A consensus workshop to finalise the top 10 research priorities for adult social care linked data research was held on 12 March. The workshop brought together people from across the social care sector, including members of the Centre for Adult Social Care Research Lived Experience Collective, researchers, and social care professionals.
Tara Hughes, part of the research team recently visited CARE to meet with our Lived Experience Collective. She invited members to take part in the consensus workshop, because it is a crucial aim of the research work that people with lived experience of social care play a central role in shaping the research priorities.
For Tara and the research team, collaboration with people who use social care is essential: “It really brings the research process alive when you work with people with lived experience,” she said.
The workshop was a key step in a research priority setting exercise, being carried out by the Administrative Data Research (ADR) Wales Social Care team. To identify the most important areas faced by the social care sector that can be explored using linked data.
Alice Butler, CARE Public & Professional Involvement Worker, said of the experience:
“Working with Social Care Wales on the Priority Setting Workshop for Linked Data Research has been a fantastic experience. Five Lived Experience Collective members took part in Social Care Wales’ priority setting workshop, which was thoughtfully designed to bring together individuals with lived experience, professionals, and practitioners to shape linked data research priorities in Wales. It is a privilege for CARE and the Lived Experience Collective to contribute to work like this and to collaborate with Social Care Wales in shaping the future of linked data research in adult social care. We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership.”
CARE Lived Experience Collective member, and workshop participant, Mal O’Donnell, said:
“I really felt it was a success, especially with the format being able to vote at the end of the discussions, I really felt we were achieving something and by being given the opportunity to listen to one another’s point of view, in smaller breakout groups it really was refreshing.”
Social Care Wales is leading the Administrative Data Research (ADR) Wales Social Care team to communicate and promote the benefits of linked data research within the adult social care sector.
Within this research priority setting exercise, the research team has worked closely with people across the social care sector, including social care professionals, researchers, policymakers, and people with lived experience. They used various methods of engagement to find out what different groups have to say about research priorities for linked data research on adult social care. With a focus on what adult social care people in Wales need now and in the future.
You can find out more about the top 10 research priorities setting exercise here: Top 10 research priorities: linked data research in adult social care
For further information, or to get in touch with the Social Care Wales research team, contact: research@socialcare.wales
