Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre
What happened? On 15th April 2026, we travelled to Aberdeen to attend and present at the European Conference for Social Work Research. We presented to social work academics the following day about the work of our group, linking to our paper: Critical reflections on public involvement in research: Involving involuntary recipients of social services to improve research quality | The British Journal of Social Work… Read More
What makes the biggest difference to children and families? While new approaches and innovative ways of working are important, the quality of everyday conversations between practitioners, children and families remains at the heart of effective children’s social care. As part of CASCADE’s Summer 2026 focus on Developing Excellent Practice, we’re launching #GoodCommunicationMatters, a season of… Read More
Eight months after joining CASCADE as a placement student, psychology undergraduate Kalila reflects on the lessons she’s learned about research, confidence, collaboration and stepping outside her comfort zone. Approaching the Spark building on my first day at CASCADE, the air felt turbulent, the damp taste of rain wetting my lips as cool sunshine broke through… Read More
A new film co-produced with young people with lived experience and professionals has been launched by Action for Children and researchers at CASCADE, Cardiff University, to encourage discussion about how children affected by criminal exploitation are identified, supported and safeguarded across Wales. Our Paths, Our Voices accompanies a major study commissioned by Action for Children… Read More
In May, CASCADE staff Louise Roberts and Rachael Vaughan visited Italy for a knowledge exchange visit hosted by SOS Children’s Villages Italy, our team had the opportunity to share approaches to care-experienced young people’s participation in policy, practice and service development. The visit involved a series of meetings across Bologna, Florence and Rome with key… Read More
Two researchers from the Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE) at Cardiff University have been awarded personal funding through the Health and Care Research Wales Faculty’s Advancing Researcher Scheme. Dr Harriet Lloyd and Dr Lorna Stabler are among researchers from across Wales selected in the latest round of awards, all of which begin on 1 April 2026. Through the… Read More
We are delighted to celebrate Professor Andy Pithouse, who has recently been awarded an MBE for services to social care and education policy. Andy has made a significant and lasting contribution to social work research, both in Wales and internationally. His work has helped shape how social work is understood, studied and valued, influencing generations… Read More
Research from CASCADE, Cardiff University’s Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre, has been referenced in the Senedd during a discussion on the future of Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs) in Wales. During questions to the Counsel General, Rhys ab Owen MS highlighted the potential benefits of the FDAC approach and referred to evidence… Read More
Imagine you’re 13. You’ve been removed from your home. You’re living with people you didn’t choose, in a place you didn’t pick. Adults you’ve never met are writing reports about you, and a judge you’ve never seen is going to decide who you live with. Will you go home to your parents? Stay with your… Read More
CASCADE researchers Louise Roberts and Samantha Fitz-Symonds have contributed expert insight to a newly published Parliamentary briefing on improving outcomes for children in care. The report, Improving outcomes and support for children in care, was produced by the UK Parliament’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) to support evidence-informed policy development. It brings together… Read More
