Developing a culture of evidence-based practice in social work agencies in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Developing evidence-based practice has become a major policy objective in social work agencies throughout the United Kingdom. There has, however, been little empirical study of the perceptions of social work staff concerning the value of evidence-based practice in their work or about its practical development within organisations. This article contributes to the debate on evidence-based practice by reporting on an exploratory workshop for social work staff in the Southern Health and Social Services Board in Northern Ireland. The workshop aimed to identify the professional and organisational barriers to developing evidence-based practice. While highlighting the challenges staff in this social work organisation faced the findings also suggested ways in which these may be overcome. The paper explores the type of policies, structures and resources which may be required in the Southern Health and Social Services Board and by similar agencies in order to develop a culture in which evidence-based social work practice can flourish.