Exploring the lessons from the dissemination of research to the judiciary involved in public family law and child care proceedings The University of Sheffield / Nuffield Foundation

Abstract

This report presents the findings of an exploratory study completed in 2017 funded by the Nuffield Foundation and conducted in partnership with the Family Justice Council (FJC). The study sought to inform the Nuffield Foundation’s ‘Family Justice Research Observatory’ developments and to build on prior work commissioned by the FJC which examined aspects of the research support needs of members of the judiciary involved in public family law. The study had two main aims and themes. Firstly, the study conducted a review of the key features, strengths and shortcomings of social research dissemination mechanisms targeted at, and available to, the judiciary involved in child care proceedings. Secondly, the study conducted qualitative interviews to explore judicial perspectives and experiences in accessing, interpreting and using social research in relation to their roles in child care proceedings. Reflecting our research specialisms, the study explored these issues primarily in the context of the dissemination of lessons from child welfare and family justice research as opposed to other areas of research such as medical research. Ultimately, the study sought to identify key lessons for the Nuffield Foundation and the FJC to inform research orientated developments in family justice, public family law and child care. The review of research dissemination targeted at, and available to, the judiciary examined: (1) in-house research dissemination provided by and for the judiciary; (2) research dissemination targeted at child welfare/family justice practitioners (potentially including the judiciary) provided on an open access basis; and (3) research dissemination targeted at child welfare/family justice practitioners (potentially including the judiciary) not provided on an open access basis. Although it was beyond the scope of the study to include all relevant outlets, 50 organisations and outlets involved in research dissemination were included in the review
- 27 of which were deemed to provide ‘highly useful and significant’ research dissemination. An analytical framework was devised to review the research dissemination mechanisms and outlets in terms of source, aims and objective, affiliations, format, accessibility and availability, research content, quality indicators and research translation (discussion of frontline practice issues and implications arising from research studies and knowledge). In addition, the study conducted 14 telephone interviews with members of the judiciary and a group discussion with members of the Judicial College. In total, 18 members of the judiciary took part in the study including magistrates, district judges and circuit judges made up of representatives from six
regional family court circuits in England and Wales.