The Centre for Child Care Research at the Queen's University of Belfast

Abstract

The Centre for Child Care Research at the Department of Social Work, The Queen's University of Belfast, was established in 1995 through a partnership between the Department of Health and Social Services, the four Health and Social Services Boards, and the Social Work Department at The Queen's University. The Centre was funded to play a key role in influencing the development of child care policy and practice in Northern Ireland, as well as to link its research to national and international levels following the introduction of major child care legislation, the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. This article examines the value of research centers in developing policies and evidence-based practice generally, but specifically focuses on the Centre for Child Care Research, its research program, organizational structures, and other activities.