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Using research to support policy and practice

This page outlines the importance of accessible, coordinated research, sets out how this can be used to underpin policy and practice, and calls for a national learning disability research strategy

All of the actions in the co-produced, lifelong action plan are based on experience and evidence. You can find links to the research that supports and has informed these actions throughout the plan – but there is still a gap between research, policy, and practice.

 

What problems does learning disability research have?

While there is a large amount of research out there, there is not a coordinated strategy for conducting research, and for disseminating the findings – including using these findings to shape policy and practice. When there is a divide between research in academia and the people developing policy and practice, these policies and practices are not being informed by the things that research shows can help.

Alongside this, research is too often inaccessible to the people who might benefit most from it – people with learning disabilities and their families. The CBF is currently working on a project to help family carers access cutting-edge research in a way that works for them. As part of this, we surveyed family carers to find out what they think about research – and what they think is needed.

 

What have families told us about research? 1. The research industry is completely inaccessible to families, 2. Key areas that families need to know more about, such as transition, don’t seem to receive enough attention, 3. Research needs to be better communicated and presented. Two quotes from family carers: 1. we need evidence of what works to enable our son's needs to be met and for him to have a good life, and for that evidence to be used by those supporting him. 2. we need to look at how we can hold on to research findings - the findings already exist so we don't need to reinvent the wheel!

What is needed to ensure that research is used as the basis for policy and practice?

We are calling for a coordinated learning disability research strategy across health, social care and education. A similar strategy for autism already exists – but while this is an NHS-only strategy, we think that having a coordinated strategy across health, social care and education will increase the benefits and improve working between these interlinked sectors.

Having a learning disability research strategy would improve the ability of policy makers to base their policies on the best available evidence, and would help researchers to know that the research that they are doing has tangible results. It could also be used to ensure that research is made more accessible – both in terms of people being able to access it, but also in how it is presented.

There are several questions that a national, coordinated learning disability strategy would be able to answer:

  • How can we ensure a clear and comprehensive picture of the current evidence base?
  • How do we identify the evidence gaps, and, once identified, how do we best address these?
  • How do researchers know what evidence is needed “on the ground” by families and providers?
  • What action is needed to improve the availability and accessibility of relevant evidence to inform policy and practice?
  • How can we use evidence to change practice to ensure positive outcomes for individuals?
  • How can we address practices that are not based on evidence and are harmful?