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A new resource to help you find, gather, share and use evidence

30 September 2024

We’re excited to launch The using evidence resource guide on our website.

In this blog Dr Gill Toms, Research and Practice Development Officer for Developing Evidence Enriched Practice (DEEP), gives some background information on the guide and explores what you can find there.

Why the guide was developed

The guide, previously hosted on the DEEP website, was created for people working in social care with funding from Welsh Government. It’s been developed to help the workforce meet the reporting requirements of the Performance Improvement Framework for Social Services.

The Performance and improvement framework supports local authorities to report their work relating to the Codes of practice issued under the Social services and well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

Who can use the guide?

The guide can be used by people working in all areas of social care who are interested in using evidence to improve their practice.

What’s in the guide?

This guide signposts to a range of peer-reviewed online resources that will help you find, gather, share, and use social care evidence.

The pages of the guide look at specific areas like policy and legislation, evaluation planning and collecting and analysing different types of data.

The resources included within the guide can help you:

  • find and think critically about existing evidence
  • plan and carry out evaluations and research 
  • share your findings effectively.

“We’re really pleased to launch the guide on our Insight Collective website. It’s such a useful and comprehensive resource that highlights our commitment to helping people find, use and share evidence to inform and improve social care in Wales.” - Lisa Trigg, Director of Transformation and Workforce Development

How can I help shape the guide?

We update the guide every six months to make sure information we signpost to is relevant and current. You can help keep the guide up-to-date and useful by giving us your feedback and letting us know if you see something you think should be included.

Written by

Dr Gill Toms

Dr Gill Toms

Research and practice development officer (DEEP)

I have a background in psychology and research. My research interests include dementia and short breaks for unpaid carers. I'm based at Bangor University and have worked in DEEP for a couple of years. 

I've really enjoyed learning more about social care from practitioners and from people who access social care services. I feel fortunate to be in a role where I can learn so much from others. Outside of work, my passion is walking in the mountains and along the coastline of North Wales. Hefyd, dwi’n mwynhau dysgu Cymraeg ond dw i eisiau gwella!