CASCADE partnership research gains national recognition

Researchers at the Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE) Partnership, a research centre funded by Health and Care Research Wales, have gained national recognition for their work through the media and in evidence to Welsh Government.

CASCADE’s evaluation of the £6.5m Social Workers in Schools (SWIS) programme in England has been identified by HM Treasury as an example of a high-quality study used to inform government spending decisions, with a recent article in the Guardian highlighting SWIS as a project the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, intends to review, with CASCADE researchers finding it not to be cost-effective.

Researchers specialising in Child Criminal Exploitation have also provided evidence to a Senedd committee inquiry. The paper by the Senedd committee has been published, acknowledging CASCADE’s research with the Complex Safeguarding Toolkit and resources and training materials developed by Dr Nina Maxwell, with Health and Care Research Wales project funding, being specifically recommended for use by professionals in social care, housing and the police. 

And a report on parental alienation, into which CASCADE researchers provided input, has been cited in BBC news coverage. This is a significant development as it will bring about changes in decisions made in family courts, ultimately affecting children’s lives.

Michael Bowdery, Joint Interim Director of Health and Care Research Wales, said:

CASCADE partnership’s work is a great example of how evidence-based research can directly influence both policy and practice. We are proud to support such impactful projects, which contribute to the advancement of social care and drive meaningful, positive change across the sector.”