Abstract

Nick will provide an outline of the principles and techniques that have been applied in the Developing Evidence-Enriched Practice (DEEP) project work in Wales. DEEP is an appreciative, democratic, relationship-centred, narrative and dialogue-based approach to using diverse forms of knowledge in policy and practice improvement in health and social care services. Participants in one third sector project site focused on the concept of relationship-centred practice within the context of older people’s care homes. This work resulted in changes to policy and practice, enabling more humane, relational and responsive ways of working.

Bio

Nick Andrews is a trained secondary school teacher and registered Social Worker, who has worked for many years in education and social care services within local authorities and third sector organisations. He is currently working as a Research and Practice Development Officer within the School for Social Care Research, Swansea University. The School has been established to promote and support the development of evidence-enriched practice in social care (the DEEP programme) and increase the quantity and quality of social care research in Wales. Nick recently co-ordinated a Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) funded action research project to support the use of research and related contextual evidence in policy & practice development across a range of health and social care settings, drawing on research evidence from the JRF programme ‘A Better Life’: http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/developing-evidence-enriched-practice-health-and-social-care-older-people