The CASCADE Partnership is delighted to announce a significant funding boost for its infrastructure as well as it’s engagement programme, ExChange, with approximately £3 million and £400,000 respectively awarded to drive forward research and research engagement in children’s social care.

This funding has been made possible thanks to the support of Health and Care Research Wales, whose SUSTAIN funding programme has provided the vital infrastructure to ensure the continued success and impact of CASCADE’s work in improving outcomes for children and families.

Transforming Children’s Social Care Research

The funding, running from April 2025 to March 2030, will allow the CASCADE partnership to advance the quality and capacity of research in children’s social care.

Our aims are to:

  • Enhance Research Quality: Investigate fundamental questions in children’s social care, including understanding causes of need and evaluating service impacts.
  • Inform Policy and Practice: Generate evidence-based insights to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
  • Strengthen Collaborations: Foster partnerships with national and international stakeholders to leverage expertise.
  • Engage the Public: Integrate the voices of young people, parents, and carers into the research process.
  • Support Researchers: Provide training and funded opportunities for early-career researchers and PhD students.

This programme will support a diverse range of roles within CASCADE, alongside dedicated time for researchers in SAIL Databank and Centre for Trials Research (CTR). Additionally, it lays the foundation for future awards, enabling growth across CASCADE and its partnerships.

ExChange: Engaging Communities for Change

ExChange Wales focuses on knowledge sharing and community engagement, enhancing the impact of research on children’s social care practice and policy. Following the success of the programme over the last 5 years, we’re very excited to continue to develop and grow the ExChange Wales network with new funding being awarded, running from April 2025 to March 2028.

A Transformative Opportunity

Reflecting on this funding milestone, Professor Donald Forrester, Director of CASCADE, shared:

“This £3M grant is a transformative investment in the future of children’s social care. It will enable us to continue conducting vital research that addresses the pressing needs of vulnerable children and their families. Our Partnership approach not only brings together leading experts from the UK and internationally to make significant strides but also involves and engages young people, parents, and carers with lived experience of social care. This ensures our findings are more relevant and impactful. We are incredibly thankful to Health and Care Research Wales for the award, which will significantly enhance our ability to continue to conduct essential research in children’s social care. By bringing together the expertise of our partners and actively involving those with lived experience, we are committed to driving meaningful change and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and their families. This funding is a crucial step towards bridging the knowledge gap in children’s social care”