Conclusions

A prevailing image from recent research on the promotion of evidence-based practice in adult social care is one of a difficult, slow, and unsteady walk. Practitioners are encouraged to travel with new resources and promising interventions in workplaces that contend with growing demand, resource restraint, and high staff turnover. Faced with such countervailing pressures, might lead some to be concerned that the agenda for the use of research evidence is faltering or perhaps even taking steps backward. The present study offers further empirical evidence to signal a challenging environment, alongside affirmations that adult social care staff nevertheless seek to engage with research. Where this study adds to existing enquiries on the use of research evidence in practice is through gathering the perspectives of diverse practitioner groups across an entire organisational setting in adult social care. Different patterns of engagement draw attention to the capacities for action of specific groups of staff, and how their interests might offer the basis for wider innovations in practice. With respect to improving decision making in adult social care organisations, this study points to prospects for the further application of evidence from research. This includes the need to facilitate greater experiential and interprofessional learning alongside a focus on the responsibilities for action from those in senior roles and the need for training – and post-training support – that better reflects the interests and capabilities of diverse staff groups at all levels of adult social care organisations.