Keeping you informed in 2025

Look back over the most popular Research in Practice campaigns of 2025 on topics such as reflective supervision, attachment theory and anti-racist practice. 

Our programme of evidence-informed resources share the latest research and information. These have included: 

Practice supervisors play a key role in supporting practitioners to critically reflect on their practice in supervision. 

Our open access Reflective supervision: Learning Hub aims support practice supervisors to develop a positive culture of supervision. It contains practical ideas and tips, learning from research and ideas about how to put learning into practice in supervision. 

Intervision is one of the main models of group supervision. Georgina Chetwynd outlines the process and how it is used in Research in Practice in a blog. 

Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion 

Understanding identity and race allows us to provide more equitable social care practice. 

A series of open access videos explore experiences of Black social workers through narrative. They allow us to reflect on our identities and what this means for our roles in practice. The videos are accompanied by resources that introduce a template designed to enable critical reflection on how discrimination, oppression and racism manifests in social work and beyond.

Without understanding how our systems have been built, we cannot fully comprehend how systems leaders must tackle racism, oppression, and discrimination. In a two-part podcast, Dez Holmes talks to Meera Spillett about how our systems leadership could and should eradicate inequalities. A supporting blog explores why intersectionality is vital to anti-discriminatory practice.

Additional Research in Practice resources explore the law in relation to disabled children's social care and supporting children and young people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Attachment theory, childhood development and pre-birth services

The premise of attachment theory is that as children grow, their development is influenced by their experiences, particularly with primary caregivers and other important people in their life.

A briefing and accompanying videos discuss developments in attachment theory. The resources are designed for practitioners who work with children and their parents or carers.

Mentalisation is an important part of considering attachment. A briefing introduces mentalising theory and contains practical guidance for professionals working with both adults and children.

Supporting blogs explore the eight core concepts of attachment theory and how social care practitioners can use this approach in practice with children and families. 

Additional Research in Practice resources explore understanding fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, maternal mental health, and supporting pre-birth services.

Reflecting on ten years of the Care Act

The Care Act 2014 was a landmark piece of legislation intended to change adult social care. It consolidated existing law relating to adults with care needs, emphasised the importance of well-being and addressed the support needs of carers for the first time. However, despite these ambitions, it has faced several obstacles in its implementation.

Philip Anderson, Strategic Director for External Affairs at the National Children's Bureau and Gerry Nosowska, former chair of the British Association of Social Workers, discuss its development, delivery and unrealised potential in a podcast. Phillip reflects on his involvement with the creation of the act and shares his thoughts on its ambitions in an accompanying blog. 

At the 2025 Research in Practice adults Partnership Conference, we heard from a diverse range of professionals who played a role in implementing that change. We hear some of those perspectives in a series of videos and a supporting blog. 

Supporting communication with children, young people and families

Working with children, young people and families can be one of the most rewarding parts of social work. However, we need to recognise the power practitioners’ hold and use it responsibly and ethically. 

An open access online resource outlines how a different perspective on the role of social worker might liberate practitioners to better support the people they are working with. Each section looks at a different part of social work and explores how we can make effective changes to practice. 

Developing communication skills can also improve the quality of everyday interactions and outcomes. A Practice Guide and video aims to develop child-centred communication and support practitioners who need to talk to children about difficult issues. In a two-part podcast, Richard Devine and Donald Forrester explore how we can build collaborative, purposeful and productive relationships with parents in children’s social care. 

Additional Research in Practice resources explore collaborative working with care experienced children and young people.

Good decision-making, mental capacity and wellbeing

The decisions made by those working in adult social care daily directly impact people’s lives. However, decision-making is complex, nuanced, and often presents dilemmas. 

A suite of updated resources aims to support practitioners working with adults and carers who draw on care and support, to improve their judgements and decision-making so that experiences and outcomes are better for people who draw on social care. Supporting blogs introduce the resources and explore how good decision-making can promote equity, wellbeing and rights.

A podcast features conversations with experts and individuals with lived experience about good decisions in practice. 

Additional Research in Practice resources explore navigating complex mental capacity decisions and supporting the health and wellbeing of older carers.