Our three research champions are supported through collaboration between WM ADASS and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to support the building of a research infrastructure for adult social care in the West Midlands.
The champions are employed by their council in their current practitioner role are and seconded for up to two days of their time each week.
They are working with practitioners and the care sector in the fourteen local authorities with social care responsibilities in the West Midlands region. They are working towards raising the profile of research in social care and encouraging practitioners to learn about and build capacity to undertake research.
They are also directly involved in undertaking a research project, with support from the Univeristy of Birmingham, on enablers and barriers to engagement in research among adult social care staff in the West Midlands.
Because these are new roles, champions are helping shape what they do to reflect local and sub-regional arrangements.
Follow their activity on Twitter @WMadassresearch