Using DEEP methodologies to support social services in Neath Port Talbot

What is the project?

Using Developing Evidence Enriched Practice (DEEP) methodologies to improve services and outcomes for people supported by Neath Port Talbot social services. 

This work encourages the use of the ‘most significant change’ and ‘community of enquiry’ methods to develop practice and inform policy.  

Most significant change is an approach to gathering and exploring change outcomes through stories, while a community of enquiry enables people to create and explore questions in response to evidence. 

Why is it being carried out?

This work builds on Neath Port Talbot’s previous partnership work with Professor Fiona Verity and Nick Andrews at the former Wales School for Social Care Research around using evidence in practice.

Most significant change is about creating space for individuals — whether they’re service users, carers, or practitioners — to share stories of change that have truly mattered to them. 

These stories aren’t just anecdotes, they’re evidence. They show what’s working, what needs to change, and how services are experienced on the ground. 

Where and when is the work taking place?

This work is mainly taking place in children’s services in Neath Port Talbot, but it’s now been extended to adult services.

Since April 2023, the team have learnt from the stories of practitioners, parents, families and children in a series of most significant change story gathering and selection panels.

Practitioners and parents have also undertaken DEEP training.

Who’s involved?

The project has the support of the local authority’s director and senior management team and has been driven by consultant social workers in Neath Port Talbot social services.  

The work has involved managers, practitioners and the people they support, including members of the Parent Advocacy Network (PAN). 

What's been learned from the project so far?

The team say that the journey through the most significant change project has been one of listening, learning and leading with heart. It’s shown them that stories are not just data, they’re catalysts for change, connection and co-production.

Stories that speak

The team have learned that stories do more than describe change — they embody it. They’ve helped them understand what matters most to the people they support and to those delivering services. They’ve sparked conversations, challenged assumptions and prompted action across safeguarding, corporate parenting and adult services.

Feedback that builds trust

Feedback forms mean panels now offer thoughtful responses to story contributors, closing the loop with a “you said, we did” approach. This has strengthened trust and accountability, and makes sure that learning leads to action, not just reflection.

Inclusion and co-production

The team have learned that most significant change thrives in inclusive spaces. They’ve seen how diverse voices enrich the process and are exploring creative ways to gather stories — through art, film and community partnerships — and making sure panels reflect the diversity of the area.

Strategic impact

Most significant change is influencing more than practice — it’s shaping policy. It’s been embedded in safeguarding reports, strategic planning, and doctoral reflections. It’s helping us to link stories with metrics, avoid bias in selection, and support key frameworks like the 12 Cs and the Quality Practice and Learning Framework.

Culture of learning

The story panels have become learning spaces, where the team pause, reflect and grow. They’ve helped them embed a culture of research-informed practice, with the success of the adult services research culture project now being replicated across the directorate.

What’s emerging

• Most significant change is becoming a shared language across teams.
• Consent and ethics are being thoughtfully addressed, with updated forms and information sheets in development.
• Panels are becoming strategic learning spaces.
• Digital tools are enhancing — not replacing — the relational work.

Looking ahead

The team are building a growing catalogue of stories across disciplines. They’re strengthening feedback loops and embedding most significant change into evaluation frameworks, and championing a research culture that values lived experience and practical wisdom.