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The Institute believes strongly that improvements in welfare delivery
will come largely from research and evidence-based practice. That is why
we are keen to undertake and support research across a wide range of welfare-related
topics. Here are some examples:
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Research was carried out by the Institute in Somerset and Bristol
in September and October 2000 to find out what individuals participating
in the 'New Deal' programme thought of their experience.
Nearly 94 per cent of respondents said that welfare support in
the workplace would assist them and serve as a natural extension
of the support provided to them by personal advisers from the
Employment Service.
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In 1998 and 1999, the Institute of Welfare and Reed Social Care
Personnel jointly conducted three major surveys among IoW members,
as well as a cross section of welfare workers and their employers.
Together, the surveys showed that:
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The most widely provided welfare services were counselling,
assessment and advocacy.
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Only 21 per cent of welfare workers surveyed said that
stress management formed an important part of their work,
although nearly half of employers thought stress management
was a key element of workplace welfare.
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About 25 per cent of our entire membership responded to one of
the three surveys, giving us a very good overview of current thinking
and aspirations among those who have committed themselves to a career
in welfare, whether as practitioners or as academics.
We found that around a quarter of those surveyed had already been
undertaking further study since qualifying but that as many as 70
per cent expressed interest in pursuing continuing professional
development opportunities.
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