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University of York to lead research to transform adult social care following new £31m investment

University of York to lead research to transform adult social care following new £31m investment

Posted on 18 December 2024

A University of York academic has been given oversight of a £31m research budget to help transform adult social care across the country.

Professor Yvonne Birks. Image credit: Kate Moores, University of York

Professor Yvonne Birks has been appointed the new director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Social Care Research (SSCR).

The SSCR is a national collaborative initiative for research into adult social care in England. Its research aims to identify and address the big issues of the day in social care and deliver more research that is useful, timely and accessible to those responsible for delivering services and those who draw on services, supporting well-being and reducing inequalities.

It is the first time the role has gone to a figure outside of London.

Under Professor Birks’ leadership, the University of York will oversee the most significant investment in social care research ever made by the NIHR who is providing £31m funding to the SSCR over the next five years to address urgent challenges in social care.

Strong base

The SSCR is a partnership between centres of social care research excellence at member universities in England. The University of York has been a member since the SSCR was set up in 2009.

The region is also increasing its representation in the SSCR, as three other Yorkshire universities become part of the SSCR for the first time: the University of Sheffield and the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University in partnership. They will join alongside previous members the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The LSE led the SSCR for the last 15 years, building a strong base for the NIHR SSCR to develop in the future.

The School’s research covers all aspects of adult social care including end-of-life care; services for people living with physical disabilities; learning disabilities; or physical and mental ill health.

Important commitment

Professor Birks said: “In creating the SSCR, NIHR made an important commitment to social care research at a time when it was barely on the research agenda. Times have now changed, and this substantial new investment is testament to that. There is real interest in research within the sector and an acknowledgement in wider society of the need to address adult social care challenges.

“We no longer need to make the case for social care research. Now, we need to show how the investment being made can inform and improve services and support . As Director of the SSCR, my focus will be on building strong relationships with people who work in services and those who require support, as well as the research community beyond our constituent membership. We are focused on collaborations in producing and sharing our research as well as extending and building new research careers. Ultimately we want to make sure our research contributes to making people’s lives better, whether they use or work in services.”

Proven expertise

The City of York has long been identified with social reform and the University of York has a strong track record in applied health and social care research, dating back to its foundation

in the 1960s. Alongside its membership of the SSCR, the University also leads the NIHR-funded Curiosity Partnership, which brings together regional universities and local authorities to enable better understanding, use and production of research in adult social care within Yorkshire and the Humber.

Professor Matthias Ruth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of York, said: “The launch of the School at York is testament to our proven expertise in adult social care research and highlights the strength of our partnerships and collaborations. I would like to congratulate Professor Birks and her team on her new role as director of the NIHR SSCR.

“In the face of numerous urgent challenges confronting the social care sector, the launch of the School at York positions us and our partners at the forefront of developing an evidence-based approach and implementing effective solutions to address this critical societal issue. As a university committed to the public good, this initiative exemplifies how our researchers combine academic excellence with innovative thinking to positively impact lives.”

Background in nursing

Professor Birks is an NIHR Senior Investigator and formerly Associate Dean for Research for the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of York. With over 25 years of experience in health and social care research, and a professional background in nursing, her research focuses on social care for older people and particularly on those who fund their own care. She will be Director of the NIHR SSCR until May 2029.

Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR Chief Executive, said “The School for Social Care Research has been key in driving forwards social care research within the NIHR since it was established 15 years ago. In this time, the School has delivered a breadth of research which has informed national policy and practice, developed the careers of social care researchers and offered opportunities for everyone wanting to get involved in social care research. This next phase of the School will continue to build on this progress and strengthen the evidence base for adult social care, for the benefit of people who draw on care and support, carers and the workforce.”