Category: Evidence-Based Practice

Research in Practice

Dear all,

New Article: What supports evidence-informed practice in social care?

Earlier this year, Research in Practice conducted a small number of focus groups to hear from professionals in a range of roles about what supports them to use evidence in their practice. 

We heard excellent examples of how professionals at all levels were supported and enabled to use Research in Practice resources to support learning and development.

In this new article, Lorna Trend shares key findings from these conversations, highlighting how the use of research and evidence can have a positive impact on practice with children, young people, families, adults, carers and communities. 

New Workshops: Artificial intelligence-enabled practice in social care

This full-day workshop is designed to:

  • Build practitioner confidence in the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence across social care;
  • Help practitioners and those supporting practice in using AI tools lawfully and responsibly for case recording and administration;
  • Focus on using AI in ways that align with professional standards, protect individual rights and dignity, and reduce the risks of ungoverned practice.

This workshop is aimed at: Frontline practitioners across Children’s and Adults social care, practice supervisors, practice leaders (including PSWs and service managers) and CPD teams.

CYPMH Evidence Based Bulletin- May

Please find the Children and Young People’s Mental Health (CYPMH) evidence based bulletin attached. We hope this helps to keep you up to date with current awareness within your department. Please feel free to share and disseminate with colleagues. Some evidence is freely available, others require an Open Athens account to access. Please get in touch with the Library team should you need any support accessing the material.

You can also find the link to this bulletin here: CYPMH Evidence Based bulletin May 2026.pdf

If you need any further help or support regarding embedding evidence into your practice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

New Practice Guide

Dear all,

New Practice Guide: Working with Autistic Parents [children & families]

This new Practice Guide outlines a neuroinclusive practice approach to working with families, rooted in the values of the neurodiversity paradigm and social justice approaches. It aims to build practitioners understanding of Autistic parenting within the framework of social care assessment, support and intervention.

The guide accompanies a Frontline Briefing that supports practitioners to enhance their understanding of autism, seeking to facilitate a shift towards more inclusive practices.

Despite greater visibility of autism, there are still many barriers faced by Autistic children, young people and their families. In a new blog, we examine key legislative and policy changes that are underway, highlighting implications for practice.  

Find out more: Improving support for Autistic parents and children | Research in Practice

CYPMH Evidence Based Bulletin

Dear all,

please find the Children and Young People’s Mental Health (CYPMH) evidence based bulletin attached. We hope this helps to keep you up to date with current awareness within your department. Please feel free to share and disseminate with colleagues. Some evidence is freely available, others require an Open Athens account to access. Please get in touch with the Library team should you need any support accessing the material.

You can also find the link to this bulletin here: CYPMH Evidence Based bulletin April 2026

If you need any further help or support regarding embedding evidence into your practice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the library team: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

CYPMH Evidence Based bulletin April 2026 by Katie Roper

Neurodiversity Bulletin

Dear all,

Welcome to the new Neurodiversity Bulletin!

To ensure that you continue to receive the appropriate bulletin(s) please complete this very brief form LD + ND Mailing lists – Fill in this form

The latest Neurodiversity Bulletin is ready for you to view at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/neurodiversity/2026/04/8-april-2026/


In this edition:

  • Sensory-processing informed autism practice for child-centred therapists
  • Literacy support in England: comparing policy and practice for children from marginalised communities
  • Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: interim report
  • Neuroinclusion – Needs and Person Centred Approaches
  • Five PBS and ABA blind spots: once you see it, you can’t unsee it
  • When a Quiz Feels Accurate… But Still Isn’t Enough
  • Plus much more

Please let us know if there are other people who you think might benefit from receiving this bulletin.

Thank you

Forensic Psychiatry

Current Awareness Bulletin

With thanks to our colleagues at Greater Manchester Mental Health, the latest forensic psychiatry bulletin can be accessed: forensic-psychiatry-january-2026pdf.pdf. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account. You can create an account here: OpenAthens | Login or get in touch wit the library team (academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk) for further support.

Forensic-Psychiatry-january-2026Download

Suicide Prevention and Self Harm Bulletin

January 2026

The latest Suicide Prevention and Self Harm bulletin from Mersey Care Evidence and Library Service can now be viewed at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/bulletins/suicide-prevention/

This webpage features key links and emerging reports about suicide prevention.

In this issue:  

  • LGB+ people in England and Wales ‘much’ more likely to die by suicide than straight people
  • Suicidal ideation among people with different gambling behaviour profiles: analysis of a longitudinal survey of people who gamble regularly in the UK
  • Visual content and thematic analyses of images shared on social media before and after episodes of self-harm in a UK clinical youth sample
  • What lies beneath hair-pulling and skin-picking behaviours? The role of early maladaptive schemas
  • Plus much more
suicide prevention Jan 2026Download

Depression and Anxiety Bulletin

January 2026

The latest Depression & Anxiety Bulletin from Mersey Care Evidence and Library Service is ready for you to view at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/depression-anxiety/2026/01/20-january-2026/

In this edition:

  • Resilience and its external determinants: cross-sectional survey and network analysis of parenting, trauma and stress in college students
  • Childhood adversities and post-traumatic stress: predictive pathways through acute stress disorder
  • Mental health impacts of sexual violence in older adults: a qualitative study
  • Is depression a cause or consequence? Using genetics to untangle causal relationships
  • Plus much more
Depression and anxiety bulletin Jan 2026Download

Dementia Bulletin

January 2026

The latest dementia bulletin from Mersey Care Evidence and Library Service has now been published at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/dementia/2026/01/19-january-2026/

In this issue:

  • Alzheimer’s finger-prick blood test could transform diagnosis, experts say
  • Suicidal Behavior in Alzheimer’s Disease: Preliminary Study
  • Increased Dementia Risk in Higher-Functioning Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights from 21,648 Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • A new psychosocial goal-setting and manualised support intervention for independence in dementia (NIDUS-Family): longer-term outcomes of a randomised controlled trial
  • Plus much more
Dementia Jan 2026Download

Evidence Informed Practice in NHS Settings

Accessing research for practitioners

Research in practice work with and for professionals within social care, health, criminal justice and higher education to offer resources, learning opportunities and expertise. Anyone with a Trust email can sign up to start accessing their resources.

Research in practice brings together: research evidence, practice wisdom, and lived experience. Turning this into practical, accessible resources and learning opportunities that fit real‑life professional needs. [researchin…ice.org.uk]

At its heart, Research in Practice is about equipping professionals with the confidence and tools to use evidence well. Take a read of how one of our colleagues reflects on the similarities and differences of working in the NHS and local authority settings:

Evidence-informed practice in NHS settings | Research in Practice