a longer lasting appetite for research and evidence amongst experienced practitioners and those with lived experience. Moving from the specifics of the course we will explore how practitioners and those with lived experience were supported to take small, accountable steps forward within the context of their own role - as part of module three or later in their career in influencing practice [including for example management, commissioning and policy, , which for context was part of the research-evidence strategic developments and the Research Methods MSc
It is intended that this presentation will spark discussion amongst others highlighting other practical examples and strategies and their experiences of getting research into practice.
Second presentation
Can standardized screening tools be introduced in routine social work practice to increase equity and effectiveness in assessments?
The story (so far) of project STAR in Denmark Delivered by Kresta M. Sørensen Associate Professor, PhD in Social Work) Siddhartha Baviskar PhD in Social Work (University College Copenhagen)) & Professor Svein Arild Vis (UIT The Artic University of Norway).
Drawing on a recent study commenced in August 2024. The project focuses on children and young people from the age of 11-17 who has been referred to the social services. The project answers the following research question: Is it feasible to introduce validated screening tools into the assessment of referrals and can their use contribute to more equitable and effective assessments of referrals in child welfare - to benefit children and their families?
This question will be answered in three steps drawing on international guidelines for complex interventions. We use a mixed methods approach to develop and pilot test the use of screening tools in cooperation with practice. The short-term outcome of the project is a validated screening tool adapted to practice. The long-term outcome of the project is increased consistency in decision-making (less variation) among social workers and greater chances for appropriate interventions for children and families in need.
Feedback has been obtained from practitioners, adolescents and parents Based on this feedback we will try out different screening tools from these different screening tools in a more a sensitive approach where we supplement the testing of tools with interviews on how the screening work with and without the use of tools.
Followed by:
11.00-11.30am Coffee and networking
11.30 -12,30pm Business agenda
