Research support
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ADASS is committed to encouraging and supporting high quality, timely, adult social care research. Good research makes things better for people who draw on, and work in, care and support.
Historically, ADASS has offered an approvals process through which research proposals would be reviewed. Lists of projects approved through this process are available below. Going forward, ADASS will offer a more flexible review and support offer to researchers, while at the same time engaging more creatively with regions and academic partners to influence priorities and support capacity building.
More details on our work programme will be available in the coming months. If you would like to know more, please contact paul.buddery@adass.org.uk
Adult social care research top tips
ADASS believes that research can lead to better care and support and better lives. ADASS believes that it is most likely to do so when research is with adult social care, rather than into adult social care. By working collaboratively, we can ensure that research questions are relevant, methods are practical, and findings have real-world impact for people drawing on care and support.
One of the roles of the ADASS Research Group is to encourage strong learning relationships between our members, academics and other researchers.
To support this, the group has developed a set of top tips to help and encourage researchers engage fruitfully with local authorities and avoid possible misunderstandings.
Research terms you need to know
Research language can sometimes feel like a barrier. This glossary explains some of the key terms you are likely to encounter, from action research and bias to systematic reviews and research ethics, to help you engage with research more confidently. Links to more comprehensive external glossaries are also included.
Academic Research (Universities)
Universities undertake foundational, theoretical and applied research relevant to adult social care policy, practice and outcomes.
Key academic strengths include research on adult social care funding and reform, workforce supply and retention, commissioning and markets, integration with health services, inequalities and outcomes for people who draw on care and support. Free-to-access research publications, summaries and evidence is available from the centres below and the NIHR journals library.
Relevant academic social care research centres include:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR)
- Centre for Care, University of Sheffield
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC), London School of Economics and Political Science
- IMPACT, University of Birmingham
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The NIHR is the major public funder of applied health and care research in England and plays a central role in building the evidence base for adult social care. NIHR-funded research focuses on improving outcomes, service quality and system effectiveness, with a strong emphasis on real-world application.
Key NIHR social care infrastructure includes:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR) – the flagship national centre for adult social care research, producing policy-relevant studies for local and national decision-makers
- NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) – regionally based partnerships working with local authorities, providers and communities on applied research and evaluation
- NIHR Policy Research Units (PRUs) – PRUs provide timely, independent research and analysis to support policy development in the Department of Health and Social Care and across government. Several PRUs are directly relevant to adult social care, including those focused on social care, ageing, health and social care systems, and inequalities.
- NIHR Evidence Synthesis Groups and Centres – produce rapid and systematic evidence reviews to inform policy and decision-making. Their work supports adult social care by summarising what is known about effective interventions, service models and system approaches, drawing on both academic and practice-based evidence.
- NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) Specialist Centre for Social Care – supporting councils and partners to develop high-quality research proposals
NIHR also funds and supports local authority-led research and building research capacity within local government through schemes such as pre and post-doctoral fellowships.
Independent Research Organisations (IROs) & Think Tanks
Independent research organisations and think tanks focus on applied, policy-relevant analysis to support improvement across adult social care and health systems. Their work is designed to inform decision-makers in national and local government and to support system leadership.
Key organisations include:
- The King’s Fund – system analysis, integration, workforce and social care reform
- Research in Practice – supporting evidence-informed practice with children and families, young people and adults
- Insight Collective, Social Care Wales
- Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) – evidence, best practice and improvement support
Outputs typically include long-form reports, rapid evidence reviews, policy briefings, and accessible explainers aimed at shaping policy and practice.
Charities & Foundations
Charities and foundations play a significant role in funding and conducting research that influences adult social care policy and practice. These organisations often focus on inequalities, outcomes, innovation and system change.
Key funders and producers of research include:
- The Health Foundation
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Wellcome Trust
- Age UK
- Carers UK
Public Sector Research Establishments and Data Sources
Public sector bodies provide essential data, analysis and commissioned research to support policy development, regulation and oversight of adult social care.
Key organisations and data sources include:
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) – population, workforce and demographic data
- Catalogue of Social Care Data (CASCID) – social care datasets gathered in one site
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) – provider-level data, market oversight and quality assessments
- Skills for Care – workforce intelligence and analysis
These sources underpin much of the evidence used by councils and national policymakers.
Industry & Commercial Research
Industry partners, including care providers, consultancies and care technology companies, conduct research and evaluations related to service delivery models, digital and assistive technology, workforce solutions and market sustainability. This work is often undertaken in partnership with local authorities, the NHS or academic institutions.
ADASS Research Group blogs
Launching the ADASS Research Group: Influencing the future of social care
We can all agree social care is complex. But does that help?
Why keeping care homes open matters: lessons from Covid-19 for local authorities and care providers
‘Big R – small r’: developing a more inclusive way to talk about research
