Partnership Board

Our work is steered by our Partnership Board. The expertise represented ensures that our work is robust, responsive, and relevant to the emerging needs of the children and adult sectors.

Our work is driven by the priorities of the Research in Practice network to ensure that our programme of learning events and resources respond to the sectors’ needs. Our work is also steered by the Partnership Board, and the expertise represented ensures that our work is robust, responsive, and relevant to the emerging needs of the children and adult sectors. 

The Partnership Board is made up of representatives from our membership network, alongside policymakers, academics and others with specific relevant expertise. 

The Partnership Board provides: 

  • High challenge and high support to Research in Practice, acting as a ‘critical friend’.

  • Strategic advice regarding our work plan, methods, development opportunities, quality assurance, and collaborations.

  • Ambassadorship and advocacy for Research in Practice.

  • A strong focus on the priorities of the sectors that Research in Practice serves.

  • Horizon scanning for opportunities and risks.

  • Facilitated connections with key stakeholders – in particular the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) 

Co-Chairs 

  • Andy Couldrick, Chief Executive, Birmingham Children’s Trust

  • Sarah McClinton, President of Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and Director of Health & Adult Services at Royal Borough of Greenwich 

The Co-Chairs hold responsibility for: 

  • National policy level activity.

  • Informing the recruitment of senior Research in Practice staff.

Partnership Board members 

  • Beverley Tarka, Director of Adults, Health and Communities, Haringey Council

  • Carole Kaplan, Transformation Programme Director, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

  • Danielle Turney, Professor, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast

  • Jane Parfrement, Chief Executive, The Staff College

  • Janet Boddy, Professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies, Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth, University of Sussex

  • Michael Clark, Research Programme Manager & Associate Professorial Research Fellow, NIHR School for Social Care Research, London School of Economics and Political Science

  • Richard Humphries, Senior Fellow, Policy, The Kings Fund

  • Sarah Jones, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Norfolk County Council

  • Dr Usha Boolaky (she/her), Deputy Director of Horizon Scanning and Demand Signalling, NHS England