Research-informed decision-making: learning from each other to develop research capacity and activity within South Tyneside Council whilst harnessing the benefits of a wider regional research support infrastructure

Research Question: Why, what, how, who, when and where can and should research be used and undertaken to inform local authority decision-making? Learning from each other to develop research capacity and activity within South Tyneside Council whilst harnessing the benefits of a wider regional research support infrastructure. Background: Health & social care organisations including local government face many challenges. These include an ageing population, more people living with long-term conditions and an increasing demand on services, coupled with ever-increasing scarcity of resources. Austerity and the consequent severe financial constraints, exacerbated by recent events due to COVID 19, mean that local governments are facing deep cuts in public spending (1)) and a situation where public health priorities may suffer (2). Under such circumstances, it is crucial that scarce resources are allocated and decisions are made in such a way to maximise effectiveness, efficiency and equity of services and so provide services that reflect local needs and priorities but ensure health and wellbeing of local populations are maximised. Given the challenges facing decision-makers in local governments, the need to utilise evidenced based approaches to aid local decision-making is crucial. A collaboratively developed research capacity tool kit that is fit for purpose and shaped by multiple stakeholders that can maximise the use and generation of research in South Tyneside Council is the overarching aim of this research proposal. Research Aim: To co-create a research capacity toolkit to enhance the research infrastructure within South Tyneside Council and existing regional research collaborations, to ensure decisions are research informed and made in such a way to maximise effectiveness, efficiency and equity, ensuring optimal maximisation of the health and wellbeing of local populations. Objectives: To conduct a research needs assessment to explore the research needs and capacity of South Tyneside Council in relation to identifying, undertaking, utilising and applying research and evidence to aid decision-making. To explore how South Tyneside Council interacts and collaborates as an active member of existing external research infrastructures both regionally and nationally, creating 'Äúa road map for research'Äù for use by the council. To synthesise findings and co-create in collaboration with the council, a research capacity framework building on existing platforms and gaps in the organisation related to research and its various components. To produce a research capacity development toolkit, incorporating the objectives above. Methods: This will involve multiple methods including scoping of data and documents, focus groups and interviews, evidence mapping and a consensus development workshop. Impact: This piece of work will provide a co-created research capacity toolkit that is relevant to the strategic aims of South Tyneside Council and is readily useable by employees engaged with strategic objectives. Furthermore, it will harness the benefits of further engagement and collaboration with an external research infrastructure provided by a range of organisations across the region who provide extensive expertise, support, skills and strategic direction. This will facilitate the Council'Äôs capacity to further shape not only its own research strategy but that of the wider regional research footprint.