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A dynamic new research centre for the social service sector!

A new research centre that works with the social service and wider not-for-profit sector to help answer the question ‘what difference are we making?’ is being launched on Thursday 11 March.

Impact Research NZ will contribute to positive outcomes in the social service sector by providing research evidence for practice, planning and policy. A particular focus is providing research into families, older people and people with disabilities.

Some of the work Impact Research will undertake involves helping social service providers demonstrate the outcomes they are achieving so they know that their services are making a positive difference in the lives of those they work with and in the wider community.

Impact Research is the result of a scoping initiative by Presbyterian Support Northern in 2009, where the need for a research and development unit was identified. The report found that:

• The large social service sector in NZ needs to increase its research and development capacity if it is to deliver high quality effective services.
• In the current economic environment it is vital for social service agencies, and those who fund them, to have solid evidence that services and programmes are effective.
• Social service agencies and funders need New Zealand based research that can be directly and quickly applied to our own social situation.

The cornerstones of Impact Research’s practice are wide collaboration within the sector and the use of participatory methods of research. In working with government agencies and non-government organisations in the sector, Impact Research will identify and contribute to addressing current issues. It will complement and support other research carried out in, for and by the sector.

Impact Research has developed a formal partnership with Massey University and also works collaboratively with other tertiary and social service sector research departments where possible. Research is rigorous and reports aim to be accessible, clear and useful to people working in the sector.

Impact Research is being officially launched at the annual not-for-profit conference being held 11-12 March, 2010 in Auckland.

For more information about Impact Research, please visit www.impactresearch.org.nz.

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